Into the future, there are plans to add even more web links and information to the site. Since its June launch, the www.apprenticetrades.ca web site is enjoying steady web visitor growth. These visitors wish to be referred to reliable, current sources of information. Thus, this fall a reciprocal web link exchange program with all major apprenticeship, educational and other related skilled trades organizations will enable the CAF-FCA to collaborate with many solid regional partners.

Within recent weeks, the IBEW community is saddened by the loss of two members who were long-term officers in the past. Bob Hill from Local 894 passed away suddenly as a result of a heart attack. For many years, Bob was the Business Manager of Local 894, Oshawa and after that he was an Officer with the IBEW Construction Council of Ontario.

For many years, Lorne Barr was the Business Manager of Local Union 636 and his funeral was held on September 8.

One of the wonderful events the Local Committee had planned for the guests at the Progress Meeting was a bus tour to Banff and Lake Louise. But, because of the PSAC strike at Canada Parks, this trip could not take place since we were not going to cross anyone’s picket line. This meant the Park lost revenue from two busloads of tourists.

In July of this year a member of Local 956, Brother Dan Gagne was electrocuted while working on the job. The hat was passed at the Progress Meeting on Thursday morning and $3600 was collected for Brother Gagne’s family. Later in the morning, there were some draws for a large screen TV and a 50/50. Paul Morse, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2228, Ottawa, won the 50/50 draw for $520.00 and he immediately walked to the back of the room and handed his winnings over to Local 956 Business Manager, Murray Rantanen, to be added to the collection taken earlier. As a result, the total amount to be given to the Gagne family is $4120. Thank you Brother Morse for your true IBEW generosity.

If anyone wants to purchase the group photo taken at the Progress Meeting, you can deal directly with the photographer by phoning (403)238-3999. An 8″ X 12″ is $12.00 and there are larger pictures available that can be framed if you wish.

The delegates found the presentation by Dr. Elaine Bernard very interesting. Enclosed for your future reference is a copy of Dr. Bernard’s PowerPoint Presentation titled "Creating The Future in an Uncertain World."

Also left over from the Progress Meeting, there was a black watch found on a bus on Wednesday evening. If you know of anyone who is missing his or her watch, please call the First District Office with a description.

There were a number of inquiries about ordering the IBEW Cookbook at the Progress Meeting. We have ordered a number of these cookbooks and in the near future they will be available from the First District Office at a cost of $30 Canadian.
 

The weekend for the Lifelong Learning Symposium is rapidly approaching. This National Training Conference will take place in Barrie, Ontario from October 29^th – 31^st, 2004. The agenda was listed in the July edition of the Coast to Coast, and is also on the First District website at www.ibew1st.org.

All Local Unions will receive a registration package by mail shortly.

The IBEW Organizing Conference will be held in Pittsburgh from September 27^th – 29^th, 2004.