IBEW Women
IVP Statement: Happy International Women’s Day!
The IBEW is proud to represent a growing number of women among our ranks. Our IBEW sisters are a highly motivated and active portion of our membership both on and off the jobsite.
Throughout March, we celebrate the remarkable women making a difference in the electrical industry and beyond. Happy Women in Construction Week, and International Women’s Day! Let’s applaud the incredible strength and resilience of all the women in our workforce. Their invaluable contributions make our union stronger and more inclusive.
Engaged and supported, women enhance our bargaining prowess and bolster our organizing efforts across all underrepresented groups. This is why women-focused initiatives must continue to be a priority.
Let’s empower our sisters who wish to engage, build community, and overcome collective challenges. We must continue to foster initiatives that support and uplift our members – especially for those who face barriers related to outdated stigmas and isolation.
IBEW Canada continues to commit to championing gender equality and ensuring that every voice is heard and respected in our workplaces. Together, we can create a future where everyone, regardless of gender, thrives and succeeds!
In Solidarity,
 | Russ Shewchuk International Vice President IBEW First District, Canada |
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Women In Construction Week 2026
During Women in Construction Week (March 1-7), IBEW Canada recognizes the skill, leadership, and commitment women bring to job sites across the country. From major infrastructure projects to local community builds, our IBEW Sisters power the work that keeps Canada moving!
MoreIBEW Canada Women’s Committee to Host Virtual Leadership Training in November
IBEW Canada is offering the Leadership Education and Planning for Organizing (LEAP) training during the Women’s District Forum on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 1 p.m. EST via Zoom.
This interactive session helps equip IBEW members with the skills needed to educate and mentor other members effectively, ultimately strengthening the local union and the IBEW as a whole.
Registration is open to all IBEW women in Canada.
To register, email Kate Buinimasi at kate_buinimasi@ibew.org or complete the form below:
MoreRecap: 2025 IBEW All Canada Progress Meeting
From August 9 to 14, nearly 300 IBEW members and leaders gathered in Calgary for our annual IBEW First District All Canada Progress Meeting (ACPM). Together, we strengthened connections, advanced key initiatives, and celebrated the growth of our union across the country.
IBEW Canada Women’s Caucus
Close to 70 delegates attended the Women’s Caucus on August 9 and 10 under the theme: We Rise by Lifting Each Other Up. The two-day program featured speakers who inspired dialogue around leadership, workplace discrimination and harassment, financial literacy, and empowerment. Sessions included talks from Cecile Cailliou (Indigenous Elder and teacher), Cori Longo, Jill Drader, and CLC facilitators on domestic violence and harassment in the workplace. Members also took part in a self-defense workshop and a fireside chat with Siobhan Vipond of the Canadian Labour Congress.
A special thank you to IBEW International Women’s Committee First District Representative, Meaghan Olmstead (IBEW Local 2228) and IBEW First District International Representative and Education Specialist Kate Buinimasi for their leadership in organizing this event.
Delegates closed out the weekend by volunteering with WINS Calgary, giving back to the community through service.
IBEW Canada NextGen Caucus
On August 11, more than 45 members aged 35 and under participated in the NextGen Caucus, themed Leadership and Politics. Delegates completed condensed Politics, Activism & Livelihood (PAL) training and engaged in a dynamic panel discussion with IBEW leaders Adam Van Steinburg (IBEW Canada), Kevin Gaudaur (IBEW Local 1687, Sudbury), and Brad Wood (IBEW Canada).
The caucus wrapped up with an ambitious plan: a cross-Canada walk fundraiser in spring 2026 to support a charity (TBD). Led by IBEW International NextGen Committee First District Representative Manraj (Manny) Randhawa and supported by IBEW Canada International Representative and Education Specialist Richard Prasad, the energy and commitment of this group highlighted the bright future of IBEW leadership.
IBEW Canada Veterans Caucus
Also on August 11, IBEW Canada hosted its first-ever Veterans Caucus with 20 participants. Guided by IBEW International Veteran’s Committee Representative Pete Cool (IBEW Local 1928) and supported by Jamie Lowe (IBEW Local 258) and Jordan Geddert (IBEW Local 258), the event featured presentations from Veterans Affairs Canada, NETCO, and Mike Kufchak, Director of Veteran Affairs for IBEW Local 11.
Momentum is already growing, with five new Veterans Committees chartered across Canada in 2025. This caucus is building a strong foundation for veterans within the IBEW to connect, support each other, and contribute their skills and leadership.
Thank you to IBEW International Representative and Education Specialist, Dustin Brecht and retired IBEW International Representative and Education Specialist, Jim Watson, for supporting the committee to ensure a successful event.
IBEW Canada General Sessions
The week continued with powerful general sessions. We welcomed IBEW International President Ken Cooper, International Secretary-Treasurer Paul Noble, and Chief of Staff Ricky Oakland, alongside government and industry leaders, including Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, Joseph Schow and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. Secretary of State (Labour), The Honourable John Zerucelli addressed delegates and announced $13 Million in funding for IBEW WJETS and NETCO.
Highlights included a cheque presentation to the MS Society of Canada, remarks from IBEW International Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) President Sean Bagsby (IBEW Local 46), and a keynote by comedian Shaun Majumder. The sessions reminded us of the importance of solidarity, shared learning, and collective progress.
The success of this year’s ACPM reflects the dedication of our local union leadership and members. We encourage IBEW locals across Canada to continue investing in engaged members: send delegates to our Women’s, NextGen, and Veterans Caucuses. These gatherings are more than conferences; they are investments in organizing, leadership, and community building that secure the future of the IBEW.
A huge thank you to this year’s ACPM host locals: IBEW Local 254, IBEW Local 424, IBEW Local 1007, and IBEW Local 2228.
We look forward hosting new and familiar faces at our 2026 All Canada Progress Meeting in Niagara Falls, Ontario next May.
If you would like to get involved with or start a Committee at your local, please contact your local union hall for more information or visit https://ibew.org/about-ibew/affinity-groups/.
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General Session
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Supporting and Engaging Our IBEW Sisters: A Message from IVP Shewchuk
The IBEW is proud to represent a growing number of women among our ranks. Our IBEW sisters are a highly motivated and active portion of our membership both on and off the jobsite. In fact, the number of recognized Women’s Committees across Canada jumped from just six committees in 2023 to 13 by the end of 2024. The appetite for community and leadership among our sisters is strong.
I wish to thank local union leaders who have championed the efforts of our sisters and encourage others to do the same. This is not the time to take our foot off the gas, there is more work to be done.
As with any underrepresented group, obstacles remain. From isolation on job sites to the burdensome weight of stigmas and the relentless pressure to prove their worth, many women in male-dominated industries feel anchored by barriers that may go unseen. These factors contribute to a concerning trend: women leaving their apprenticeships and other roles, despite possessing a passion and aptitude for their work.
I strongly believe that we, at the IBEW, possess the tools and resources to combat this issue.
Community initiatives are a competitive advantage of IBEW membership; the ability to unite members on a local, national, and international level reflects of the very essence of progress we strive for in the IBEW. I witnessed power of community among our sisters first-hand at our IBEW Canada Women’s Caucus and International Women’s Convention in 2024. Their collective ability to empower and support one another was palpable. Engaged and supported, women enhance our bargaining prowess and bolster our organizing efforts across all underrepresented groups. This is why women-focused initiatives must continue to be a priority.
Today I call upon you, our IBEW members across Canada to build upon this momentum.
Let’s empower our sisters who wish to engage, build community, and overcome collective challenges. We must continue to foster initiatives that support and uplift our members – especially for those who face barriers related to outdated stigmas and isolation.
In closing, I wish to address a common misconception on this topic that stifles our collective growth. Our shared journey is not one of men versus women; it is a journey of building a more inclusive, supportive, and empowered community for all. By offering opportunities for the underrepresented to come together, we amplify their voice which, may otherwise go unheard. This is our competitive advantage—a hallmark of our union’s strength and unity.
Let’s build on our progress and commitment to elevate voices, promote community, and ensure long-lasting, rewarding careers for all members.
In Solidarity,
Russ Shewchuck
International Vice President
IBEW First District
Happy International Women’s Day!