The Society was excited to attend the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE) 61st convention, held in New Orleans. The annual policy convention serves as an opportunity to join our colleagues from the International to discuss matters of importance to our union and to the North American labour movement.
Society Research Office Nathan Jackson presented on the need to electrify state and provincial electricity grids in order to combat climate change, while Society External Relations officer Mike Belmore presented to delegates about #nuclearpower during the convention's Energy Forum. The Society has been leading the charge for new clean, non-emitting nuclear energy in Canada, and our union had many successful lessons for our international counterparts as more and more jurisdictions in the United States are once again looking at nuclear as the path towards a green-energy future. With the many nuclear announcements in Canada, there are significant opportunities for cross-border collaboration as it comes to new nuclear builds in Canada.
The Society’s delegation led the charge for the IFPTE to create a committee for black and racialized professionals, as we have for our union. The motion was successfully passed by convention delegates.
The convention also recognized former Society President Scott Travers for his years of dedication and service to IFPTE members. Scott served as Society President from 2013-2021 as well as the Canadian Area VP for the IFPTE where he was instrumental in keeping the International up-to-date with energy and labour matters happening in Canada.
It was an incredible four days of relationship building, policy discussion, and education. Thank you to convention organizers and to all the society delegates who participated.
