2026 Post ACPM Open Letter to Membership

Sisters and Brothers,

As I reflect on the past few weeks, our All-Canada Progress Meeting (ACPM) in Niagara Falls and the Prime Minister’s recent announcement surrounding a National Electricity Strategy, I keep coming back to one feeling: pride.

Pride in this country. Pride in our union. Pride in what we have built together and what we will continue to build into the future.

Walking into the ACPM conference room and seeing the largest gathering of Canadian delegates we have welcomed to date was something I will not forget. That room represented momentum. It represented members stepping forward, leaders leaning in, difficult conversations taking place, and a shared belief that we are stronger together. It’s a reflection of what we’ve accomplished together in recent years and of where we are headed in the years to come.

Since 2022, we have welcomed more than 8,000 net new members to the IBEW in Canada and over 215 new employers. Think about the positive impact we’ve had on countless families, neighbourhoods, and communities across Canada.

That growth did not happen by accident.

It came from rank-and-file members becoming ambassadors for our union in their workplaces, communities, and online. It came from leadership’s willingness to revisit fundamentals and make changes where needed. It came from improving education for both leaders and members and making sure resources reached people when they needed them. It came from finding common ground and moving forward, collectively. It came from being dedicated to the members.

Most importantly, it came because members believed in the IBEW.

One of the clearest examples of that energy was our caucus programming. We saw familiar faces and welcomed many new ones. I watched members step outside their comfort zones to learn, ask questions, reconnect, and build relationships across locals and regions.

To every delegate who participated, thank you for investing in yourself and in the future of this union. To all the Business Managers and Executive Board members who supported participation, thank you for recognizing that leadership development, education, and connection strengthen us all.

We also witnessed the progress we’ve made together in building relationships with decision-makers in our cities, provinces, and the country. No matter who forms government, our responsibility remains the same: show up and advocate for our members. Building strong relationships with political leaders at all levels, regardless of party, has been a strong priority for our union, especially over the past four years.

Over the last two years, we have earned access to conversations about Canada’s economic future, electrification, training, labour mobility, apprenticeship, and safety. We have shown government what our dedicated members are capable of.

And they have taken note.

Government is recognizing the value our members bring.

That brings me to something personal.

Many of you know I had to leave the conference early and missed the banquet and closing events. I did not enjoy that.

But something happened that reminded me just how far we have come.

I received a call from Prime Minister Mark Carney.

He told me that the following morning, the government would announce a National Electricity Strategy in Ottawa. He asked that I be present to represent the IBEW.

When the Prime Minister’s office needed a voice on electrification, they called on the only union that government, industry, and communities trust to help power Canada’s future.

The IBEW.

To stand in front of the country and speak on behalf of our over 70,000 members. This, sisters and brothers, was a historic moment for our organization: validation of what we’ve accomplished together and encouragement for what we will continue to build.

I cannot fully express what that moment meant to me and what it means to our union.

It was not recognition for one person. It was recognition of years of work by leaders across this country. Countless flights. Endless meetings. Showcasing training centres. Building relationships. Promoting our members, our partners, our standards, and our track record.

I know the timing was difficult, and I am truly sorry I could not remain with you in Niagara Falls.

But I hope you understand what that moment represented.

Canada called on the IBEW because of what we have built. Together.

Our All-Canada Progress Meeting in Niagara Falls was a direct reflection of our collective success. I saw it in the conversations taking place between locals, in members stepping forward to learn and lead, and in the growing participation across our caucuses and affinity groups. I saw it in the pride members carry for their careers and for the IBEW.

Over these past few years, I have watched a spark return to this union.

That energy is contagious.

Now our governments are feeling it too.

The future of this country will be electric. And the IBEW will help build it, power it, and train the next generation to carry it forward.

But our work is not finished.

Stay the course. Continue investing in yourself, your members and developing leaders. Share ideas. Seek out support. Lean on the experience and expertise available across First District and across one another.

We have built something special together over the last four years. Now let’s keep building.

In solidarity,

 

RUSS SHEWCHUK International Vice President IBEW First District, Canada