2 vie in national election to lead CWA Canada

Two contenders will square off in a national election to replace outgoing CWA Canada President Martin O’Hanlon.

The National Election Committee will conduct the election in which all members of the media union are eligible to vote. Each Local will choose how to conduct the voting, either electronically, on location or via mail-in ballots. Votes will be counted by June 19 and the results announced immediately.

Meredith Martin and Carmel Smyth, both of whom are members of CWA Canada Local 30213 (the Canadian Media Guild), will vie to be president, which is a full-time paid position.

Lois Kirkup, who was acclaimed, continues in the post of vice-president for another four-year term, which begins in July. She is a longtime member and past president of the Ottawa Newspaper Guild. Kirkup and O’Hanlon were first elected to the two top leadership positions in 2011.

Meredith Martin, a producer/journalist with 20 years of experience at Ontario’s public broadcaster, was recently elected president of the Canadian Media Guild’s TVO branch. She has issued this candidate statement.

Carmel Smyth, a journalist with 25 years of experience in private and public broadcasting, was president of the Canadian Media Guild for nine years. She has issued this candidate statement.