On November 4, 2025, Barry Sawyer was elected by UFCW Canada’s National Council to the position of UFCW Canada National President. This comes after outgoing National President Shawn Haggerty stepped down from the role after having been elected to the position of International Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW in Washington.

Barry has been a long-time friend to UFCW Local 247, whether it was when he was working for his UFCW local union in Ontario or over the past several years, as Executive Assistant to two National Presidents.

Barry’s career has spanned three decades, starting first as UFCW shop steward in a retail store before gaining direct experience in so many areas of our union’s work: from providing members with frontline services to organizing, arbitrations and both small- and large-scale bargaining.

“Through all our years working with Barry, we’ve come to know him as a reliable partner at the national level,” UFCW Local 247 President Dan Goodman. Barry understands both the kinds of unique challenges faced by local unions in different parts of the country as well as the importance of having a national and international perspective on issues.”

“We congratulate Barry on his election to his new position,” said UFCW Local 247 Secretary Treasurer, Cathy Shannon. “Whenever we’ve approached him for UFCW Canada’s support, he’s always known exactly who to ask and what resources to mobilize.”

“As our local continues to transform the way we do our work, we are pleased know that we can continue to count on Barry’s leadership,” Goodman continued. “While many of our members know Barry already, we are excited to continue to build on those connections and show just how important it is to be part of a strong national and international union.”