Unifor welcomes Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Notley and a Day of Truth and Reconciliation

OTTAWA, Aug. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Media are invited to join Unifor's Convention as it welcomes distinguished speakers including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Cindy Blackstock and Premier Rachel Notley at the Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa.

Under the theme of it's time for justice, Unifor is devoting this day of its Convention to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its recommendations. To recognize the tireless work and outstanding contributions for social justice, Unifor will present it's Neil Reimer Award to Cindy Blackstock and Nelson Mandela Award for Human Rights to Senator Murray Sinclair. The Convention will also host Raiyah Patel and Indigenous drummer and singer Theland.

In between the keynote speeches, Aboriginal leaders will lead more than 1,800 Unifor members in a march to Parliament Hill to demand action on the recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Report. The march will conclude with a short rally featuring: Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, with a special performance by Susan Aglukark at Parliament Hill.

Agenda for August 24: 

• Media equipment to be installed between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.
• 9:30 a.m. Presentation of Neil Reimer Social Activist of the Year Award to Cindy Blackstock, including speech.
• 10:00 a.m. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to address Convention.
• 11:00 a.m. Presentation of Nelson Mandela Award for Human Rights to Senator Murray Sinclair.
• 11:30 a.m. Aboriginal leaders will lead Unifor members from the Shaw Centre to Parliament Hill. March will conclude with a rally on Parliament Hill with Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and Inuk musician and Juno award winner Susan Aglukark.
• 2:30 p.m. Premier Rachel Notley to address Convention.

Watch the Convention live at www.uniforlive.ca. To review a full copy of the Convention agenda please visit www.unifor.org/convention2016.  For live updates follow the hashtag #Unifor2016 on Twitter or @UnifortheUnion.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed on Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.

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For accreditation to Shaw Centre or to arrange an interview with Unifor National President Jerry Dias or guests please contact: Unifor Communications National Representative Kathleen O'Keefe at [email protected] or 416-896-3303 (cell)