Regional Executive Vice President in Northwest Territories

By Jack Bourassa, Regional Executive Vice President for the North   Defining poverty is not an easy undertaking. In Canada, different groups use different indicators to measure poverty, but no measure has been officially endorsed by the federal government. Using a proxy measure of poverty (Low Income Cut-Off), it has been shown that the average child poverty in Canada is 17%, while the percentage for indigenous children is as high as 60% in some Canadian jurisdictions.

By Jack Bourassa, Regional Executive Vice President for the North As published in the Yellowknifer, March 2016 For most of us Northerners, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) don’t mean much. We’re busy worrying about the price of food, the health of our loved ones and our land, the security of our jobs (or lack thereof), and at best keeping up with local politics. And when FTAs are negotiated in secrecy, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), it makes it virtually impossible to understand their ramifications.

It was inspiring to meet so many dedicated union leaders at the latest Union Development Program session in Vancouver, B.C. I know each and every one of our members will return to their workplaces reinvigorated with a passion to improve conditions for our members. Read all about my activities in my REVP report and find out more about UDP in our next newsletter. 

Bargaining, political action and mobilization - it's been busy! Read more in my REVP report.

By Jack Bourassa, REVP North As published in the Yellowknifer, June 24 Canadians from every walk of life came together to commemorate National Aboriginal Day this week, an important celebration that embraces the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country.

PSAC North members have been encountering tough labour practices by communities across the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, leading to strikes in fort Smith, Hay River and potential job action at Nunavut’s Qulliq Power Corporation. Zero per cent wage offers have been the norm, with considerable efforts being invested to educate the public about the danger of such poor treatment of Northern workers. Read more in my REVP report. 

The Seventeenth National Triennial Convention of the Public Service Alliance of Canada will be held at the Québec City Convention Centre in Québec City, Québec beginning Sunday, April 26 and concluding Friday, May 1, 2015.PSAC North Regional Caucus will take place Sunday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m. If you would like to take part in the caucus, ensure you arrange your travel to arrive on Saturday, April 25.

With the next federal election quickly looming, our efforts are shifting to campaigns that will ensure we oust Stephen Harper’s Conservatives come Election Day. Read about our efforts in detail in my REVP Report.

By Jack Bourassa, PSAC North Regional Executive Vice President As published in the Yellowknifer, June 2015

Political Action Symposium