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"This new team of leaders at the CLC is exciting! We've elected people who are firmly committed to our core values of fairness, equality and respect. They are inclusive and determined to focus on organizing the unorganized, continuing the fight for workers’ rights and for giving the tools to members to activate in their own communities.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Ottawa (18 June 2021) —Today, in landslide victories, delegates from coast to coast to coast who gathered virtually at the 2021 Convention, elected new leaders of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
The executive board of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) endorsed Team Unite, consisting of Bea Bruske, Lily Chang and Siobhan Vipond, encouraging its members to vote to support the women. While not officially part of Team Unite, the slate endorsed Larry Rousseau in his bid for 1 of the 2 Vice-President positions.
Progressive, experienced leadership
Bea Bruske, a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), was elected as President of the CLC. It’s the first time in over 35 years that a woman will lead the national Congress which represents over 3 million workers across the country. Bruske has been an leader in the labour movement in Manitoba, representing tens of thousands of members in the health care, food production, retail, non-profit and security sectors. She has also served as Vice-President of the UFCW Canada National Council which represents over 250,000 members.
Lily Chang, a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), was elected to the position of the CLC Secretary-Treasurer. Chang’s history and experience as Treasurer of her local has been marked by her achievement of bringing financial stability back to CUPE 79. In her thirteen years as Treasurer, Lily oversaw a revitalized strike fund, implemented strong financial practices, and led an IT overhaul that involved a new website and member portal system. While managing staff, as well as service and maintenance contracts, she also led the acquisition of the local’s own building in downtown Toronto, further ensuring the financial prosperity of the organization.
Delegates overwhelmingly supported the election of Siobhan Vipond, a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and Larry Rousseau, a member of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, to the positions of Vice-President.
Vipond’s experience as a union leader in Alberta makes her a strong defender of fairness, inclusion and workers’ rights. Guided by principles of collectivism and social justice, Vipond served as the Alberta Federation of Labour’s Secretary-Treasurer, helping to lead its “Join the Resistance” campaign, pushing back against the numerous cuts being implemented by Jason Kenny’s conservative government. Under Vipond’s leadership, the AFL launched the Fair Start Campaign for Universal Early Childhood Education and Care in Alberta and is also the driving force behind labour’s increased participation in Pride events.
Rousseau was the only candidate seeking re-election. Rousseau was first elected to the position of Vice-President in 2017. Previously he served as the Regional Vice-President of PSAC’s National Capital Region and as the Regional Vice-President of PSAC’s Union of National Employees. Rousseau has a long history of trade union and political activism, particularly on issues like labour relations, health and safety, human rights, and equity. His involvement in the LGBTQ2SI, anti-racism and peace movements has been an integral part of his engagement and commitment to social justice.
NUPGE excited to work with new leadership
“This new team of leaders at the CLC is exciting,” said Larry Brown, NUPGE President. “We've elected people who are firmly committed to our core values of fairness, equality and respect. They are inclusive and determined to focus on organizing the unorganized, continuing the fight for workers’ rights and for giving the tools to members to activate in their own communities.”
“We congratulate all the candidates on a good race and look forward to working with the new executive in the days and years to come,” said Brown.