Thirty AUPE members took part in the union’s first-ever Pre-Election Seminar held on April 16 at union headquarters in Edmonton.

The all-day conference featured several speakers who have run political campaigns and/or participated as members of candidates’ election teams.

Organized by AUPE’s Committee on Political Action, the seminar intended to attract and prepare union members who might have political aspirations.

“Today’s seminar hopefully stirred some hearts in the membership,” said AUPE Vice-President and COPA Chair Ron Whan. “We have 58,000 members and we should be a voice to be reckoned with. Most importantly, though, I want all 30 members who attended today’s seminar to be involved in the political process. They don’t have to be a candidate — there are many other roles they can play.”

AUPE President Dan MacLennan thanked participants and urged them not only to work on election campaigns, but also to “work with AUPE to ensure that members are involved in politics at every level in their own communities.”

Seminar speakers included Steve Thompson, from the City of Edmonton’s Returning Office, Don Westman, a member of both the City of Fort Saskatchewan council and AUPE, Laurie Blakeman, Alberta Liberal MLA for Edmonton Centre, Brian Mason, Alberta New Democrat MLA for Edmonton Highlands, Edmonton city councillors Dave Thiele and Jane Batty and Jason Heistad, a member of both Innisfail town council and AUPE.
A second Pre-Election Seminar is scheduled for April 23 in Calgary.