Minutes
February 14, 2026
Hamilton, Ontario
1) Land Acknowledgement – J. Purdie
2) Opening Remarks – J. Purdie
3) Approval of Agenda
● Agenda Approved
4) Approval of Minutes
Nov 22, 2025 – Minutes approved as amended
November 26, 2025 – Minutes approved
December 22, 2025 – Minutes approved
5) Matters Arising / Tracking Report – J. Purdie
● Updated tracking items for action
6) Director’s Report – J. Purdie
● Branch Presidents have started sending dates for AGMs, making it easier to schedule attendance.
● BOD – This year will be the first full year with the COO on staff. Awaiting further information on Org charge and reporting structure as it is being reviewed.
● Nationally, both staff unions are in negotiations for collective agreements. Discussion on staff benefits packages, and the Group Life Trust.
● Meetings with the Building Trust regarding development happening around the building, and marketability of the building.
● RTO is being discussed at the BOD. The IT group was in a position to file unfair labour practice complaints as they are in bargaining.
● WFA is another big topic at the board.
● BOD is looking to ensure more clarity between governance and operational items within the Institute.
7) Treasurer’s Report – T. Yantsis
● Requested allotment – will likely be paid in March, may need advance to pay for Regional Council swag.
● We still have 17 portfolios left for Basic Steward Training
● We have an outstanding cheque for AFS group hospitality at AGM.
● Presented Regional Council financial information
● Motion by T. Yansis to approve the financial statements to be presented at the ORC. Seconded by S. Labbe. Motion passed.
8) Committee Reports
(a) BOARD OF DIRECTORS (“BOD”) COMMITTEES
i. By-Laws and Policies Committee (“BLPC”) – R. Samra
● No report was received.
● Any Bylaw changes should be sent through BLPC PIPSC website for formatting of submissions and how they are submitted, with a copy to the Ontario Regional Representative R. Samra
ii. Finance Committee – T. Yantsis
● Feb 6 meeting – met new Committee Members and Chair
● Went over procedures and confidentiality.
● Discussion of travel claims and how we can provide clarity for members.
● The next meeting is Monday March 23, 2026.
iii. Human Rights and Diversity Committee (“HRDC”) – P. Breadner
● No report was received.
● The next meeting will be the first meeting with the new Ontario Region Member.
iv. Information Technology Services and Projects Committee (“ITSP”) – D. Scarling
● Briefing note received and reviewed
v. Science Advisory Committee (“SAC”) – F. Scott
● Briefing note received and reviewed
vi. Training, Education and Mentoring (“TEAM”) Committee – B. Brawley
● January 9 &10 – first TEAM meeting for the year, planning meeting. The Committee now has a list of action items, very structured start to the year.
● Mentoring program – being developed
● Next meeting is March 21, 2026
● National Training – CLC training: Violence in the Workplace
● Up to 60 stewards will be training
● B. Brawley will look into training materials to ensure it is appropriate for provincially and federally regulated workplaces.
● Located in Ottawa
● EROs and Peer to Peer trainers to present
● Potentially May 8 and 9, 2026
vii. Elections Committee – T. Azab
viii. Elections Appeals Committee – R. Monize
(b) ONTARIO AND NUNAVUT REGION EXECUTIVE (“ORE”) COMMITTEES/LIAISONS
i. Training Committee – B. Brawley
● Training on March 27& 28 – Chelsea Hotel – Core Executive Training.
● Discussion on how and when the training materials get updated as policies etc. change. B. Brawley will bring up with TEAM to determine when and how this review takes place.
● Advanced Training May 27 Kingston Delta.
● Advanced Training Nov 18-21, 2026, Hamilton. B. Brawley will confirm if it is booked and the contract is signed.
● Basic training Feb 4-6, 2027 – Pantages Hotel. B. Brawley will confirm if it is booked and contract is signed
● Spring Advanced Training May 5-8, 2027 – White Oaks Niagara Falls – B. Brawley to confirm if it is booked and contract is signed.
● March 2027 Stand Alone training, 2 days
● Motion by B. Brawley to obtain quotes for 2-day standalone training in Barrie, London, Niagara Falls. Seconded by M. Horn. Motion passed.
● A report will be prepared for the Regional Council.
ii. By-Law & Policy – S. Labbé
● Up to date
iii. Visibility and Mobilization Events (“VME”) – S. Labbé, M. Horn, F. Akol
● Newsletter – F. Akol presented a draft newsletter for review by the ONRE to review. M. Horn will reach out to Branch Presidents for AGM and social events. The newsletter was reviewed; Felix will review and provide another draft to get ready for distribution before the Ontario Regional Council.
● Plan to roll out information for local events – Providing information to Branches for resources on events and important dates. There is a National Mobilization Team, but they do not seem to provide a lot of support for Branches and the region.
● Liaise with the committees – HRDC has caucuses that can be a resource as well.
● Recommend that important dates from the Human Rights Office has mandated for Public Servants in the PIPSC calendar going forward.
iv. Ontario Provincial Group – T. MacDonald
● Report received and reviewed.
● Request for J. Purdie to reach out to Cancer Centre president Rob Hancock about approaching MPs
● Provincial groups are happy with EROs assigned.
● Request for J. Purdie to have regional office communicate staffing changes.
● Request for J. Purdie to have the regional office communicate to Provincial groups that regular meetings with EROs are no longer taking place.
● The COO was present at the last SEG meeting.
● Goal to do a survey for provincial groups.
● Working on succession planning.
● T. MacDonald will reach out to provincial groups to determine if Core Executive Body Training is needed for any non-stewards.
v. Branch Liaison – M. Horn
● Report received and reviewed.
● The next meeting will be right before the ORC in April – Agenda to be created and shared.
vi. Young Professionals
● R. Samra will chair
● 2-year mandate – renews this year.
vii. Legacy Foundation – J. Purdie
● $215,000 this year – scholarships will be expanded. Change needed if members want to be able to apply for the memberships as well.
● Raffles are well received. We will continue this at Regional Council, Steward Council and Advanced Training events.
9) Ontario Region Council (“ORC”) – J. Purdie and T. Zaharopoulos
● Reviewed Agenda
● 6 positions open for election: 5 members for 2-year term, 1 member for 1 year term
● Election Committee
● Motion by B. Brawley made a motion that 1 year term will be assigned to the member who received the 6th highest number of votes during the election. Seconded by F. Akol. Motion passed.
● Nominations form are available on the website.
● Motion by S. Labbe to allow members who are unable to attend ORC to send a video or have another member in attendance to speak on their behalf. Seconded by F. Akol.
o Motion to split:
● Motion to allow members who are unable to attend ORC to send a video on their behalf. Motion passed.
● Motion to allow members who are unable to attend ORC to send a video on their behalf. Motion failed.
● Motion by T. Yansis makes the motion to limit all election speeches to 2 minutes. Seconded by S. Labbe. Motion passed.
● Clarification: Do the amendments apply to only 2026 or going forward? All amendments will apply going forward, future Elections Committee can bring forward any changes as motions to Regional Executive.
● Branch Presidents have received tentative allocation numbers of delegates.
● Final Agenda Approved
● T. Yansis will review swag and report back to ONRE
10) Ontario Steward Council (“OSC”) – B. Brawley
● Discussion with staff manager on keynote speaker
● Draft Agenda for next meeting.
● Treasurers Training – will it be available at Steward Council? Will canvas branch
11) Planning Document – J. Purdie
● Review planning document and ensure that dates are accurate for Strat. Planning meeting.
12) New Business
(a) CLC attendees
● May 11-16, 2026, Winnipeg
● 2 delegate seats to the CLC available
● M. Horn and F. Akol put forward for seat allocation
(b) AGM
● Motion to go into closed session. F. Akol.
● Motion to come out of closed session T. Yansis
(c) Toronto Office
● Staff Changes
o Tony Jones – Manager and A/General Council
o Emma Landy – A/Manager (until April 2026)
o Staff is moving to NCR positions, leaving the Ontario Region with new EROs that have a learning curve.
● PIPSC website will be up and running in March 2026. Will be rolled out to all members.
● Regional Logo approved.
(d) ONRE meeting dates
● April 16 (ORC is April 17 & 18th)
● June 26, 27 – Rocky Crest – strategic planning and ONRE meeting
● July 17 meet and greet – 18th ORNE meeting – Planning Guelph Kitchener
● Sept 17 – prior to steward council
● Dec 5 – Toronto near Adelaide
13) Round Table
(a) Tom – Expecting his first grandchild this year.