17th Unifor Quebec Council

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Delegates at Quebec Regional Council.
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The 17th Unifor Quebec Council was held in Montreal on the weekend of November 25-27. It was the first Quebec Council since the election of the new Quebec Director, Daniel Cloutier.

The Council got under way with a report from Cloutier, who outlined the many issues the union is currently facing, both in workplaces and at the political level. Cloutier also presented two recommendations, the first, dealing with sexual and reproductive health rights and the second, requesting support for women in Iran.

Cloutier also made a presentation on the current state of affairs at Unifor Quebec and on his vision for its future, which was warmly welcomed by the delegates in attendance.

Cloutier also announced the heartfelt departure of John Caluori, Assistant to the Quebec Director, who will be retiring on Dec. 31. Following the announcement of Caluori’s retirement, Cloutier introduced his new management team, consisting of Olivier Carrière as Executive Assistant Director, Myriam Germain as Assistant Director and Renaud Plante as Area Director.

Lana Payne, Unifor’s new National President, also addressed the Quebec Council delegation, fresh off a visit to the Suncor refinery in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que., with Local 175 leaders, who are about to kick off negotiations in the energy sector. She took the opportunity to thank the Quebec delegation for our support.

“I’d like to thank you all for your support and solidarity and for believing that a democratic, responsible and transparent union is not only possible, but worth fighting for – you are a very big part of the reason why I am standing before you today,” said Payne.

Election of the first woman chair of the Quebec Council

The Council ended with the election of the Quebec Council executive and standing committee members. Sophie Albert of Local 522 became the first woman to be elected chair of Unifor’s Quebec Council. Benoit Lapointe, who is the outgoing chair of the Council, had announced his retirement at the Quebec Council of April 2022.