Letters from the president

This Thursday, March 11 will be the National Day of Remembrance (Québec) in memory of the victims of COVID-19. This sad anniversary is an opportunity to remember all those who died during the pandemic.

I would still like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. My thoughts especially go out to all those who lost a loved one and who faced other pandemic-related challenges. Stay strong, friends! We are all in this together.

One out of every four violent crimes reported to the police is a case of domestic violence, according to Statistics Canada. Women's Shelter Canada indicated in its most recent report that of the 550 shelters it supports, 59% reported a decrease in calls at the beginning of the pandemic. However, as the lockdown measures eased, more than half of these shelters (61%) experienced a surge in calls.

Last year, more than 38 million people were living with HIV worldwide.

The national president of Teamsters Canada, François Laporte, made the following comments regarding today’s federal economic update...

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our lives. This terrible ordeal requires us to adapt quickly to something out of the ordinary. Who would have thought a couple of years ago that we would ever face such a global crisis?

Today is the 18th World Suicide Prevention Day. It is another opportunity to remember how important every life is.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the contribution of truck drivers to the well-being of all Canadians has been, more than ever, invaluable. Without them, the economy would have almost completely ceased to function and chaos would have quickly taken hold in our cities and countryside.

Today, we come together to celebrate and honour the victories that workers and their unions have made and continue to make.

I was saddened to learn today that Brother Lionel Dorais, President of Local Union 1999 from 2000 to 2004, has passed away. He was 81 years old.