The election of the federal Conservatives could have devastating effects for the labour movement and the public sector.

That was the message Nycole Turmel, the Public Service Alliance of Canada's national president, told delegates at a regional convention in Whitehorse over the weekend.

'Yes, we understand the Liberals are not the best for us, but the fear or the possibility to see a Conservative government is scary for us,' she said in an interview following her address on Saturday.

'Anything that is about equity or the public sector, they have openly said that they don't support any of this,' she added.

The PSAC North conference was the largest of its kind ever to be held in the North, attracting 150 delegates from Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.

Turmel is expected to retire in May 2006, so the event likely marked her last visit to the Yukon.

She urged members and attendees to be aware of the politics occurring in the country and to get involved in and be informed for the pending federal election.

It is their life and their future, and the union needs to get them involved, she told the Star.

The need for involvement is stressed on the level of 'Think. Act. Vote,' she added.

'As a member, as a worker, as a voter, know what you're voting on,' Turmel said.

As of 1993, PSAC has implemented several efforts to encourage public sector involvement in the political process, Turmel said.

The PSAC funds each region to provide support for various candidates for MP, she said. Candidate meetings are also sponsored to allow members to push forward their concerns and choices.

She added she hoped her address would continue to encourage candidates to run with support from PSAC North.

PSAC is not able to support one particular party at the federal level, Turmel said. The alliance instead looks at the ideals of candidates and tries to support ones sympathetic to labour concerns, she added.

Key objectives of concern for the alliance are poverty, child care and human rights issues, she said.

The Conservatives are against workers' rights, human rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and same sex rights, Turmel charged.

'They are against the public sector altogether.'

PSAC North is already developing plans on how to deal with informing the membership and the public if there is an election soon, Jean-FranÁios Des Lauriers, regional executive vice-president of PSAC North, said in an interview today.

He said there are plans to host town hall meetings, as well as have billboard and radio public service announcements.

Meetings won't just focus on allowing candidates to speak, but will also bring in speakers to provide background and information on specific election issues, he added.

Des Lauriers agreed with Turmel that the possibility of a Conservative government is a 'big concern' . He said party leader Stephen Harper has spoken out against putting money into health care and education in reference to the budget deal made between Prime Minister Paul Martin and federal NDP Leader Jack Layton.

'If they were to win, it would be a disaster for everything we have fought for,' Des Lauriers said.

He added he doesn't think there is anything wrong with having a minority government in Ottawa.

'Minority governments are more responsive to the people.'

However, he'd like to see the House as more balanced, with the NDP holding a few more seats.

Territorial NDP Leader Todd Hardy said in an interview today he suspects there may be an increase in the number of the seats for the NDP in the next federal election.

Hardy built on Turmel's message on Saturday evening, telling attendees it was union support in the last election that made a difference in electing progressive candidates.

'The N.W.T. is an excellent example where the Liberal incumbent just barely survived a well-organized challenge from the NDP candidate,' he said.

Hardy commended PSAC for its involvement in the last federal election and in drawing public attention to the issues of health care, education, poverty, housing, public infrastructure and peace.

'PSAC has been very politically active,' Hardy said, adding it's refreshing to see the forum for different views and opinions.

PSAC encourages the public to look at the parties and what they stand for, and that is good for the entire electorate, he said.

Beyond the political debate, the conference saw its own debates on the future of PSAC North.

Delegates voted on bylaws that would see the restructuring of the organization to deal with size and time zones, by pushing for fewer meetings and fewer people involved in discussions.

'There was a movement within the organization to make the structure far (more) efficient and less cumbersome,' Des Lauriers said today. At times, he added, it can be extremely difficult to get people to meet dealing with sectors and committees all across the North.

The proposal created some 'hot' debate on Saturday afternoon. Up to 20 people lined up at each microphone in the convention area.

However, in the end, restructuring was defeated. According to Des Lauriers, this is 'absolutely good news.'

The alliance's structure will stay the same and will continue to give every sector a voice and a committee, including women's groups, aboriginal groups, and GLBT groups.

Des Lauriers said PSAC North remaining inclusive is fundamental to his perception of their mission.

'Union is built by people who are seeking equality,' he said.

The delegates appeared to support Des Lauriers' philosophy of the alliance. They re-elected him with a 72-per-cent majority to continue serving as regional executive vice-president until May 2008.

Suzette Montereuil of Yellowknife also ran for the position and was elected to serve as Des Lauriers' alternate should he not be able to complete his term.

Brent Mackleberg of Whitehorse ran as well, but later withdrew and put his support behind Des Lauriers.