New Brunswick Federation of Labour holds 56th convention in Saint John
The 56th New Brunswick Federation of Labour Convention was held at the Delta Hotel in Saint John, N.B., on May 26, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Avery MacRae)
Delegates representing over 40,000 New Brunswick workers in both the public and private sector have travelled to Saint John for the 56th New Brunswick Federation of Labour (NBFL) convention.
With a theme of 'Workers United for a Beter Tomorrow,' the biannual three-day meetup aims to tackle issues facing workers in the province. The work done at the conference will set the agenda for the NBFL until the next convention in two years.
'One of the things that makes the Federation unique is when you get the different perspectives of the private and public sector,' says NBFL interim president Chris Watson.
'You get different perspectives, but we all really come together for a common goal and that's to address workers issues and push forward labor as a united front.'
Over 20 resolutions will be debated and voted upon by the end of the convention. Some of the top issues being discussed include the pending potential Canada Post strike, the impact of a recently elected Liberal government in New Brunswick, and the ripple effects of the on-going trade war with the U.S.
When it comes to tariff talk, Watson says the conversation is centred around breaking down interprovincial trade barriers. He wants to ensure it is done in a way that protects the health and safety of workers.
'Worker safety is ultimately number one,' Watson says. 'And when we're talking about this sort of stuff, we need to make sure that we're not in a race to get these sorts of deals done.'
He hopes delegates leave the convention with a feeling of hope, which is reflected in the convention's theme.
The NBFL includes 16 affiliated unions, 282 locals, and six district labour councils. It is the largest central labour body in the province.
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Indigenous-led rally in Timmins opposes Bill 5
Indigenous youth led a protest Friday at the Mountjoy Conservation Historical Area in Timmins. The group rallied against Bill 5.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie won't run in next election
Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie announced on Saturday morning that she will not be seeking re-election at the end of her term. In a message posted on social media, Labrie said her hope for change has 'become too fragile' and she feels 'cynical' about what she sees in the National Assembly. 'Partisan politics are exhausting me, and I don't want to let that happen. I have to leave. I need to go and find my hope elsewhere before it dies out. I'm sure you will understand,' Labrie wrote. The Québec Solidaire (QS) MNA thanked voters for their renewed confidence over the past seven years. 'I will do everything I can to honour it until the end of my term, and then I will look for other ways to get involved in advancing the social project that you have seen me carry out since the beginning. I am sure I will find a way, because politics is not the only way to change things, as you show me every day,' Labrie said. QS co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal thanked abrie for her work within the party, while emphasising that she 'shares the sadness of Solidaire members across Quebec.' 'You have been a driving force in all our struggles, a valuable ally on all our issues and a strong voice on the issues that were close to both our hearts, such as education and women's rights,' Ghazal wrote on social media, addressing Labrie. Labrie was first elected as representative for the Sherbrooke riding in 2018. During her years with QS, she served as spokesperson for the second opposition group on women's issues, education and family matters. With a master's degree in history and a doctorate in women's studies from the University of Ottawa, Labrie was a lecturer at the University of Sherbrooke before her election to the National Assembly. Her announcement comes a few months after the party's former co-spokesperson, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, stepped down. Nadeau-Dubois had been confronted with the surprise resignation of Émilise Lessard-Therrien. The former female spokesperson and MNA for Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue had slammed the door, citing her inability to bring about change in the party. Labrie had run for co-spokesperson, competing against hazal and Lessard-Therrien, who won the race. Labrie served as interim co-spokesperson after Lessard-Therrien's resignation, before Ghazal took office. A QS press officer said on Saturday that Labrie would not be giving any interviews about her departure until Monday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French June 7, 2025.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Construction underway at deeply affordable housing project in Kensington Market
What was once a parking lot in Kensington Market will soon be a four-storey building with deeply affordable homes. Construction of the 78-unit building at 35 Bellevue Avenue is underway. The project is part of the city's rapid housing initiative, which aims to create stable, supportive homes for those in need. "The majority of them will be 350-square-foot studios, so fairly compact, but will have everything you need," said Daniel Ling, a principal at Montgomery Sisam Architects. The common spaces include a communal kitchen, laundry facilities, ample bicycle parking and a private courtyard. "We wanted the residents to feel part of the community," he said. The building integrates wraparound support services, including meal programs, health care, education, and employment resources, making sure residents have the tools they need for long-term housing stability, Ling said. The building will be managed by St. Clare's Housing. "We have a very robust and successful tenant support model," said Andrea Adams, executive director of the organization. "It's one thing to house people but it's another to make sure they remain successfully housed, otherwise you're creating a revolving door of homelessness," she said. "Every time someone experiences homelessness, it's longer and harder, and you want to avoid that." The Kensington Market Community Land Trust says the project is a result of eight years of advocacy for the city to redevelop the underused lot into affordable housing. Ling says sustainability is also a priority. He hopes the mass timber structure — which also incorporates a green roof and solar panel system — serves as a model for future affordable housing builds that balance design and environmental responsibility. "On one hand we have to build a lot and build fast, on the other hand we have to find a sustainable way to build. This project is an example of tackling both issues in innovative ways."
