From May 3 to 7, PSAC’s 2026 National Equity Conferences brought 400 members together from across the country. Indigenous, Racialized, Access, Pride, and Black Caucus members came to speak openly about the realities they face: systemic discrimination and racism, barriers to accessibility, underrepresentation in leadership, and inequities in hiring and workplace culture – and to push for change.
Focused on the theme “Intersections of Power: Lifting Every Voice”, delegates debated and voted on resolutions to advance accessibility and disability rights, strengthen Indigenous self-determination, promote leadership and inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ and gender‑diverse members, and confront systemic racism in workplaces and union structures. Representatives were also elected to some equity group positions, with the remaining elections to follow over the spring and summer.
Numerous speakers and panellists shared lived experiences and practical tools, with a focus on allyship as a driver of lasting change.
“Allyship takes learning and unlearning, followed by informed action,” said Amira Elghawaby, Human Rights Advocate and Canada’s former Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia.
On May 5, delegates marked Red Dress Day by tying red ribbons on Willow Women, an installation by Métis artist and activist Jaime Black-Morrisette, honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. They also took part in a Red Dress Day march in Winnipeg alongside community members.
Members also took the time to acknowledge colleagues facing job losses as workforce adjustment rolls out across the country in the federal public service. Quebec delegate Mamadou Ndiaye marked the moment with a poem, that closed with this: Hurt, yes. Sad, yes. Yet still standing. Still strong. Still united.
“Equity is at the heart of our union. When we come together like this, we build the relationships and trust needed to move forward in solidarity.” — Terrie Lynn Fowler, delegate, Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Mamadou Ndiaye’s poem was written in French and has been translated into English.
Thinking of our affected sisters and brothers
Look
at all the sisters,
all the brothers,
whose voices still echo
in our silence.
No longer here,
cut down by the employer,
like branches in the winter.
And the vacant office chairs,
they speak.
Telling a tale of emptiness,
whispering their names,
whispering their smiles.
The employer has made cuts,
but failed to see
what cannot be cut.
You are all still here,
right next to us,
in every breath,
in our hearts.
Listen closely:
in the silence, their cries;
in the night, their tears;
in our hearts, their strength.
No,
neither fear,
nor sadness
can break
this invisible thread
between us.
We are a family
bound by courage and memory.
Bent, yes,
but never broken.
Standing,
still standing,
with one body,
with one voice.
And in the face of this storm,
we will endure.
Against these hardships, we will prevail.
Against this employer, we will prevail.
Hurt, yes
Sad, yes
Yet
Still standing
Still strong
Still united
We will prevail
We will prevail
In solidarity.
Mamadou Ndiaye
This article was first published on the PSAC website.
