Welcome to Convention 2026!

One Root System: Convention Day One

From the opening smudging ceremony to the final announcement, Day One of HSAA Convention 2026 set the tone for two days of solidarity, purpose, and collective action. Under the banner of “Rooted & Rising,” health-care professionals from across Alberta gathered to reaffirm what makes our Union strong — deep roots, and an unstoppable drive to grow.

President’s Address: Mike Parker

HSAA President Mike Parker opened Convention with a speech that was equal parts reflection and rallying cry — drawing on the natural world, his own journey as a paramedic, and the hard-won history of HSAA to remind delegates what it truly means to be rooted.

Mike opened with an image of the trembling aspen groves of Alberta. To the eye, they look like hundreds of separate trees. But beneath the surface, every single aspen in a grove shares one root system.

He spoke candidly about HSAA’s journey from association to union, the dismantling of AHS, the near-strike that showed employers exactly how much power members hold, and the landmark LAPP pension win that decades of HSAA leaders planted and then later got to see come to fruition. He celebrated the Treaty Walk, a 2019 journey from Edmonton to Calgary alongside Indigenous leaders and Elders, as an example of what it means to act on values, not just proclaim them.

He closed by returning to the aspens and to the words that have always guided him:

Message from Executive Director Christine deMontigny

Executive Director Christine deMontigny marked her first full year leading HSAA with a forward-looking address that gave delegates a clear view of where the union has been, and where it’s headed.

Christine reflected on a year that was anything but quiet — the largest contract negotiations in HSAA’s history, a membership that stood on the brink of a strike, and a new strategic plan.Through it all, she credited the staff team beside her, and took the opportunity to introduce members to some of the experienced professionals working every day for HSAA members. 

Christine also shared that she recently completed a health system fellowship with the University of Alberta School of Public Health, an experience that deepened her understanding of the complexity members navigate every day.

Looking ahead, Christine outlined a shift in how HSAA operates: more data-driven, more member-informed, and more proactive. Rather than simply responding to government decisions, HSAA will be advocating for specific solutions. And rather than the Union speaking for members, the goal is to ensure members feel so connected to and supported by their Union that they become its most powerful advocates.

HSAA Awards: Celebrating Excellence

Convention 2026 honoured members whose dedication, advocacy, and leadership exemplify union values. This year’s recipients are:

• Advocacy Award: Sheri Carter
• Local Unit Champion Award: Kasia Spiker
• Workplace Health, Safety & Wellness Award: Jana Yee
• Women’s Empowerment Award: Faika Satterthwaite
• Young Workers Activism Award: Katelyn Andrews

Congratulations to all our award recipients. Your work uplifts every one of us.

Showcasing Our Work: Committees and Working Groups

Delegates were treated to a video montage highlighting the remarkable work of HSAA’s committees and working groups over the past year. Following the main session, members connected directly with committee representatives during a dedicated learning and networking activity. It was a chance to engage with the work being done on their behalf and find their place in shaping HSAA’s future.

Resolutions: Shaping Our Priorities

Delegates engaged in robust resolutions debate throughout the day, bringing member voices from every corner of Alberta to bear on the policies and priorities that will guide HSAA in the year ahead. From health-care funding to worker protections, the debates reflected the depth of commitment and expertise members bring to every issue they champion.

Finance Report: Vice-President Leanne Alfaro

Vice-President Leanne Alfaro presented the Finance Report, providing delegates with a transparent look at the Union’s financial standing. The report reflected HSAA’s continued commitment to responsible stewardship of member resources in service of our shared priorities.

More information about the Union's finances is available on the Financial Information page, as well as the 2026-2026 Annual Report.

Union Affiliate Panel: The Future of Unions in Canada

The afternoon closed with a powerful panel that placed HSAA’s work in national context. Three of the Canadian labour movement’s most prominent voices joined delegates to discuss what lies ahead for unions across the country:

• Bert Blundon, President, National Union of Public and General Employees
• Sióbhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Labour Congress
• Gil McGowan, President, Alberta Federation of Labour

Together, they painted a picture of a labour movement that, like HSAA, is rooted in its values and rising to meet the moment. Their messages energized delegates heading into the evening and set the stage for Day Two.

A Strong Start: Looking Ahead to Day Two

With a rally, the launch of new campaigns, a new Board to welcome, and more resolutions debate on the horizon, Day One made one thing abundantly clear: HSAA delegates arrived ready. Rooted in the work, rising to the challenge. Day Two promises to be even more powerful.

Faces of Care: Convention Day Two

Day Two of HSAA Convention 2026 delivered on every promise Day One made. From a moving In Memoriam to a powerful rally in the streets, from the launch of a bold new campaign to the swearing in of new leadership, delegates showed exactly what it means to be Rooted & Rising.

Vice-President’s Address: Leanne Alfaro

Vice-President Leanne Alfaro, who will step into the role of HSAA President following Convention, opened Day Two with an address that was grounded, galvanizing, and deeply personal. Drawing on more than 30 years working in electro-neurophysiology technology at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, she painted a vivid picture of why HSAA’s work matters, and what it means to rise together.

She also made clear what kind of union she intends to lead: one that listens, that reaches back when members reach out, and that speaks not for its members but with them.

In Memoriam

Convention paused to honour the HSAA members and colleagues we lost in the past year. The In Memoriam was a solemn and meaningful moment, a reminder of the human heart at the centre of everything HSAA does, and of the legacies that continue to inspire the work we carry forward.

Introducing Faces of Care: HSAA’s New Awareness Campaign

In one of the most anticipated moments of Day Two, Leanne Alfaro announced the launch of Faces of Care, HSAA's new member-driven awareness campaign. The campaign is built on a simple but powerful idea: if we want Albertans to stand with us, they need to know us.

“The Power of Collective Action” — Pre-Rally Remarks

Before delegates took to the streets, a powerful lineup of allies took the stage to remind the room why collective action matters now more than ever:

• Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director, Public Interest Alberta
• Chris Gallaway, Executive Director, Friends of Medicare
• Dr. Paul Parks, Emergency Medicine Physician and Health-Care Advocate

Rooted & Rising in the Streets: The Rally

The message was unmistakable: health care, not wealth care! There is no health care without HSAA members, and we will not be silent.

Parkland Institute: Ricardo Acuña

Following the rally, Parkland Institute’s Executive Director Ricardo Acuña brought important context and analysis to the Convention floor. His remarks connected HSAA’s work to the broader political and economic forces shaping health care in Alberta — and reinforced why an informed, organized membership is this Union’s greatest asset.

Resolutions: Member Voices, Union Direction

Delegates continued the important work of debating and passing resolutions that reflect the priorities of HSAA members across Alberta. The debate was spirited, informed, and grounded in the day-to-day realities of health-care workers. Some of the resolutions passed include:

• Strengthen protections against workplace violence through prevention measures, clear reporting processes, timely follow-up, and employer accountability.
• Protect members affected by health care restructuring by advocating for the preservation of wages, benefits, seniority, accrued entitlements, and continuity of employment.
• Raise public awareness about the impacts of Bill 29 and advocate for a workforce strategy that addresses staffing shortages and protects access to public health care.
• Support the recruitment, retention, and education of paramedics through advocacy, public awareness, and collaboration with other unions.
• Advocate for workers affected by layoffs to have opportunities to move into vacancies elsewhere in the public health system without losing seniority, service, benefits, or other earned entitlements.
• Support the development of safe scheduling and fatigue prevention policies for shift workers and on-call employees.
• Continue advocating to keep Addictions Counsellor positions within public health care and address concerns about the reclassification of these roles.
• Expand Indigenous cultural safety and anti-racism education for members, stewards, and elected leaders.
• Increase opportunities for young workers through dedicated seats at education and sponsored events and stronger engagement at the Local Unit level.
• Advocate for the regulation of Recreation Therapists under Alberta's Health Professions Act.
• Advocate for stronger action to reduce radon exposure through testing, mitigation, public education, workplace protections, and government support programs.
• And further resolutions as detailed in the final resolutions handbook.

*Please note: these are summarized and not the language passed by delegates. For full details on resolutions passed by delegates at Convention 2026, please see the updated handbook.

A Tribute to Mike Parker

After nearly a decade as HSAA President, Mike Parker was recognized for his leadership, dedication and service to members.

A paramedic by profession and an advocate by nature, Mike helped guide HSAA through some of the most significant challenges in our Union's history while never losing sight of the frontline workers he represented. Throughout his tenure, he championed stronger contracts, protected member pensions, built influential relationships across the labour movement and remained a steadfast voice for public health care.

Convention delegates, staff, board members and friends came together to celebrate Mike's contributions and thank him for the lasting impact he has made on HSAA.

Welcoming the 2026–2027 Board of Directors

Convention closed with the Oath of Office for HSAA’s incoming Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term. Outgoing board members Faika Satterthwaite, Sarah Dorma, Kris Moskal and Nancy Arlinghaus were thanked warmly for their service and contributions. 

With Leanne Alfaro stepping into the role of President, the new Board takes the helm at a pivotal moment, rooted in the work of those who came before, and rising to the challenges ahead.

Your HSAA Board of Directors is:

Leanne Alfaro, President
Omer Hussein, Vice-President
Melissa Creyke, Indigenous Equity Board Member
Janet Pederson, South District Board Member
Trevor Puritch, South District Board Member
Megan Connolly, Calgary District Board Member
Shawn Lorenz, Calgary District Board Member
Jonah Tkachuk, Calgary District Board Member
Kevin Champion, Calgary District Board Member
Darlene Fetaz, Central District Board Member
D.J. McMillan, Central District Board Member
Laurie Brassard, Edmonton District Board Member
Michael Hennig, Edmonton District Board Member
Micheal Lockerby, Edmonton District Board Member
Ella Lunn, Edmonton District Board Member
Sue Walker, Edmonton District Board Member
Michelle Hodder, North District Board Member

Convention Closes: Rooted & Rising

As Convention 2026 came to a close, delegates left with more than resolutions and rally energy. They carried home renewed purpose and new connections — the knowledge that HSAA is a union with roots deep enough to weather anything, and the drive to keep growing. From the smudging ceremonies on the balcony to the streets outside, from the Convention floor to the closing remarks, this was a Convention that showed exactly who we are. 

Rooted & Rising. 

Together.