The 7th Triennial Prairie Region Convention will be held April 21-23, 2017 in Winnipeg at the Fairmont Winnipeg.
Given that this date is earlier than in past years, locals, committees and area councils are asked to begin preparations in advance and consider the revised schedule for registration and resolution submissions when announced.
THE DATE:
In accordance with the PSAC Constitution, Section 16, Sub-Section (4)(c) Regional Triennial Conventions: "will take place within the period commencing 14 months and ending nine months prior to the PSAC National Triennial Convention."
Given that the next PSAC National Triennial Convention is scheduled for April 29-May 4, 2018 in Toronto, all Regional Triennial Conventions must be held between March and August 2017. We also must consider conflicting regional and component events, as well as hotel and venue availability. For this reason, April 21-23, 2017 was selected.
THE LOCATION:
Several major cities in Alberta were carefully considered, and proposals from venues were accepted, as per the resolution passed at the 6th Triennial Prairie Region Convention. Resolution BL-015 amended the Prairie Region By-Laws to ensure every effort is made to rotate through the three provinces of the Prairies.
Unfortunately, there were not enough unionized facilities and hotel spaces available to allow us to hold a Convention of our size in Alberta.
A memo issued by PSAC National President Robyn Benson stated, “PSAC Triennial Convention would not be held in a city where PSAC was not able to fully guarantee that every single delegate, observer and staff has accommodations in a unionized hotel.” The memo called on regions and components to follow these criteria when planning events.
THE DECISION:
In a series of conference calls, the Prairie Region Council discussed the various options available, including holding Convention in Winnipeg or Regina, and ultimately voted in favour of holding Convention in Winnipeg, April 21-23, 2017. Convention was last held June 27-29, 2014 in Saskatoon at TCU Place.
Prairie Region Council conference call minutes and the memo from Sister Benson “XO/28/15 – PSAC Use of Unionized Facilities and Services” are available on the PSAC Prairie Region website.
An official Convention call out will be distributed to all locals, committees and area councils in fall 2016 asking for delegate registration and resolutions. More information will be posted on the PSAC Prairies website as it becomes available.
We look forward to another great Prairies convention, April 21-23, 2017.
In Solidarity,
Marianne Hladun
Regional Executive Vice-President
Public Service Alliance of Canada, Prairies