On April 20th, RVP Shauna Ward and National President David Neufeld met with Member of Parliament from Portage-Lisgar, Branden Leslie, in the West Block on Parliament Hill. MP Leslie had asked to meet with the USJE representatives after attending USJE’s Public Safety Awards in Ottawa on April 15th. RVP Ward had reached out to MP Leslie with a personal invitation to attend the prestigious Third Annual Public Safety Awards where seven USJE members received awards for their contributions to public safety in Canada.
MP Leslie was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar on June 19, 2023. He was an advisor in the Stephen Harper Government on issues ranging from getting tough on crime, to protecting firearms rights, and advocating on behalf of farmers.
RVP Ward and National President Neufeld wanted to speak personally with MP Leslie around the important work that USJE members perform in keeping Canadians safe and some key issues that are currently impacting USJE members.
The representatives shared details regarding USJE’s ongoing Presumptive Injury Campaign, Budget Cuts Campaign and the recently released Correctional Program Officer Report entitled, Correctional Program Officers: Wellness, Safety, and the Responsibility of Rehabilitation. Prior to becoming a USJE RVP, Shauna had worked as an Indigenous Correctional Program Officer at Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
MP Leslie was very engaged in the conversation on key priorities for USJE members and identified an interest to conduct a site visit with RVP Ward and National President Neufeld in the coming months to better understand the work of front line USJE members.
MP Leslie shared a key interest in public safety and properly resourcing the important work of front-line public safety personnel.
RVP Ward and National President Neufeld are looking forward to reconnecting with MP Leslie in the near future and to continue these critical discussions.
USJE would like to thank MP Leslie for taking the time to meet in Ottawa and for his demonstration of support for USJE members by attending USJE’s 2026 Public Safety Awards.