The 2009 World Police & Fire Games
APRIL 06-09 News...
The 2009 World Police & Fire Games is a spectacular international sporting event featuring more than 12,000 athletes competing in over 60 sports at approximately 40 venues across the Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky regions of British Columbia. The Games are open to all full time or retired professional firefighters, law enforcement, customs and correctional officers from around the world. Held every two years, these Games bring together the emergency services community for 10 days of sport, celebrating comradeship, community and competition. British Columbia will host the 2009 World Police & Fire Games from July 31 to August 9, 2009.
Organizers are looking for over 2500 volunteers to help run the Games. If you are not going to compete please consider joining the team as a volunteer! For information on volunteer opportunities or to join the Games family please go online to www.2009wpfg.ca
2009 WORLD POLICE & FIRE GAMES
BY THE NUMBERS (estimated)
Opening Ceremonies: Friday, July 31, 2009 General Motors Place
Closing Ceremonies: Sunday, August 9, 2009 Swangard Stadium
Number of Athletes: 12,000 to 14,000
Eligible Competitors: Law Enforcement, Customs, Fire Fighters & Corrections Officers (Fulltime & Retired)
Number of Volunteer Hosts: >2500
Street Banners in the Greater Vancouver Area: 1,000
Number of Cities Hosting Events: 12
Number of Venues: 40+ Sport & Entertainment Venues
Number of Sports: 66 Different Sports
Coaches, Officials & Family Members Attending: >20,000
Forecasted Economic Impact: > $50 Million
Number of Participating Countries: Over 70
Next Games: 2011 New York City, 2013 Belfast
Customs and Immigration Union Joins National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco
MARCH 17-09 News...
The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT) welcomed another new member to its ranks today with the agreement of the Customs and Immigration Union to join the fight against the spread of illegal cigarettes in Canada.
"The Customs & Immigration Union represents all Canadian Customs and Immigration Officers and we are proud to join forces with the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco; contraband tobacco is a matter we should all be concerned with given its costly and upsetting impact on criminality, legitimate commerce, tax evasion, and children's health," said Ron Moran, National President, Customs and Immigration Union.
Since launching last year, NCACT has become a prominent voice and a key part of the fight against contraband tobacco in Canada.
In addition to work on growing the NCACT, the Coalition is also very active in talking about the dangers of contraband in communities throughout Ontario and Quebec. Through a coordinated effort of meetings with government officials and public education, the NCACT is raising awareness of the dire problem of contraband tobacco in Canada and pushing for government to take decisive action to deal with this crisis.
For more details, please visit www.stopcontraband.ca
The region of Quebec wears jeans
NOVEMBER 13-08 News...
Today, November 13, 98% of CIU members in Quebec are now wearing jeans to protest against the slowness of the negotiations on the employer’s part for the renewal of the collective agreement. Following this initiative, Brother Fortin made more than a dozen media interventions in both French and English.
The CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION UNION is born
from a historical 15th National Convention
OCTOBER 28-08 Communique...
National Convention is already over and we are proud to announce that a page of history was turned. Having served our members for more than 40 years, after the integration of certain Agriculture services and the totality of the Immigration Inland Enforcement services, we are proud to reveal the new name and executive members of our organization.
SEE PRESS RELEASE
NATIONAL SECURITY – BORDER PATROL
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CEUDA applauds the Conservative initiative
OCTOBER 07-08 Communique...
After many years of advocating for safer and more secure borders, the Union representing Canada’s Front-Line Customs and Immigration Officers is pleased to support the Conservative Party’s commitment, if elected, to launch pilot projects for a mobile Canadian Border Patrol.
SEE PRESS RELEASE
TORONTO DISTRICT BRANCH – Clarifications Regarding the PIA VSSA Vote
SEPTEMBER 19-08 Update
It has been brought to our attention that a lot of conflicting, incomplete, or misleading information has been circulating in Toronto regarding the PIA VSSA vote which is set to take place. The following aims to clarify the matter as best possible...
FULL TEXT
NATIONAL SECURITY – CEUDA demands that Political Parties adopt a firm stand
SEPTEMBER 04-08 Communique...
With rumours that an election might be called in autumn, along with the presentation of various electoral platforms, the Union representing Customs and Immigration Officers is asking the various political parties to take a firm stand on the issue of national security.
SEE PRESS RELEASE
Union Wins a Victory for Free Speech
AUGUST 12-08 Communique...
The PSAC has won an important victory and has successfully defended the right of Union activists to speak out publicly and critically on Government policies and practices.
In his comprehensive decision, Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB) Adjudicator Dan Butler reversed a 30 days suspension that the Canada Border Services Agency had tried to use to silence John King, at that time a CEUDA 1st Vice-President, after he wrote a letter to Tom Ridge, Secretary for Homeland Security in the United States, that was critical of CBSA’s use of force training of Border Service Officers, its use of students and a host of other issues.
In defending Union Officer free speech, the Union maintained that as long as an elected officer’s behaviour is not malicious, or that the statements made are not knowingly or recklessly false, the employer has no right to rely on the “duty of loyalty” and use its power to discipline in order to silence the Union. The Adjudicator accepted this position. In so doing, he referred extensively to established legal principles, and rejected the CBSA’s assertion that statements that might have a potential, but unproven, impact on the employer in a sensitive political or security context somehow removed the immunity that Union Officers enjoy when advocating on behalf of workers. The fact that the vast majority of the statements in the letter were based on information in the public domain was important in this case. The Adjudicator also rejected the CBSA’s position that, in writing to a representative of a foreign government in this case, the Union had crossed the line.
We stand proud of our Union Activists when they speak out. And Our Union will defend them against any employer that wants to silence them.
PSLRB -Decision & Summary
CEUDA reveals the results of a non-confidence vote compilation towards John Gillan, Regional Director General for Greater Toronto Area
AUGUST 6-08 Results