I am writing in support of my friend Russ, not because he needs another endorsement, he has plenty. I am standing beside Russ because, in 2022 when he said he would take Canada from “WORST TO FIRST”, he absolutely meant it. I was not fond of watching the big screen at the MD conferences where the 1st District was solidly in last place more times than I care to mention. I thought it was a bold statement and frankly, I thought it was an impossible claim to make happen.
Fortunately I was wrong.. In August of 2023 he was presented with a trophy for the highest gain in BA members of the 11 Districts. Then again in 2024 the 1st District achieved first place in both BA and A membership growth. The most overall in the whole IBEW. IVP Shewchuk had brought us from a negative growth to the highest growth in two years!
This kind of resolve is what the IBEW of Canada had needed for a long time. I was proud to have nominated Russ at the 2022 Convention in Chicago. Running against the incumbent was in of itself a great accomplishment. I knew he was intending to run for over two years and had been campaigning for him on the East Coast. I feel the sentiment of the delegates was that it was time for someone with a plan. Russ often says “PLAN THE WORK AND WORK THE PLAN”. He did just that. It was refreshing to see someone with goals and the gonads to make it happen. He has the ambition to accomplish anything he sets out to do.
Russ is very well known to the Prime Minister and is often called to go to Ottawa to take part in discussions and major announcements. PM Carney asked for Russ to introduce him on National television on May 14 when PM Carney announced the “Powering Canada Strong” Strategy. He then asked that the IBEW join him in St. John’s on August 17th to announce the deal to upgrade and expand Churchill Falls, develop the Gull Island project and invest in transmission lines. He pledged to spend $70 billion in what has been described as the largest clean energy investment in North American history. Russ was at the table when all of these projects were contemplated and put into motion. He ensures these jobs are IBEW jobs and our members benefit from all of these projects. The IBEW was at the table when the green energy Income Tax Credit was developed ensuring all of this work pays prevailing wages.
The IBEW has never had a brighter future than the one that is being written right now. Canada is going to develop east to west transmission lines and pipelines, develop our resources and transport them to markets other than the US.
Russ and I started out as organizers in our respective locals in 2002. We both moved through the ranks and were elected Business Managers. We learned from each other and shared many experiences. I could see from the start that he had great potential. He never hesitated to question anyone who wasn’t doing enough or doing things wrong. He had a very high standard and always focussed on growing his Local and now the 1st District. The IBEW is a better union with Russ at the helm.
I would not hesitate to recommend Russ to continue in the office of IVP because I know he is only getting started. He is the best IVP I have seen in that office since I began my career in the IBEW. Please join me in supporting his bid to win a second term.
In Solidarity,
Tom Griffiths
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
Local 625 Mainland Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
International Executive Council, District 8
IBEW Canada
