Letters

PSAC members throughout the Prairie Region stand together with the residents of La Loche, Saskatchewan as they mourn the victims of last week’s shooting. Four people lost their lives and another seven were injured in this terrible tragedy. On behalf of all members in the Prairie Region, we would like to express solidarity and sympathy with the residents, including some of our members who live in the community, and all who have been affected. Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of the victims during a time of unimaginable hardship and grief.

We are currently seeking volunteer representatives to sit on the Steering Committee for the Prairies Regional Racially Visible Conference, to be held in fall 2016.

The 7th Triennial Prairie Region Convention will be held April 21-23, 2017 in Winnipeg at the Fairmont Winnipeg.

The 21st Annual AFL Kids’ Camp, sponsored by the Alberta Federation of Labour, will be held August 3 - 7, 2015 at the Goldeye Centre near Nordegg.

Annual fundraising drives for United Ways across the Prairies have kicked off and we’re asking PSAC members to reach into their pockets and continue their pattern of giving generously. Supporting this important community-focused charity is one of the best and most effective ways to reach out into your local community.

Please see the attached below notice from PSAC National President Robyn Benson regarding boycotting National Public Service Week activities in June.I respectfully ask that Prairies members not participate in activities in your workplace, whether employer or employee sponsored, and that you encourage other members to do the same.

March 8 is International Women’s Day, an annual celebration of women’s economic, political and social achievements. The 2014 theme for the internationally recognized day is “Inspiring Change”. It calls attention to the positive gains made, but the inequities that still exists and the work we have left to do.

On December 6 we recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a time to honour the countless women throughout Canada and around the world who are victims of violence in their lives, including the 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal who were murdered in 1989 because they were women.

On December 3 we recognize the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day to bring awareness and understanding to the issues that affect the lives of persons with disabilities every day. It’s also a day to hold the government to account for their responsibilities to persons with disabilities from coast to coast to coast.

November 20 is the annual Trans Day of Remembrance, a day dedicated to transgender, transsexual, and two-spirit individuals who have been killed or have been victims of violent attacks based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Sadly, these kinds of attacks are all too frequent and transgender peoples have no legislated protection.