Tuesday September 21 2021
Now that results are in, Canada’s 44th Parliament, for much of the country, will look a lot like our 43rd Parliament – with a few notable changes that matter to our membership.
It was a time for gains by Jagmeet Singh and the federal NDP, who have played a supportive role at key moments for CUPW members at Canada Post and for workers generally. This is really something the labour movement can build on. And the Bloc Québecois and Green Party, also historically supportive of our campaigns and issues, are still represented in the House.
It was a quick campaign period of ups and downs, but there’s no future in saying this election should not have happened. We’ll focus on the things that did change, and our path ahead.
Delivering Community Power Champions
Once again, we felt the impact of our Delivering Community Power campaign and the hard work by our campaign coordinators. The vision, or at least some of its elements, appeared again in the major party platforms, except for the Conservatives.
This time, we asked candidates individually – and encouraged the electorate to urge their candidates with a petition – to endorse Delivering Community Power. One hundred and eighty (180) candidates pledged to be Delivering Community Power champions. A number of these candidates are now Members of Parliament, with whom we can work to make more of the vision a reality!
Allies in the Opposition
When back-to-work legislation has been tabled in the House of Commons, by both Liberal (Trudeau) and Conservative (Harper) majority governments, it is the NDP and the Bloc Québecois who have consistently opposed the legislation.
Both, though not as the official opposition, advocated for our rights in the House of Commons, and did all they could to protect our Charter rights while we tried to reach negotiated agreements.
Both of these parties also adopted much of the Delivering Community Power vision into their election platforms in 2019 and this year. We will make the most of this leverage during this government’s tenure.
Our duty is to you, to protect our members’ rights at work and advocate for the kinds of conditions in which you can work and live safely and in good health. With this government, the plans we already have in place are appropriate and we’ll soon get to work holding all parties to their commitments, and seeking bolder commitments from the federal government and Canada Post Corporation on the changes we need to keep the public postal service vital and sustainable, and to negotiate with our other employers for gains for all.
In all likelihood, our next round of negotiations with Canada Post will take place under this government, and the role we played as a third party in this election also lays groundwork for that.
Thanks to all members who got involved in the federal election – we’re sure it was a rewarding experience for you, and thanks on behalf of your co-workers as we continue the struggle for a better Canada for workers.
In solidarity,