More on Campaign Pillar #1: Strengthening Prairie Regionalism
I moved to Alberta in 2004 and I’ve come to deeply value what it means to be from the Prairies.
I learned early on in my Union activism, when it comes to the Union, we’ve always had Union Pride and we’ve always done things the Prairie way.
Me at the Lethbridge Whoop-Up Days Parade (2015).
PSAC Prairies represents close to 30,000 members across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We are a region defined by strong communities, diverse industries, and distinct political realities. Each province operates under different governments, pressures, and opportunities. That means how we organize, advocate, and win must reflect those differences.
Strengthening Prairie regionalism means continuously ensuring our Union is shaped by the lived realities of Prairie members.
I’m proud of some the work we’re already doing:
We led Prairie-specific Phoenix actions, including a banner that travelled across the Prairies. We asked members to sign it in solidarity of the Prairie derived resolution calling for a national inquiry into Phoenix. This banner was displayed behind me as I spoke to this resolution at PSAC National Convention in 2024.
We launched a Prairie Region Council–driven, Prairies-only campaign:WTF: PSAC Prairies,a creative, accessible way to explain who we are and demystify union language with our WTF is: query tool.
Our Union sets national priorities, but how those messages land among Prairie members matters. What resonates in Ottawa doesn’t always connect in Lethbridge, Regina, or Winnipeg.
That’s why strengthening regionalism means:
Delivering initiatives in ways that reflect Prairie realities
Framing issues in language that connects locally
Ensuring members see themselves in the work of the union
Providing Prairie influence nationally to ensure our voices are heard and that national campaigns respond to Prairie needs.
We don’t weaken the message by adapting it, we strengthen its impact. It’s not about dividing our union, it’s about making it stronger.
I will commit to strengthening regionalism and believe that strong regionalism depends on strong relationships. That means ongoing, communication that looks like:
One-on-one conversations with members
Regular check-ins with Area Councils , Regional Committees, and Prairie National Officers.
Active engagement with Prairie Region Council representatives elected to bring forward member voices
And critically, ensuring those voices are carried forward to the Alliance Executive Committee & National Board of Directors, where national decisions are made.
When new campaigns are developed, we need to ask:
How will this be received by Prairie members? Does this reflect our priorities? Because when members see themselves reflected in our strategies, participation grows, engagement deepens, and our collective power expands.
Some additional things we can do as region include:
Developing Prairie-specific campaign toolkits so locals can act quickly with relevant materials;
Continuing to grow our Prairie activist network/map to better connect members and mobilize across distances (more on that in my next blog post);
Coordinating cross-province actions that bring together components, Regional Committees, and Area Councils in a timely manner to reflect the issue of the day;
Advocate for regional autonomy so our region is empowered to move quickly and do what’s right for Prairie members.
When Prairie members shape Prairie strategies, we don’t just participate, we lead. Prairie Proud. Union Loud.
Solidarity,
Krysty
