SEIU Canadian Leadership
Sharleen Stewart
President SEIU Local 1 Canada
Canadian International Vice-President
Sharleen Stewart first organized low-waged service workers at the age of 18, helping men and women gain a voice in their workplace at national grocery store chains. These roots as a union organizer and young leader quickly shone through when she became a frontline member of SEIU while working as an allied health professional at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon.
Within six years, Stewart was elected the first full-time female President of SEIU Local 333 in northern Saskatchewan. During her first year as President, she was able to obtain extended health benefits not only for SEIU members, but for all healthcare workers in Saskatchewan. Stewart has continued to help working men and women improve their lives by organizing the unorganized, connecting union members at a grassroots level, and building relationships with community organizations and political and business leaders.
This ability to unite coalitions behind positive change has been key to the emergence of Stewart as the most influential woman in the Canadian labour movement over the last decade. In 2000, Stewart was appointed the first female Canadian International Vice-President of SEIU and became the first woman to be Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress. She also served as Vice President of the Ontario Federation of Labour. Stewart was appointed President of SEIU Local 1 in 2003 and was re-elected in 2008 as the head of the largest healthcare local in the country.
SEIU is the fastest growing union in Canada, made up mostly of women from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Since 2004, the membership of the organization has grown by over a third, an unmatched rate of growth that defies historic trends and singles Stewart out as a different kind of labour leader.
Under Stewart's leadership, SEIU is increasingly working with stakeholder organizations and allies in the community to help the most vulnerable in our society. In these tough economic times, Sharleen sees SEIU's role as more critical than ever in helping members improve their lives and the lives of the people they serve. Stewart is a passionate advocate for Canada's universal healthcare system and is committed to helping ensure its sustainability through timely innovations like strengthening the long-term care sector.
A dedicated mother of three, Stewart is an active volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada.
Cam Nelson
President SEIU Local 2
Brother Nelson learned the lessons of solidarity early in life. At the age of 13, he was fired from a summer job as a pin setter in a bowling alley after organizing a work slowdown in support of higher wages.
While earning his law degree, Cam worked as a National Representative for the Canadian Union of United Brewery, Flour, Cereal and Distillery Workers. In 1977, he was elected Business Agent and saw the Union quadruple in size during his tenure. Cam held a seat on the National Executive Board of NUPGE for more than 20 years.
Cam is now the President of SEIU Local 2, a member of the Steering Committee of the SEIU International Building Services Division and a member of the SEIU International Board of Auditors.
He has written numerous articles for internal union publications, as well as having published in the Osgoode Hall Law Journal.
Cam is a devoted father and husband and continues to believe passionately in the importance of Unions and after more than 30 years, still enjoys it.
Barbara Cape
President SEIU West
Born in Edmonton Alberta, Sister Cape was exposed to the union movement at a very young age. With the strong influence of her family, Barb pursued her passion for cooking through various jobs. She earned her Red Seal designation as a Chef and became a member of SEIU as a Cook for an Extendicare Nursing Home in Saskatchewan in 1994.
Through her involvement in her union, Sister Cape became an elected member to the board and eventually President of SEIU Local 299 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. In 2008, she was appointed the President of the newly amalgamated SEIU West.ca and elected to the International Executive Board of SEIU.
Barb's work is inspired by the members she serves. Her work with the Local has galvanized her resolve to help workers stand up for themselves and gain dignity and respect in the workplace. She's seen the benefits of what happens when workers have a voice in the work place: "It's not just theory, it's practice" says Sister Cape.
Her other inspiration comes from her family, her husband and son, who are a constant support in her fight for respect for working people.