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Mr. Coles told delegates that he intends to work with the NDP and the Bloc Québécois to get the ear of federal government decision-makers, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "There are critical problems with our economic system that need to be addressed, he said. "Privatization, de-regulation, and the let-the-markets' rule premise that our capitalist system was built on is proving to be a giant hoax."

The convention passed an emergency resolution calling for "decisive re-regulation of the financial sector, government supervision of banks and other financial institutions and investment funds, through a regulatory and ownership role." It also called for limits on executive compensation and stock options.

The nearly 1,000 delegates to the five-day convention, which ends today, also resolved to continue to fight hard for government aid to resolve the forest crisis, for energy security and for limits to foreign ownership of our telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.

Regional leaders of the 150,000-member union are: Ervan Cronk, Atlantic Vice-President, Renaud Gagné, Québec Vice-President, Bob Huget, Ontario Vice-President, and Jim Britton, Western Region Vice-President.

CEP is Canada's largest union in several key sectors of the economy: forests, oil and gas exploration, telecommunications and the media.

More Information:

Dave Coles, CEP President (613) 299-5628

Michelle Walsh, CEP Communications Director (613) 858-9144