Recently, the Federal Court of Canada approved a Final Settlement Agreement of a class action for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who experienced racial discrimination during their military service. While this is a victory for those workers, the government of Canada still has a lot of work ahead.
“This is a step in the right direction, but the fight on the hands of those who have suffered racism in the federal government goes on,” said UNE National President Alisha Kang. “There are 45,000 more past and present federal government workers waiting for this government to recognize the discrimination that has gone on for the last 50 years.”
Link – Statement by the Minister of National Defence on the Settlement of the Canadian Armed Forces Systemic Racism Class Action
Yesterday, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre was asked about newly-elected American President Donald Trump’s proclamation that the country will only recognize two genders – male and female. Mr. Poilievre boldly agreed and said that he was only aware of two genders. The clip is also making rounds on social media platforms such as Tik tok.
UNE strongly condemns this viewpoint. “It saddens me that this rhetoric is being so blatantly flaunted by someone who aspires to be the leader of our government,” said Alisha Kang, UNE National President. “Canada has its own values and for everyone who has worked so hard to create space for all people we don’t want to see those gains rolled back. We will not be discouraged. Everyone deserves a safe, inclusive workplace. UNE will continue to ensure all feel welcome.”
The Union of National Employees is strongly devoted to safeguarding, promoting and advancing human rights. While all unions have a rich history of advocating for human rights, our members are especially proud of our dedication to this cause. In essence, we believe diversity is richness; our membership’s diversity is a core element of what helps us grow and move forward.
Please reach out to your union siblings, including members of your Human Rights Committee. `
Public Sector Pride Network (PSPN) Gender Expression and Identity Committee: A safe place for trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary employees to connect and support each other. If you would like to join this committee, email us : pspn-rffp@csps-efpc.gc.ca
Organizational Pride Network Contacts: Connect with your local or national Pride Network or Positive Space Ambassadors for community and support.
In addition to these. you can reach out to a trusted colleague, a mentor, a mental health or community-based resource available to you, such as:
Trans Lifeline: (support for transgender people by transgender people) 1-877-330-6366
LGBT Youth Line: Text 647-694-4275
Interligne : (Services d’écoute, d’intervention et de sensibilisation pour la communauté LGBTQ+) Téléphone + texto 1-888-505-1010
Aide aux Trans du Québec : (soutien pour les personnes trans, non binaires et en questionnement) 1-855-909-9038
My journey has begun! The first leg of my trip begins here in Moncton, New Brunswick with a layover in Montreal and then arriving in Winnipeg to join Ruby Langan and Lenora Maracle on this incredible experience.
The goal of this trip is to pay homage to Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls, to connect with Indigenous communities and to gain more insights on challenges faced by Indigenous women of Winnipeg.
I have been invited to join this inspirational journey as UNE’s National Equity Representative for Women and I am proud and excited to be part of this taskforce.
We pledge to share what we learn with all of you!
XO
***
I slept the entire way to Montreal, almost as if my body is aware and preparing for the heaviness that it is about to face. Refueling here at the Pork and Pickle in the Airport, I feel like I will also sleep on my next flight.
As someone living with daily chronic pain, this journey is not an easy one for me to make but nothing will stop me from being apart of this.
Saturday, December 28th, 2024
Unfortunately, Ruby’s plane was delayed significantly. She arrived at the hotel in the wee hours of the morning and so we will be delaying our day accordingly.
The plan today is to meet some insightful individuals for lunch at Forks before heading the Memorial Site of the MMIW. I feel it is very important to prepare. While I am excited for what is to come, I know that this learning will be very emotional and the topic, very sensitive and heavy. We are here to honor, respect and to learn.
I am going to meet Lenora for breakfast. Let the mingling begin.
***
Lenora, and I were joined by our union sister Frances and the three of us sat in a circle and created bundles of sacred tobacco in red cloths as offerings for today and tomorrow. Once Ruby joined us, we headed out to meet Manitoba Elder Barbara Nepinak. We ate lunch together and then Barbara led us through the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. We observed many exhibitions including the Witness Blanket, Strength in Numbers, Indigenous Perspectives, the protection of human rights, Canada’s evolving legal framework such as the precedence of the Duty to accommodate the case of Tawney Meiorin, the turning points of humanity and the list goes on. One could easily spend days in this museum. It succeeds in showing the atrocities lived, the battles fought, wars and fights, all that led to the Human rights gains that we are privileged with today. One thing is clear, there is still much work to be done.
The museum showed that #Searchthelandfill campaign has gained ground and they have been able to narrow down the area where the remains of the victims may be recovered. Especially with the recent remains found at the Saskatchewan Landfill, this brings weight to the need to search the Prairie Green Landfill, and more importantly, to accept that these searches may be necessary no matter where you are from, the color of your skin, your economic class…families need closure. Everyone deserves the same level of care and thought.
Feeling very overwhelmed, I found myself needing to leave this space. The heat and nausea had become too much for me and I needed fresh air. We took this opportunity to walk through the Forks Park, enjoying its beauty, the sparkling lights, the sculptures as well as sacred areas such as the Oodena Celebration Circle, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Memorial site. We stopped at the memorial where we made a prayer, smudged and made an offering of tobacco near the red handprints painted on rounded stones, adding to the already charged moment.
Our last stop of the day was at the Forks Market where we perused a few shops including Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique and Manitobah. I am the proud new owner of winter boots, Buffalo sage, art and a bracelet that I plan to gift my daughter when I return home.
***
Sitting in my hotel room now, quiet, and alone, I feel heavy with the weight of today but also feel infused with renewed hope and purpose. Today was a deep, meaningful day of learning.
Sunday, December 29th, 2024
Preparing for day 2 of this taskforce mission. The plan today is to visit the Prairie Green Landfill site, healing lodge and the MMIW Mural. If time permits, we may visit a women’s shelter. I feel very excited for today but still feel heaviness in my heart. Deep breaths.
***
Our day began with some more shopping for supplies that we will be donating to the homeless during our walk with Morgan’s Warriors. Our next stop was at the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Mural which is a painting that stands about fifteen stories high and depicts an Indigenous woman in a ceremonial outfit holding a feather high in the air with a full moon behind her. The artist, Jeannie White Bird, is a member of the Rolling River First Nation and she named her mural Giizaagiigo, an Anishinaabemowin word meaning “you are loved”. Ruby, Lenora, Frances and I smudged, offered a prayer and sacred tobacco at the site, awed by its majestic beauty.
We then drove to the Landfill site which is located in Stony Mountain on the outskirts of Winnipeg. We drove past flat plains (my first site of them!) before turning down a long road leading us to the Healing Lodge which was unfortunately closed and would not open until the New Year. We still smudged, offered a prayer and sacred tobacco. The Healing Lodge sits right in front of the Landfill and is a space dedicated to grieving families of lost loved ones. One grieving grandmother of the serial killer’s victim said: the healing lodge will let her stay “close to my girl…this way, I can stay close and kind of keep an eye and watch”. It is also a space for searchers to eat and rest while they do their work.
On our way back, we visited a special place called Sunshine House. This place is a drop-in and resource center who focuses on harm reduction and social inclusion. It is a safe space for people to stop and get warm, have a bite to eat, change clothes, have a shower, etc. They offer STD rapid tests. They alert the community when they are made aware of the circulation of dangerous drugs and offer many other programs. They have a focus on the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, as well as Indigenous communities but are open to all. They also have a Mobile Overdose Prevention Site for those struggling with addictions. We asked them how we, as a union and activists, can learn from them, can do for them and we have set up a follow up for June of this year. Hopefully a second site visit.
For supper, we stopped to get a bite to eat at this fantastic little restaurant named Manoomin within the Indigenous-owned Wyndham Garden Hotel which sits on the Long Plain First Nation. The food was amazing. I had my first taste of Bison meat which was delicious. During our meal, we discussed the importance of Indigenous-owned businesses and how we need to continue to support them and how we can do that. Ruby, Lenora, Frances and I thought that working on a resolution that would allow us to make use of Indigenous-owned businesses as an exception to pouring all of our funds into union-based businesses would be a great start. This would be added to our Taskforce’s mission.
With our bodies nourished and warmed up, we were ready to meet up with Morgan’s Warriors. An Indigenous women-led outreach group founded by Melissa Robinson and Elle Harris to honor Morgan Harris’ memory (one of the Winnipeg Serial Killer’s victim, suspected to be in Prairie Green Landfill). This group is rooted in love and profound commitment to her legacy and this volunteer group aims to address the unmet needs Morgan experienced while living on the streets of Winnipeg. On top of bringing food and warm clothing to the homeless, the warriors also search and dispose of dirty needles, search boarded up abandoned houses to make sure no one is in distress in them. They are also trained on administering Naloxone. We provided them with our donations of Kleenex, wipes, feminine products and Tim Horton’s gift cards as well as warm clothing. Melissa and her husband Chris are involved in the search of the Prairie Green landfill and so we were able to gain more insight on challenges and progresses made. These are incredible individuals doing incredible things.
Sadly, I had to leave before my sisters (Frances and Ruby) because I have to catch an early flight tomorrow morning. Tonight though, will stay with me forever.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Wake up time this morning is 4:30 AM. Flight is set to take off at 7 AM. If all goes well, I should be home by suppertime.
I feel blessed and grateful for the last few days. I also feel very privileged for the life that I live and platform I have been given. The work has only begun.
Your UNE regions invite you to participate in the National Capital Region’s Combined Regional Seminar scheduled to take place at the Chateau Cartier Hotel in Gatineau, QC from February 27 to March 2, 2025.
As a UNE member, your participation is fully funded and there is zero cost to you.
This seminar is for participants from the four NCR-based regions:
Regional Seminars are packed with presentations, workshops and training that will give you the knowledge and tools to help you and your members. They are also a wonderful place to meet other activists and forge long-lasting friendships.
UNE will fund two (2) participants and an additional (1) youth participant per Local. Preference will be given to:
The Local President or designate
A member who has not previously attended a seminar should be given priority
A youth member (age 35 or younger as of December 31, 2026).
Locals should also encourage the participation of equity members and may send additional members at the Local’s expense.
Youth Delegates to Convention
At each seminar, regions will elect two (2) Youth Delegates and alternates to the 2026 Convention. To be eligible, Youth members must be 35 or under in the year of the Triennial Convention (2026, in Montreal, QC). UNE encourages your participation, so you don’t miss out on these delegate seats at the Triennial.
Travel, Accommodations and Meals paid by UNE
Participants will be expected to arrive for on-site registration at 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening, February 27, 2025. Accommodations will be arranged for delegates to spend three nights at the hotel for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as activities are scheduled to take place into the evenings. The Seminar ends on Sunday, March 2 at 12:00p.m.
Your travel to and from the Seminar is paid for by UNE. If you are driving, track your kilometres and provide a google map of your trip. Your stay at the hotel is also paid by UNE, with no upfront cost to you. You will also receive a per diem covering meals that are not provided.
Union Leave and Leave Letters
UNE will reimburse your loss of salary while you are attending the Seminar. Some employers (Treasury Board, Parks Canada) require you to submit a Union Leave Letter. UNE encourages you to advise your employer of your intent to participate upon receiving this communication. Once the final selection has been made, UNE will issue the leave letters. Your pay will not be interrupted. (For example, if you are scheduled to work on the Friday, you submit a Leave Request and provide your supervisor with the UNE-issued Leave Letter).
Other employers will request you to take leave without pay. In this case, you will be reimbursed your loss of salary directly by UNE. Either way, we want to be sure you don’t miss a beat and that your salary and expenses for attending the event are taken care of.
Apply today!
You must apply by Friday, January 17, 2025. Applications are then sent to the regional team for final selection. Unfortunately, we will not consider late applications.
O’Siyo ᎣᏏᏲ “o-si-yo,” (Cherokee: I see you) Hello and Bonjour Union Members,
As the year comes to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your trust and support. It is an honour to stand alongside you, fighting for your rights and strengthening our collective voice.
This season invites reflection, and I find myself thinking about how far we have come as a labour movement—and how much further we must go. Together, we have achieved great strides, but the journey continues. I encourage each of us to consider our individual contributions to creating a world where we can all grow and thrive.
As a collective, let us continue to heal, strive for justice, and aim higher in the year ahead.
From my heart to yours, I wish you a joyous holiday season, and a Happy New Year.
In solidarity,
Alisha Kang National President Union of National Employees
NCR REVP Ruth Lau McDonald, Hayley Millington and RVAC Co-Chair Edith Nganga
On Thursday, December 12, 2024, UNE’s National Executive Vice-President, Hayley Millington, was recognized for her work done with the PSAC’s Racially Visible Action Committee (RVAC) in the National Capital Region.
Hayley served as co-chair of the committee along with Carl Laguerre from 2014-15 and has continued over the years to be involved and offer mentorship to others.
“I’m very proud of the work achieved and the conversations we’ve had at these committees,” said Millington. “This has always been a safe place for me and I’m honoured to be recognized by such a fabulous group of activists.”
The meeting Thursday celebrated Human Rights Day (December 10) and was filled with a variety of speakers and performers, along with amazing food for all.
The Racially Visible Action Committee (RVAC) is made up of visible minority Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members who have come together to focus on the elimination of racism and to ensure a system free from discrimination as well as one that is committed to fairness and mutual respect.
I asked several people what Human Rights Day meant to them. This is what they spoke to me…….
Human Rights Day (OBLIVION)
ask people what it means, I wonder what they’d say? would they know, or understand? is it just another day?
Oblivious to our privilege, Scurrying between this and that. Not a worry to worry, It seems. Basic needs, all met.
There are those that know none of this; They are oblivious to privilege too. Their focus is consumed by basic need. What will it take today? What will they have to do?
They have a right to life, But safety is not guaranteed. They have a right to dignity, But they seldom get what they need. Too many rights are a distant dream, wasting energy on those, futile. Focus is on what is needed, As life shrinks around that.
human rights what are they? and are they afforded to all? are they given? are they granted? are they something one can bestow? Then by what authority are they so routinely taken, Withheld from so many?
no really, I’m asking. what are they? I’d really like to know.
Michael Freeman UNE National Vice-President for Human Rights
The PSAC launches national pension campaign to urge the Trudeau government to respect workers and keep its hands off pensions.
The Liberal government’s plan to raid $9.3 billion from the federal public service pension surplus is a betrayal of Canada’s public service workers and sets the stage for other attacks on the pension security of millions of workers in Canada.
“This is a betrayal of trust,” said Sharon DeSousa, National President of PSAC. “Workers and the government contribute equally to this pension fund, but now the government is taking a break while workers are left to shoulder the burden.”
This reckless decision jeopardizes the retirement security of over 700,000 federal public service workers, retirees and thousands of territorial government employees.
The government’s pension scoop sets a dangerous precedent for millions of other workers across Canada, one that could pave the way for private and public employers alike to raid their own employees’ pension plans. This is more than a fight for public sector workers – a fight for everyone who believes in fairness, accountability and the retirement security of workers.
“If the federal government – the largest employer in the country – can raid its own workers’ pensions, what’s to stop other employers from doing the same?” said DeSousa.
It’s not too late for the Liberal government to do the right thing. PSAC has proposed three fair and reasonable solutions to address the pension surplus while protecting retirement security:
Reverse the Two-Tier System: Reverse the two-tier system introduced by the Harper government in 2012. Under the Harper changes, federal workers who started their jobs on or after January 1, 2013 must work five years longer to reach full retirement. This inequality is fundamentally unjust.
Equitable Retirement Options for Frontline Workers: Follow through on the government’s commitment to provide equitable retirement benefits for frontline public safety workers.
Suspend Employee Contributions: If the government gives itself a contribution holiday, workers who equally pay into the pension plan should get one too, ensuring fairness and equity.
This isn’t just about pensions; it’s about fairness, accountability, and doing the right thing for the workers who serve Canada every day,” said DeSousa.
Visit StopPensionTheft.ca for more information about the fight for fair pensions and a secure future for workers.
On December 6th, 1989, 14 young women from Polytechnique Montréal, were massacred in an act of violent misogyny. In 1991, Parliament established this day of mourning (December 6th) as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women which is informally known as White Ribbon Day.
On this day, we remember and take a moment to honour those who lost their lives to gender-based violence:
Geneviève Bergeron
Hélène Colgan
Nathalie Croteau
Barbara Daigneault
Anne-Marie Edward
Maud Haviernick
Maryse Laganière
Maryse LeClair
Anne-Marie Lemay
Sonia Pelletier
Michèle Richard
Annie St. Arneault
Annie Turcotte
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Gender-based violence remains prominent world-wide. The latest report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Women shows that femicide is rising around the world. This type of violence disproportionately impacts those with multiple intersection grounds of oppression. For example, Indigenous women are six times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women.
Much more needs to be done to prevent violence against women, to stop its escalation and provide adequate services to survivors and punish perpetrators.
Actions you can take:
Wear a white ribbon
Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 AM
Attend a vigil in our community
Share a National Day of Remembrance Post
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (From November 25th to December 10th) and use the #16Days
End Impunity by holding perpetrators accountable and establishing zero tolerance of violence against women and girls
Adopt, implement and fund National Action Plans to end violence against women and girls
Invest in prevention and women’s rights organizations to ensure rights and access to essential services for survivors
Attend an event in your community to show your support to victims and survivors
Consider donating to a local shelter
This is a day to reflect on violence against women in our society. It is a day on which communities and individuals can come together, speak out, and take action to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. We must remain committed to a future without violence against women.
Mireille Jaillet UNE National Equity Representative for Women
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), observed annually on December 3, is a powerful reminder to celebrate the achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992, this day also highlights the persistent challenges they face. The 2024 theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” emphasizes a profound truth: persons with disabilities are not merely participants in the fight for inclusivity—they are its leaders. Their lived experiences, insights, and determination are essential for shaping workplaces, communities, and systems that serve everyone equitably.
Union Activism is Catalyst for Change. As a union leader and activist, I see every day how systemic barriers hold back persons with disabilities in Canadian workplaces. Despite legislative protections such as the Accessible Canada Act, many workers still struggle to access equal opportunities and equitable treatment. Unions are uniquely positioned to challenge these inequities and fight for a future where disability inclusion is embedded in every aspect of the workplace.
Unions play a critical role in dismantling these barriers. Union activism is about more than advocating for accessibility—it’s about demanding systemic change, fostering equity, and creating workplaces that offer meaningful opportunities for leadership and growth for persons with disabilities. Together, we stand in solidarity to challenge exclusion and build a culture of inclusion and justice.
Breaking Down Barriers in Canada. While Canada has made strides in promoting accessibility, significant gaps remain: (i) The employment rate for persons with disabilities lags behind national averages; (ii) Many workplaces are not fully accessible, perpetuating exclusion; (iii) Leadership roles in both public and private sectors rarely include persons with disabilities, depriving organizations of diverse perspectives and innovative ideas. These challenges persist not because of a lack of solutions but because of a lack of will to implement them. This must change.
Helen Keller, a pioneering disability rights activist, once said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Her words resonate deeply with the union movement, emphasizing the power of collective action to create meaningful change. Similarly, Swami Vivekananda, an Indian philosopher, reminds us of the strength within: “All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not believe that you are weak.”
These quotes inspire us to recognize the resilience and potential of persons with disabilities while uniting as allies to champion their leadership and rights.
To me the leadership is not just about holding positions of authority—it’s about influencing change and shaping policies that reflect the lived experiences of those they impact. To achieve this vision, we need to: (i) Empower Leadership by Support persons with disabilities in leadership roles within unions, workplaces, and communities to ensure their perspectives shape the future; (ii) Demand Accountability by advocating for policies and practices that go beyond compliance, focusing instead on equity, dignity, and meaningful participation; and (iii) Foster Collaboration by working together—unions, employers, policymakers, and communities—to address systemic barriers and create truly inclusive spaces.
As we mark IDPD 2024, I urge union members, allies, and all Canadians to reflect on their role in creating a truly inclusive society. Let us recognize the leadership potential of persons with disabilities, celebrate their contributions, and work collectively to dismantle systemic barriers.
Unions have always been about collective power and justice. This IDPD, let us renew our commitment to a future where every individual—regardless of ability—can lead, contribute, and thrive. Together, we can build a Canada that values every voice, embraces inclusivity, and leaves no one behind.
Prabir Roy is the UNE National Equity Representative for Persons with Disabilities.
