Dear ATU delegates and friends,

I am proud to welcome you all to the 2023 ATU Canada Conference in the beautiful City of Calgary, Alberta. First, we acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Tyaxe Nakada Nations, the Metis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Our theme this year is built on the strength and resilience of ATU members who have been on the front lines in the most challenging of times and continue STANDING STRONG!

Since the last time we met ATU members have continued to demonstrate their commitment and dedication to keep transit moving, and their tenacity in navigating through times of political unrest, workplace violence, assaults, avoidable workplace accidents, COVID recovery challenges, underfunding of transit, and the recent poor air quality challenges as forest fires rage across the country.

United, we have persevered through strikes, labour unrest, engaged in political action, new organizing, forged new relationships with affiliates and various communities – all while continuing to move over 100 million riders per month.

This conference allows us the opportunity to come together to listen, learn, share experiences, and best practices that will help shape our paths forward. I encourage you to take time to meet delegates from other Locals and build relationships because staying connected as one massive ATU family is how we build our power from coast to coast.

When employers and governments threaten our workers’ rights or try to bring in union-busting contract wording or legislation – it’s our unity that gives us power and commands attention. Our actions over the past year alone were bolstered by our visibility in the media – when we showed the world that we are One ATU – and in solidarity with our labour affiliates the labour movement is also Standing Strong!

The foundation of ATU Canada is built on the 34,000 members who continue STANDING STRONG and keep this country moving. Working with transit professionals like all of you make it an honour to lead ATU Canada.

Welcome to the ATU CANADA 2023 Conference!

In Solidarity,

John Di Nino
ATU Canada President