AFL Convention Delegates Vote Overwhelmingly for Canadian Unity

EDMONTON – At the 54th AFL Constitutional Convention, delegates passed resolution #34, a strong statement in support of Canadian unity. It passed during a vote held this morning.

“On the eve of a Canadian election, I find it heartening that hundreds of Alberta union delegates, representing over 170,000 workers across the province, voted overwhelmingly for our unity resolution, making it clear that they won’t sit idly by while our premier further fans the flames of separatism,” said Gil McGowan, President of the AFL. “The workers we represent believe that their interests are best served within a united Canada, not an independent Alberta, and will fight any attempts to weaken our province’s position within Confederation.”

The full text of resolution #34 is below.

Resolution #34 Support for a Strong Alberta Within a United Canada

THE ALBERTA FEDERATION OF LABOUR WILL, through its Executive Council and staff, promote and circulate the following statement in support of Canadian unity and Alberta’s commitment to Confederation:

“This is a turning point for Canada. At a moment when our country faces one of the greatest threats to its very existence, there are Albertan voices speaking out against the national interest, attempting to resurrect the old ghosts of separatism. These voices seek to divide people rather than bring them together. It is time for all Albertans who believe in remaining within Canada to make themselves heard. Alberta workers will fight any attempts to pull Alberta out of the country we love, honour and cherish. We will stand firm against any attempts to weaken this province’s position within Confederation. We know that to safeguard our livelihoods and the rights we have won over many years, our position is far stronger in a united Canada than in an isolated, separate Alberta.

“Alberta workers will help push back against punitive trade measures that undermine our livelihoods. We will forge closer ties with our provincial, territorial, federal and Indigenous counterparts in the pursuit of a more harmonious and robust economy and society. We will defend and expand the hard-won social protections that make Canada one of the greatest countries to live in on earth. We will demand that our province’s leaders demonstrate their commitment to Canada through words and actions that advance nation-building efforts.

“Alberta workers will organize to promote and protect national unity and demonstrate the collective power we hold to build a stronger, fairer and more resilient Canada.”

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Laurence Miall
Director of Communications and Campaigns, AFL
Email: lmiall@afl.org