Linkages 2026 Skilled Trades Panel Discussion

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Tanya Palson
Executive Director, Manitoba Building Trades

Executive Director of Manitoba Building Trades, representing approximately 8,000 unionized skilled-trades professionals across the province, Tanya advances workforce development, equitable employment opportunities and responsible infrastructure investment while leading the implementation of Manitoba Jobs Agreements on major public projects.

Tanya also serves as Chair of the Apprenticeship and Certification Board of Manitoba. Her leadership focuses on strengthening apprenticeship pathways, responding to skilled-labour needs and expanding opportunities in the skilled trades.

A proud Métis leader, Tanya is committed to reconciliation, community development and ensuring that Manitobans benefit from the employment and training opportunities created through economic growth. She studied political science at the University of Winnipeg and public policy at the London School of Economics.

Glenn Laycock
Executive Director, Northern Manitoba Sector Council (NMSC)

Executive Director of the Northern Manitoba Sector Council (NMSC) and a lifelong resident of Thompson, Manitoba, Glenn has nearly four decades of experience in the mining sector and northern workforce development. He brings deep operational knowledge, regional insight, and a strong commitment to advancing training and employment opportunities across Northern Manitoba.

Glenn began his career in the mining industry in 1987, spending 30 years with Inco/Vale. During his tenure, he worked in a wide range of roles that provided him with extensive technical, logistical, and leadership experience. His positions included Underground Miner, Superintendent of Training, and Superintendent of Logistics at the T-1 Mine. Glenn was granted an education leave during his career and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Winnipeg. He retired from Inco/Vale in 2019.

For the past seven years, Glenn has served with the Northern Manitoba Sector Council in its Thompson office, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on workforce development, industry collaboration, Indigenous training pathways, and labour market planning for the region. His work supports multiple northern industries, including mining, transportation, construction, and emerging economic sectors.

In addition to his role with NMSC, Glenn serves on the Apprenticeship Board of Manitoba, and Manitoba Mineral Fund contributing his expertise to provincial apprenticeship planning, policy, and program development.

Fred Meier
President and CEO, RRC Polytech

Fred Meier became President and CEO of RRC Polytech – Manitoba’s only polytechnic institution – in 2020, leading the Polytech through transformative academic and institutional growth.

Fred’s vision has guided RRC Polytech in embracing its identity as a polytechnic, launching a bold strategic plan to anticipate industry needs and prepare a workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Key priorities include delivering industry-aligned programming for over 20,000 students, advancing Truth and Reconciliation, embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion, and deepening industry partnerships in Manitoba and beyond.

Under Fred’s leadership, RRC Polytech surpassed the $60-million target for its largest-ever fundraising campaign in under two years. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Price Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics and the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts, solidifying the Polytech’s leadership in applied research and work-integrated learning.

Fred emphasizes collaboration and fostering a positive, inclusive work environment, recognizing employee engagement as essential to institutional success. He is also deeply committed to Truth and Reconciliation, seeking guidance and learning from Knowledge Keepers, Elders and Grandmothers in Residence to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into Polytech practices, from policies to the naming of spaces.

Before joining RRC Polytech, Fred held senior leadership roles in Manitoba’s public service, including as Clerk of Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet. He holds a Master of Science from the University of Manitoba. An avid cyclist, Fred enjoys exploring the outdoors, curling, and spending time with his family.

John Morris
Co-Director, Mining Association of Manitoba Inc.

John brings to REMEDY’s client partners a strong network, complimented by his comprehensive and first-hand expertise in the workings of government, public policy and strategic communications. His 30 year career encompasses several senior-level policy and communications positions across all three levels of government, as well as a track record of success as a public affairs and government relations consultant, working with a range of national and international companies and organizations.

John’s background extends into natural resources, industrial development, environmental policy, regulation, and law, with over twelve years of federal public service at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and as a senior staffer in Ottawa for three federal cabinet ministers including Fisheries and two ministers of Environment.

Following his service on Parliament Hill John began working for a major international communications firm as VP of Public Affairs. As lead on several large client files, John provided strategic regulatory and government relations counsel to CEOs and senior executives for numerous national and international clients in the pipeline, mining, airline, transportation and food sectors.

John returned to Winnipeg in 2015 as the director of policy to newly elected Mayor Brian Bowman. As director of policy to the new Mayor, John provided oversight and advice on numerous policy files and the annual budget, contributing to his ability to create and negotiate solutions to many of the current issues and challenges that businesses, organizations and individuals face in interfacing successfully with government. Next, as a lead government relations consultant for the University of Manitoba, John provided strategic government relations advice, helping to establish and maintain strong working relationships with the city, province and federal government with the U of M’s President and senior executive team.

In 2017, John started a GR practice at KiK Partners which grew to serve more than twenty clients. When KiK ultimately merged with a large local marketing agency, John founded REMEDY as a freestanding consulting firm specializing in Government Relations and Public Affairs. Here he applies his strategic insight, hands-on experience, deep and broad political and business network and record of success to the benefit of a select group of local, regional and national clients. In addition to his contracted roles as Executive Director for several large industry trade associations, John has also worked with other regional and national industry associations. John’s leadership role within REMEDY also has established working partnerships with a number of large public affairs and government relations firms, providing strategic and advocacy on the ground to yield successful results for national clients in need of nuanced local solutions.

John is also a member of Royal Canadian Navy Reserves as a Public Affairs Officer with almost three decades of service.

Shawn Wood, CD
Executive Director, Construction Association of Rural Manitoba

Shawn provides leadership, direction, and guidance for the CARM Board of Directors, membership, as well as the CARM team. Shawn has retired from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 2020 after completing 24+ years of service to his country. As a member of the CAF, Shawn was employed as an Infantrymen, Supply Technician and leader who dealt with supervising soldiers and civilians, human resources, supply chain management, planning, contracts, procurement, and finance including budget/business planning. Shawn was also a trusted advisor to senior leadership as the harassment advisor, ethics coordinator, and workplace safety advisor. Shawn has had the opportunity during the final 10 years of his military career to advise directorate level positions within the federal government on a daily basis. Shawn has been able to transfer those skills into his role as Executive Director in dealing with Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments. Over the past 5 years, Shawn has been influential in advocating for the construction Industry, building partnerships with partner associations and increasing the awareness of CARM. In his off time, Shawn is the Vice Chair for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, recently stepped down as the Chair for the Brandon Career Symposium, but remains on their Board of Directors and is a key member of the “Grow Brandon” group. Shawn has been married for 33 years to his wife Lee Ann, they have two children, a son in-law, and a grandson. When not volunteering Shawn spends him time on the acreage tending to their garden and raising livestock.

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Linkages 2026 Skilled Trades Panel Discussion

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