To cap off USJE’s 2025 Regional Conferences, 16 representatives of USJE Quebec Locals met in Quebec City on Nov. 18 and 19, 2025. Delegates discussed USJE’s major directions and campaigns, they participated in workshops on the Workforce Adjustment Appendix, on USJE’s Triennial Convention, and they explored pay equity issues and key components of the Canada Labour Code.
The Quebec Regional Conference began on Nov.18 with a land acknowledgement by Regional Vice-President, Annie Blanchette. Following opening statements, USJE National President David Neufeld took the mic. President Neufeld began his remarks by sharing updates on USJE’s current and forthcoming campaigns. He placed special emphasis on the organization’s wide-ranging approach to the federal government’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review. This federal review will require many departments to cut their budgets by 15% over the next three years. President Neufeld reiterated that USJE remains firmly dedicated to standing up for its members and safeguarding their jobs.
USJE National Staff Directors then provided departmental updates, outlining the accomplishments, challenges and plans for USJE national office in terms of its Finance and Administration, Labour Relations and Communications work.
Following this, delegates participated in a short photo and video workshop, as well as a session on sharing their visuals with the USJE National office. Congratulations to the winner of the photo and video contest, Mélissa Nolin!
After lunch, PSAC’s Lead staff on Workforce Adjustment, Erin Sirett provided a thorough presentation on the Workforce Adjustment Appendix (WFA). The WFA is a mechanism enshrined in the collective agreement of many federal public service workers.
The first day of the Conference agenda came to a close with a session on Convention training. With USJE’s 2026 Triennial Convention slated to begin on July 13, 2026, delegates paid particular attention.
The second day of the Conference opened on Nov. 19 and featured France Filion, a PSAC Classification and Pay Equity Officer. France outlined the key tenets of Pay Equity for Federal Employees and engaged delegates in a thoughtful examination of the issues.
Throughout the full conference, delegates had the opportunity to learn more about the Joint Learning Program. JLP staff, Michaëlle Antoine and Andrée Damphousse, spoke about the JLP’s mandate to improve workplace relationships and to deepen understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the union and the employer.
The conference ended with a thorough presentation on “Health and Safety and the Canada Labour Code” by Pascal Lauzon, PSAC Union Representative. Pascal noted that the better USJE members understand their rights, the more they will be able to benefit from them and in turn, ensure that they are respected!
After a busy two days, USJE Quebec Conference delegates returned to their home Locals, ready to keep moving the union movement forward. Simultaneously, USJE celebrated the successful completion of our five 2025 Regional Conferences.
USJE’s next major event will be our 2026 Triennial Convention, taking place in Québec City, Quebec, from July 13 – 17, 2026.