Toronto – June 4, 2020 – The death of George Floyd is the latest tragic reminder that racism continues to be an oppressive and terrible reality in the United States, and in our neighbourhoods too.

Allyship is rooted in strengthening our own education and in refraining from judgement by continuously checking our bias. It requires calling out and standing up against hateful comments and actions when we see them. It rests on taking leadership from affected communities and engaging in actions to eliminate the systemic inequalities that continue to hold back Black, Indigenous, and racialized persons, among other marginalized groups, from achieving substantive equality in Canada.

UFCW Canada supports all positive actions for transformative change to end discrimination in all communities. Racists need to be brought to justice and racism must be called out for what it is if we are to confront and end systematic discrimination.

We stand with UFCW members, friends, and affected communities in Canada, the U.S., and globally working to end racial oppression and discrimination. Combatting racism will take all of us! Shoulder to shoulder, united in respect, we must act every day to stop racism if we are to eliminate it and empower true equality once and for all.

In solidarity,

Paul R. Meinema
National President
UFCW Canada