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"Thank you for honouring some of the issues we all care so much about with your time and with your words." - James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Ottawa (23 Sept. 2013) - Each year, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) offers four $1500 scholarships that reflect its pursuit of equal opportunity for all workers. They are offered to the children of the National Union's 340,000 members who are starting a post-secondary education.
"On behalf of the National Union, I want to congratulate the winners of the 2013 scholarships but most importantly, I want to thank everyone who submitted essays," said James Clancy, NUPGE National President. "We are impressed, year after year, at the quality of the writing and the passion applicants have for making our world a better place. Thank you for honouring some of the issues we all care so much about with your time and with your words."
NUPGE Scholarship winners
The National Union is pleased to announce that this year, entries were received for all four scholarships.
Tommy Douglas Scholarship
Michael Kennedy is the son of John Kennedy, a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE). In his essay, Michael recognized that: “Tommy Douglas'...determination and commitment in acting for the common good of the common man... puts him in a special place in Canadian history for all to admire and appreciate.”
Scholarship for Aboriginal Canadians
Nicolas Sorge is the son of Richard Sorge, a member of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE). In his essay, Nicolas focused on the predominately OPSEU/NUPGE staffed Ontario Clean Water Agency's (OCWA) role in providing community water crisis management. By focusing on a water disruption caused by fire in the isolated community of Pikangikum, which was quickly resolved by the OCWA Emergency Response Team (OERT), he reflected that, “The Ontario Clean Water Agency has demonstrated the importance of quality pubic services in enhancing the quality of life of Aboriginal Canadians.”
Scholarship for Visible Minorities
Chanda-LaBrè Bailey is the daughter of Crystal Bailey-Dill, a member of Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU/NUPGE). In examining a number of publicly funded and/or staffed programs across the country, whose mandates are to assist visible minorities in a variety of ways, she concludes that, “(P)ublic service programs are delivered with the highest quality with realistic goals and opportunities for visible minorities in Canada. Through employment, education, housing and financial resources, the quality of life of visible minorities in Canada will continue to be enhanced.”
Terry Fox Memorial Scholarship
Jordan Waterbury is the son of Jennifer Pope-Waterbury, a member of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE). Jordan wrote, “The public service is of the utmost importance to people with disabilities, as it...affects our everyday lives, when and where the private sector may leave shortfalls or may not be profitable enough to pursue. It is also a major, equal opportunity employer, and gives opportunities where prospects for the future may be bleak...through jobs, education and the ability to keep us healthy, functioning participating members of society. A world and country without the provision of public services to enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities would be very bleak indeed.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE