Labour union vice-president endorses Tory candidate in federal byelection in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG — The Conservative candidate in an upcoming federal byelection in Winnipeg has received an endorsement from the international vice-president of a major union in his bid to unseat the NDP in the riding.

Russ Shewchuk with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Canada, a union representing more than 70,000 members in the country, has endorsed fellow IBEW member and Tory candidate Colin Reynolds.

In a statement on X, Shewchuk says he has known Reynolds for more than 20 years and the Conservative member understands the “dynamics of unions and working people.”

The endorsement comes after more than a dozen labour leaders endorsed Leila Dance, the NDP candidate for the party’s Winnipeg stronghold of Elmwood-Transcona.

Among those throwing their support behind Dance is the business manager of the electrical worker union IBEW Local 2085, Dave McPhail. Reynolds has said he’s a proud member of that union.

“Thank you very much to my IBEW International Vice President Russ Shewchuk for supporting my common sense campaign. It is an honour to stand with you and our union,” Reynolds posted on X.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also posted a thank-you to Shewchuk on X.

“Sellout Singh abandoned workers to sign onto a costly coalition with Trudeau to hike taxes, punish work, double housing costs, ban hunting rifles, and turn loose drugs and crime onto our streets,” Poilievre said further in a statement forwarded by his office.

“Workers support common sense Conservative policies to axe taxes, reward work, build homes, green light mines and pipelines, stop crime, and protect lawful licenced firearms owners.”

The Elmwood-Transcona byelection to fill the seat previously held by New Democrat Daniel Blaikie will take place on Sept 16.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 3, 2024.

The Canadian Press