2026 CFNU Western Canada Labour School
When:
June 8-10, 2026 Add to Calendar
Where:
The Westin Calgary – 320 4 Ave SW Calgary, AB
Agenda (subject to change)
All times listed in Mountain (AB) times. Participants are assigned to one of three cohorts (A, B, C) and rotate through all three workshops.
Monday June 8
1800-1930 Registration – outside Brittania
1900-2100 Welcome Reception – Brittania
This optional event will feature some light snacks, opening remarks, a trivia game, door prizes, popcorn, and a cash bar.
Tuesday June 9
0730-0800 Late Registration – outside Brittania
0745-0900 Breakfast, Blessing and Remarks from CFNU and UNA – Mayfair and End Rooms
0915-1215 Workshop 1
Cohort A: Skills for Difficult Conversations How to Navigate Conflict and Maintain Respect in Today’s Workplace (David Dyck, Facilitated Solutions)– Bow Valley
Cohort B: Advancing Resilience (Michael Green, Canadian Mental Health Association)– Brittania
Cohort C: From Message to Impact Getting Your Message Heard (Sabrina Grover and Dave Cournoyer)– Bonavista
1215-1315 Lunch & Remarks from MNU – Mayfair and End Rooms
1315-1615 Workshop 2
Cohort A: Advancing Resilience – Brittania
Cohort B: From Message to Impact – Bonavista
Cohort C: Skills for Difficult Conversations – Bow Valley
1800-2100 Optional Social Night at Studio Bell – National Music Centre (extra cost of $25). Museum access at 6pm; line dancing demonstration and instruction at 7pm.
Wednesday June 10
0800-0900 Breakfast & Remarks from SUN – Mayfair and End Rooms
0900-1200 Workshop 3
Cohort A: From Message to Impact – Mayfair and End Rooms
Cohort B: Skills for Difficult Conversations – Bow Valley
Cohort C: Advancing Resilience – Brittania
1200-1300 Lunch & Remarks from BCNU – Mayfair and End Rooms
1300-1400 Closing Plenary – Steven Staples, National Director of Policy and Advocacy, Canadian Health Coalition – Brittania
1400-1500 Closing Plenary – President’s Panel – Brittania
Workshop Topics
(all participants will rotate through all three workshops):
1. Skills for Difficult Conversations: How to Navigate Conflict and Maintain Respect in Today’s Workplace (David Dyck, Facilitated Solutions)
This interactive workshop helps nurses navigate difficult conversations early and informally, understand the different layers of conflict they face, and reflect on what they can control and influence. Participants build practical skills in listening, speaking, defusing anger, and setting limits through presentations, group discussions, case studies, and hands-on practice.
2. Advancing Resilience (Michael Green, Canadian Mental Health Association)
This training focuses on advancing employees' resilience. Participants explore the brain on stress and the potential repercussions of unmitigated prolonged stress: compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, moral distress, and burnout. A practical, personalized Resiliency Process tool is used to build strategies to mitigate stress impacts and sustain and maintain well-being. Participants will increase the ability to: recognize the effects of psychological stress; appreciate the importance of self-awareness; and develop strategies for mitigating trauma and boosting resilience.
3. From Message to Impact: Getting Your Message Heard (Sabrina Grover and Dave Cournoyer)
This dynamic, interactive session will help you gain the skills you need to get your message heard over all the background noise. We will walk through the elements you need to become a more effective advocate, so you can tell your story in a memorable and persuasive way to decision-makers, political parties/candidates, media and the public.
Speakers
David Dyck, MA, CMed
Workshop Topic 1 – Skills for Difficult Conversations · Partner, Facilitated Solutions
David Dyck is a seasoned conflict resolution practitioner with more than 25 years of experience as a facilitator, trainer, mediator, and academic instructor. As a mediator, Dave has assisted hundreds of teams and organizations, providing intervention services to the organized labour, health care, business, and educational sectors. He is an energetic and dynamic workshop leader who combines humour and case studies to spark your imagination while equipping you with practical skills. Dave holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and has been a Partner at Facilitated Solutions since 2003. More information at workplaceconflict.ca.
Michael Green
Workshop Topic 2 - Advancing Resilience (Canadian Mental Health Association)
Michael Green, originally from a coastal town in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, deeply values mental health support, having grown up in a resource-limited environment. His diverse career has taken him across provinces and industries, from hospitality and sales to social enterprise and advocacy. Currently, he serves as the Client Relations Specialist at CMHA Alberta and Centre for Suicide Prevention.
Dave Cournoyer
Workshop Topic 3 - From Message to Impact: Getting Your Message Heard
Dave Cournoyer is an award-winning writer, podcaster, and communications professional based in Edmonton, Alberta. He currently works as a Communications Advisor with United Nurses of Alberta. He has written about Alberta politics for more than 20 years and is frequently called on by the media and interested groups to provide analysis about what's happening on his province's political scene..
Sabrina Grover
Workshop Topic 3 - From Message to Impact: Getting Your Message Heard
Sabrina Grover is a senior advocacy, policy, and political campaign professional with experience across federal politics, national advocacy organizations, and international policy coalitions. Based in her home of Calgary Alberta, she has run as a federal candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada in the riding of Calgary-Centre and has managed multiple campaigns in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. She has worked on campaign strategy, field operations, and stakeholder engagement.
Sabrina is a frequent political commentator on CBC Calgary, appears weekly CTV Power Play and is a regular iHeart radio contributor. Previously, Sabrina led advocacy work with Nutrition International, engaging the Canadian government and international institutions such as the World Health Organization, World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance global nutrition and gender equality priorities. She also worked in Government Relations at the Canadian Real Estate Association, focusing on federal housing policy and grassroots advocacy.
Steven Staples
Closing Plenary · National Director of Policy and Advocacy, Canadian Health Coalition
Steven Staples is National Director of Policy and Advocacy of the Canadian Health Coalition. He is an accomplished policy advocacy, strategist, communicator and author, with 30 years of experience in non-profit, labour, and research organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Leadership and Community Engagement. He was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and lives in Toronto.
Steven’s closing plenary will address the rise of private health care in Canada, its impacts on patients, unions, and health care workers, and specific steps that individuals and unions can take to advocate for public health care.
Darren Weaselchild
Darren Weaselchild, a Siksika Nation member and Red Seal Journeyman Painter, strengthens communities through cultural advocacy, youth mentorship, and trauma-informed programming. Blending art with Blackfoot teachings, Darren supports Indigenous youth, leads cross-cultural initiatives, and collaborates with regional partners to foster belonging, healing, and unity across Treaty 4, 6, and 7 territories. Darren was the 2026 Indigenous Artist in Residence for the Calgary Public Library and received the Indigenous Artist Award from the Mayor this May.
Location
The Westin Calgary
320 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Floor plans
Most sessions are on the Conference Level. Brittania hosts the welcome reception, Advancing Resilience workshop, and closing plenaries. Bow Valley hosts Skills for Difficult Conversations; Bonavista hosts From Message to Impact. Meals are served in Mayfair and End Rooms. The Help Desk is located outside the Brittania Room. The Barclay Room on the Lower Level is set up as a quiet space with puzzles and fidget toys.
Things to Do
Activities
The Westin is located in the Eau Claire neighbourhood of downtown Calgary, near to Calgary’s river valley. Just a 9 minute walk north of the Westin is Prince’s Island Park, featuring trails and beautiful views.
For an indoor experience, the Calgary Tower (15 minute walk from the Westin) features a 360-degree view of Calgary from the 191-metre observation deck. Stand on the glass floor for a birds-eye view of the streets below.
For more Calgary activities, see visitcalgary.com.
Restaurants
There are many restaurants very close to the Westin, including JOEY Eau Claire, Brix + Barrel, and The Rooftop YYC.
Stephen’s Ave (8th Ave SW) is a car-free street with many restaurants and shopping options, an 8 minute walk south of the Westin. It includes popular chains such as Earl’s, Cactus Club, LOCAL, and Original Joe’s, plus independents including Barbarella and Goro + Gun.
Shopping
The CORE Shopping Centre is an 8 minute walk south of the Westin. It features 160 stores spanning several blocks without going outside, including the flagship Holt Renfrew. The CORE also features the largest point-supported structural skylight in the world, along with the Devonian Gardens – Calgary’s only indoor public park with 10,000 shrubs, fish-filled ponds, and 550 tropical palm trees on the 4th floor.
For more local shopping, see Destination Canada’s Calgary shopping guide.
FAQ
What meals are included?
Your registration includes breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dinners are not provided. The opening reception and social night will have light snacks and cash bars. Individuals with dietary restrictions should check with hotel staff for their meals.
When is hotel checkout?
Checkout time at the Westin is 11:00 am. We encourage you to check out on Wednesday prior to breakfast at 8:00 am. Luggage storage will be available at the hotel.
Is there a quiet space?
Yes – the Barclay Room on the Lower Level is set up as a quiet space with puzzles and fidget toys.
Where is the Help Desk?
The Help Desk is located outside the Brittania Room and is open during workshop hours. Contact information for Ombudspersons is available at the Help Desk.
How do I register?
Registration is handled by your union directly. See contact emails below.
Content Warning:
While attending the Labour School, participants may encounter discussions about sensitive topics, which may include trauma, workplace harassment & violence, mental health concerns, and moral distress and injury.
Registration & Contact
Registration is handled by your union.
For more information, attendees should contact their unions at these email addresses:
Social Night
The WCLS Social Night will take place at Studio Bell – National Music Centre.
Optional event – $25 to attend.
Details
Guests can dive into the evolving story of music in Canada through new and updated exhibitions, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame featuring the 2025 inductees, the Speak Up! gallery celebrating Indigenous trailblazers, and Timeless: 100 Years of Oscar Peterson honouring the centenary of a jazz legend. There is much to see and do in the museum, including a chance to play instruments, take quizzes, sing and have your voice analyzed in a vocal booth, and many other learning and interactive activities. Our event will also feature a line dancing demonstration and instruction.
Timing
Museum access from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Line dancing from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Performance Hall on the 2nd floor. Galleries on all floors will be open throughout the event.
Social Night Location
Open in Google Maps
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre – 850 4 St SE, Calgary.
Food & Drink
Appetizers and a cash bar will be available. If you have dietary restrictions, please check with your server.
Accessibility
Studio Bell is wheelchair accessible and seating will be available. For those who indicated mobility restrictions at registration, alternative transport will be arranged.
Getting there
Get directions on Google Maps
Studio Bell is about a 23 minute walk from the Westin. You can take the C-Train for free going eastbound from the 3rd St SW station to the City Hall / Bow Valley College station. Both stops are in the fare-free zone and can be found on 7 Ave SW.
After the event you can take the C-Train going westbound from the City Hall / Bow Valley College station and disembark at the 4th St SW station, with a short walk north to the Westin.
Dinner ideas
Stephen’s Ave (8th Ave SW) has no cars and many restaurants. It’s located one block south of the C-Train line, making it a great place to grab dinner before heading over. More ideas under Things to Do.