The Society of United Professionals, Bruce Power Local, continues to invest in the communities in the Bruce region where most of its members live and work.
The labour union local represents engineers, scientists, supervisors and other professionals who work at the Bruce Power nuclear plant.
Since 2010, it has made more than $2.5 million in donations to community organizations and projects. From health and wellness, Indigenous housing access, doctor shortages, to food insecurity the local is tackling a variety of issues head-on in collaboration with municipal and community partners.
“Through its Community Foundations Fund, the Society’s Bruce Power Local is punching above its weight to build stronger communities where everyone can get the support they need,” said Local President Michelle Johnston.
Johnston was speaking at the opening of the new Bruce Power Local hub in Tiverton on September 4th (2024). The centre includes Society offices, a boardroom and training facility. Among those who attended were Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Kincardine Mayor Kenneth Craig, Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Bruce Power CEO Eric Chassard.
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“With the proposed expansion of Bruce C, the Society is pleased to wor with the leadership of Bruce Power to see theproject to completion,” added Johnston. “This space will be ready to support new members and demonstrates our union’s strong commitment to the area. The doors will be open for our labour allies and SPARKS training to help young people find a pathway in the skilled trades.”
“The Society is creating a hub that will have a positive impact for future generations in the region,” said MPP Lisa Thompson, “and we know that Local 160 is all about community.”
Mayor Kenneth Craig also pointed out that the value and worth of any organization and donation is at an individual level. “While the publicity is warranted, it’s the affect on individuals that’s important.”
At the opening, the Society presented two donations: $100,000 to the Saugeen Shores Aquatic and Wellness Centre (AWC) currently under construction in Port Elgin and $25,000 to Support Ontario Youth. The donations bring the total from the Society to $2,509,253.
In addition, the Local recently donated $10,000 to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation towards the new CAT scan machine for Southampton Hospital. “We have friends and family who use the hospital and who will use the Aquatic Centre,” said Local Vice-President Dave Ceksters. “This is our home and we all thrive when the community thrives.”
Access to healthcare is a major concern for the region and, to help attract medical doctors to the area, the Society purchased two condos in Southampton in 2010 and two houses in Kincardine in 2013. The homes are the leased to their respective towns for $1 annually and provide temporary housing to physicians moving to the community while also housing physician interns and locum doctors. The Society also pays the annual property tax for each property.
Ceksters also pointed out that the Local has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help build housing in the Indigenous communities of Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, Neyaashiinigimiing (Cape Croker). “It is one way the Society is working to address the historic and on-going inequity between First Nations peoples and settlers.”
The Bruce Local has also donated significant funds to local food banks in the region to help meet the dramatic rise in usage due to unstable employment and rising inflation on food prices in the wake of the pandemic.
Following the opening guests were invited to tour the new facility and were treated to a buffet charcuterie, prepared by Jaclyn Shewchuck, owner of the the local Amberley catering company, Dybosia. Eric Tiisler of the Society of United Professionals said that they use local companies whenever possible. “Dybosia is one of our local companies that we call on.”
