June 10, 2021

The Convention delegation was asked to award the Régine Laurent group and individual prize for the first time. These prizes, created at the 2017 Convention, are intended to recognize the outstanding union commitment of members and groups of members.  

The group prize was awarded to a group having distinguished themselves by initiating one or more collective advocacy actions that involve members and reflect their exceptional union commitment. This year, the group prize went to the healthcare professionals in the operating rooms at Maisonneuve-Rosemont and Santa Cabrini Hospitals (SPS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal ) who, on learning the employer intended to hire unqualified à staff, quickly took matters into their own hands. They invested in social media and traditional media to gain exposure on the issues; even risking their jobs by signing a notice of resignation that would take effect the day the employer went ahead with the project. Two days later the CIUSSS abandoned the project. 

The individual Régine-Laurent prize was awarded to a member having distinguished herself by taking an advocacy action that reflected her exceptional union commitment. This year, the Régine-Laurent prize was awarded to Émilie Ricard (SPS de la Mauricie et du Centre-du-Québec) who, on January 29, 2018, spoke up on social media to denounce her excessive workload. Her message was shared thousands of times and several healthcare professionals followed suit, sharing their reality.  

We want to congratulate the recipients and thank all candidates for their involvement and union commitment.