Debra Nadeau

Before being acclaimed to the position of Regional Vice President for Ontario at the 2005 UNDE Convention, Debra was the Deputy Vice President of Ontario Region and President of Local 619 (Borden).

Her career in the federal government began in the late 70’s in Petawawa as a casual and term employee. After several postings to other locations, Debra finally ended up in Borden at the Medical Services School.

In 1991, she was participating in her first strike when she was approached by the union to represent her unit at the DELEGAAT meetings (first of the many cuts and reorganizations in the Department).

With cuts still looming, and management thinking they could do whatever they wanted, the members at the Medical Services School felt they needed to have a voice to represent them. Because of Debra's experience with DELEGAAT, in 1993, she was voted in as a steward. In 1996, she became 2nd Vice President and took on the ASD portfolio and the LMRC portfolio, and in 1997 moved up to 1st Vice-President.

In 2001, Debra successfully ran for the position of President of Local 619 and, until her election as VP, had held that position. At the 2002 UNDE Convention, she added Deputy Vice-President for the Ontario region to her responsibilities.

After the 2004 Presidents’ Conference, and with no clear guidance from the PSAC, Debra was instrumental in developing a set of strike guidelines which eventually formed the basis of the new PSAC Disciplinary Guidelines.

Debra also assisted in the establishment of the new local on the Base for private sector members working for SunLite Cleaners.

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