Workers’ Resource Centre

The Workers’ Resource Centre supports Alberta workers by helping them understand their rights, access benefits, and file complaints and appeals with employment-related agencies, including Employment Standards, Employment Insurance (EI), the Alberta Human Rights Commission, Canada Pension Plan – Disability (CPP-D), Workplace Injury, and Alberta Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). Our three core programs—Casework, Public Legal Education and Social Supports—are designed to assist Alberta workers effectively.

The Workers Resource Centre is a registered charitable organization funded by the Alberta Law Foundation, United Way of Calgary and Area, and the City of Calgary’s Family and Community Support Services, along with generous contributions from community groups and individual donors.

Uddam’s Story

“From the time he first came to Canada nearly 30 years ago Uddam worked hard to help build a better life…”

Services Summary

Casework Program

We provide support to workers, guiding them through their options for employment-related issues. Our caseworkers help workers understand their rights and assist them in obtaining benefits and social supports.

Public Legal Education

Our Public Legal Education Program provides free workshops that make complex legal concepts easy to understand. We partner with community organizations to offer these workshops across Alberta and online.

Income and Social Supports Program

For workers experiencing serious financial difficulties, we help connect them to social support programs available in Alberta. We help with accessing income support, housing, food banks and more.

Learn more about the Workers’ Resource Centre in your language here

Team

Carolyn

Damipe

Rubina

Megan

Quinn

Zoe

Ope

Banafsheh

Kennedy

Fiona

Carolyn

Damipe

Rubina

Megan

Quinn

Zoe

Ope

Banafsheh

Kennedy

Fiona

Board

Emily is a lawyer with a primarily litigation/advocacy practice who has worked at the trial and appellate level in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Federal Courts, and at numerous administrative tribunals. She practices in employment, construction and administrative law, as well as a variety of work with First Nations and as general counsel for several local companies specializing in construction, real estate development and engineering. Emily is a passionate believer in access to justice and is proud to be a member of the board at the Workers’ Resource Centre.

Alexander is a proud member of UFCW Local 401 and served as vice president from 2009 to 2012. In 2011, he was elected President of the Calgary and District Labour Council, a position he is honoured to hold. He has served the Workers’ Resource Centre in various roles since 2010, most currently as Treasurer. He has also held roles in Public Interest Alberta and Friends of Medicare.

Sarah is a social worker, working for the past 17 years as a medical social worker in the hospital setting. She also serves as a Board of Director for the union Health Sciences Association of Alberta. Through this work in both social work and union leadership, Sarah has a passion for educating workers of their rights, connecting, and advocating for workers.

Nour is the Manager of the Cultural Brokerage Program and Translation Services at Calgary Catholic Immigration Society and has dedicated most of his professional career to support newcomers with their settlement and integration needs. Nour has served on different boards and committees related to immigration, refugees, inclusion, diversity and culture. In addition to the Workers’ Resource Centre, Nour also serves on the Grant Advisory Committee at The Calgary Foundation.

Karen is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Alberta Federation of Labour. She has been a registered nurse since 1993 specializing in gerontology and served on the executive board of United Nurses of Alberta for 10 years. Over the past three decades, Karen has been a dedicated advocate for workers, patients, the labour movement, and civil society. She is a proud union member and social justice activist.

Funders

The Alberta Law Foundation funds programs that conduct legal research, propose law reforms, improve Albertans’ knowledge of their legal rights and responsibilities, and help them effectively exercise their rights under the law. Learn more about the Alberta Law Foundation here.
The United Way of Calgary and Area is a social impact charity that is passionate about deepening and diversifying the impact of community support. It brings people and organizations together to develop new solutions to address critical issues in the community, focusing on mental health, healthy relationships, socio-economic wellbeing, and social inclusion. Learn more about the United Way of Calgary and Area here.
FCSS is a joint municipal-provincial funding program that provides preventive social services to tens of thousands of Calgarians and leverages millions of dollars through volunteer contributions and fundraised dollars. Learn more about FCSS here.

FAQs

Our services are free for Alberta workers. We do not charge for casework appointments or for our public legal education workshops.

No. We are not lawyers and cannot provide legal representation. If you wish to pursue legal action against your employer in court, you can contact a lawyer in Alberta.