Dear ATU delegates and friends,

Welcome to the ATU Canada Conference 2026, as we gather in the historic city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

We acknowledge that as we gather in Halifax, we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. The Treaties of Peace and Friendship, which the Mi’kmaq, Welastekwiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726, cover this region. These treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but rather established the rules for an ongoing relationship between
nations. The people of the Mi’kmaw Nation have lived on this territory for millennia, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.

Halifax has played an important role in Canada’s history. Through Pier 21 alone, nearly one million immigrants arrived on these shores between 1928 and 1971, stepping off the ships and onto trains that carried them across the country. It was these newcomers, workers, and tradespeople who helped build Canada from the ground up, laying rail, working in our factories, and keeping our cities in motion. As we gather here in Halifax, we are reminded that the labour movement itself was built by people who crossed oceans in search of a better life, and that same spirit of determination continues to power the work we do for transit workers today.

Power in Motion is the theme for this year’s conference. It reflects the energy that our members provide to the labour movement daily, on the road, on the rails, and on the picket line when it matters most. From coast to coast, its this power in action that our transit workers keep this country in motion, and it is that very same motion that continues to motivate us to organize new workers, fight for fair contracts, and stand up for the communities we serve.

As we gather here in Halifax, we recognize the fact that our power comes from one another, from every Local, every delegate, and every member who shows up to build something stronger together. This conference is an opportunity to learn, to connect, and to recommit to the work that lies ahead.

Welcome to ATU Canada Conference 2026.

In Solidarity,

John Di Nino
ATU Canada President