Earlier this week, the Alberta Labour Relations Board published their latest new applications report. In it was an application for certification.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees filed the application on 9 June 2026 on behalf of workers employed by The Brenda Stafford Foundation Ltd.
Created in 1975, the foundation owns 5 facilities where about 1,200 workers provide long-term and assisted living care in Calgary and Okotoks.
This application is specifically for about 175 workers employed in so-called “auxiliary” nursing care at the foundation’s Bow Valley Manor, a long-term care facility that can house up to 239 residents and is located in northwest Calgary.
Typically, “auxiliary” nursing care in long-term care refers to licensed practical nurses and health care aides.
AUPE already represents workers at the four other facilities owned by the foundation:
- Cambridge Manor
- Clifton House
- Tudor Manor
- Wentworth Manor
Workers at Tudor Manor unionized just last month.
For workers to submit a certification application in Alberta, they must demonstrate that they have support from at least 40% of the workers who will fall under the proposed bargaining unit. In this case, that will be 70 workers.
Should the ALRB approve the application, they will hold a certification vote, and the workers will have a chance to vote on whether to unionize with AUPE.
Assuming the 70 or so workers who initially showed support follow through with that support, they will need to convince 18 of their fellow workers to join them to win.
In their summary of the application, the labour board listed Kristina Beyaert as the employer contact. She is the executive director of the Brenda Stafford Foundation.
Because the ALRB does not archive their new application reports, I have attached a copy of this week’s report below for your convenience.
