The Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) wants to welcome our new President, Chuck LeBlanc, First Vice President Adrian Soldera and Second Vice President Jeremy Christensen to the National Executive. We want to give our congratulations to PPWC Secretary Treasurer Ryan Grier and Health and Safety Officer Barry Touzin on their re-election for the 2026-2028 term.
The PPWC also welcomes Greg Ball, Georgia Spiliotopoulos, Chris Cargill and Steve Tran as 2026-2028 Audit Committee members. All their photos, emails and contact information are located on our Contact page.
Read Welcome Statements Below
President Chuck LeBlanc
It is an honour to serve as the new President of the Public and Private Workers of Canada. I accept this responsibility with humility, determination, and a deep commitment to the members and families who are the foundation of our union.
I step into this role at a difficult time for many of our members. The closure of the Crofton pulp mill has had a devastating impact not only on the workers who lost their livelihoods, but on the entire community that has depended on those jobs for generations. Families are facing uncertainty, local businesses are feeling the effects, and an important part of the region’s economic fabric has been torn away.
Unfortunately, Crofton is not an isolated case. Across British Columbia and throughout Canada, we have witnessed a troubling pattern of mill closures, curtailments, and industrial decline. Too many communities have experienced the same story: good-paying jobs disappear, families are forced to make difficult choices, and local economies struggle to recover.
Our members deserve better.
Canada is blessed with abundant natural resources, a skilled workforce, and communities built on generations of expertise in forestry, manufacturing, and resource development. Yet these advantages mean little if governments fail to create the conditions necessary for industries and workers to succeed.
We need decisive action from both provincial and federal governments. We need policies that support investment, encourage innovation, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and ensure Canadian resources are processed and developed here at home. We need infrastructure investments that improve competitiveness and create opportunities for future generations. Most importantly, we need a long-term industrial strategy that recognizes the value of working people and the industries that sustain our communities. And we need investment in our education system, at all levels!
At the same time, our future cannot depend solely on external investment. We must also focus on growth from within. That means investing in our people, developing new skills, supporting apprenticeship and training opportunities, and identifying ways to diversify and strengthen local economies. It means empowering workers to be part of the solutions that will shape the industries of tomorrow.
As a union, we will continue to advocate relentlessly for our members. We will work with governments, employers, Indigenous partners, community leaders, and industry stakeholders to protect jobs and create new opportunities. We will not accept a future where community after community is left behind while good-paying jobs disappear.
The challenges before us are significant, but so is our collective strength. Throughout our history, workers have faced adversity with resilience, solidarity, and determination. Those same values will guide us today.
As President, I am committed to ensuring that every member has a strong voice, that every community knows we stand with them, and that our union remains a powerful force for fairness, opportunity, and economic growth.
Together, we will meet these challenges. Together, we will fight for good jobs, strong communities, and a future where working people can thrive. And together, we will build a stronger union and a stronger Canada.
I also want to take a moment and Thank the members who have put their names forward at Convention to keep democracy in action. A healthy election is good for our democratic Independent Canadian Union!!
Get out and be involved. Attend your Local’s membership meetings and take some time for an important part of our lives. Your Union is stronger with you involved!
In Solidarity, Chuck LeBlanc, PPWC National President
First Vice President Adrian Soldera
First, I would like to thank everyone for participating in the recent National election. It is important for everyone to have a say and exercise their right to do so.
Secondly, I was very humbled at the results of the election. The results were very close but thank you for your support. There was not a wrong choice. Mike is a fantastic candidate as well.
I will work hard over the next 2 years to strengthen and expand the PPWC for now and the future. I am looking forward to meeting current Local members and new members thinking about joining our great Union. I am excited for the challenge of this position as this is new territory for me.
I have never done anything like this before but am looking forward to it. Over the last 3.5 years, I have gained lots of experience in managing the Local office, bargaining and meeting with government. I believe that I will perform my duties that will make the PPWC membership proud. Thank you again.
In Solidarity,
Adrian Soldera
Second Vice President Jeremy Christensen
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jeremy Christensen and I work as a digester operator for Local 15 in Skookumchuck. I live in Kimberley BC with my amazing partner and our 4 kids.
I am a second generation PPWC member and was raised on the values and dollars of our union. In the past I have served as first vice president, shop steward, recording secretary and trustee for Local 15. Now I am excited to step into my new roll as second vice president of the National.
I feel like unionism in Canada has been pushed down for too long and given the current political climate, is poised to make a massive comeback. The PPWC needs to be a big part of that push. It’s time to raise our voices and fight for workers rights. It’s time to make things uncomfortable again.
To honor those who came before us and built the PPWC through blood, sweat and tears. I thank all of you for this opportunity and look forward to the challenges that lay ahead.
In Solidarity,
Jeremy Christensen
