Who We Are

The Victoria Labour Council (VLC) is the local organization of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) at the city level. The CLC represents 3.2 million unionized workers across Canada. The VLC was founded over 100 years ago and is one of the oldest labour organizations in BC.

We organize local unions in our jurisdiction to carry out the national policies of the CLC; to participate in national action campaigns; to assist unions on strike; to organize political action; to develop international solidarity and to work for social justice in the community.

We acknowledge with respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose traditional territory the Victoria Labour Council works and the (Songhees and Xwsepsum/Kosapsum and WSÁNEĆ (SȾÁUTW/Tsawout, W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip, BOḰEĆEN/Pauquachin, WSIḴEM/Tseycum) peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. May we build strong working relationships with all local nations with trust, humility, kindness, respect and continue to walk softly on these ancestral lands.

Executive Council

Kirk Mercer (CUPE 951) President
Barbara Riggs (HEU- RJH) Treasurer
Shona Dion (MOVE UP) Recording Secretary
Corey McGregor (IBEW230) Sergeant-at-Arms
Meagan Gagnon (UFCW) Young Worker Rep
Kirsten Smestad (BCGEU)
Charlotte Mllington (HEU)
Paula White (BCFMWU)
Steve McAusland (UFCW)
Colin Plant (BCTF)
Cale McLellan (CUPE)

Small Unions Caucus

George Scott (IATSE)
Bridget Hughes (Move Up 378)
Christine Ambrose (HSA-QA)
Sasha Kvakic (PSAC)

External Representatives

Orion Irvine (CLC)

Committees

Committees bring people together to advance ideas and actions within the Labour Council. Committees report back to the Executive Board and General Membership offering insight and recommendations grounded in trade union values.

Contact us for more information on joining a committee.

Political Action Committee

The Victoria Labour Council Political Action Committee is an ad hoc committee established by the VLC Executive for the purpose of increasing labour’s profile and worker engagement in political campaigns, before, during and after elections.

Education Committee

The Victoria Labour Council Education Committee is a committee established by the VLC Executive for the purpose of planning labour education events.

Social Planning Committee

The Social Planning Committee organizes Pride, Labour Day and the Christmas Social. This committee operates as needed throughout the year.

Women and Gender Rights Committee

The Victoria Labour Council’s Women and Gender Rights Committee is a standing committee established by the VLC Executive for the purpose of promoting and advancing the status of women and people who identify as women.  This includes as priorities addressing issues of inclusion, gender based violence, barriers and reproductive rights.

The WGRC will meet on the following dates in 2026:
Monday March 23 – online
Monday September 28 – online
Monday November 23 – online