NR Ville de Québec Sub-Group
Minutes of the first meeting of 2025 of the Executive Committee
Held on
March 13, 2025
at Pacini Lebourgneuf restaurant, Québec
|
When? March 13, 2025 |
Where? Pacini Lebourgneuf |
|
RE: First 2025 meeting of the Executive Committee of the NR Ville de Québec Sub-Group |
|
|
Directors present
Directors absent
|
Agenda
|
|
Agenda Item |
Who’s responsible |
Discussion |
Action required by |
|
1. Welcome |
Patrick |
Greetings. |
|
|
2. Call to order |
Patrick |
The meeting started at 5:46 p.m. The quorum was established. |
|
|
3. President’s opening remarks |
Patrick |
The President welcomed everyone. Patrick emphasized that he would like to hold a second meeting at the beginning of summer. The Québec Branch meeting will be held on March 18, 2025. |
|
|
4. Review and adoption of the agenda |
Jessika |
Bernard proposed the adoption of the agenda as drafted, and Samuel seconded the motion. |
|
|
5. Reading and approval of the minutes from the last Executive meeting |
Patrick |
It has been noted that the minutes of the last Executive Committee meeting are not archived in the Sub-Group’s Google Drive. The Committee discussed the use of Google Drive and spent some time figuring out how to give all the Committee members access to create and edit files. The operation was a success, and Jessika transferred the September 2024 minutes. The Committee reviewed other background documents, including a table showing the number of members per sub-group. The Committee briefly reviewed the minutes of the last meeting. It stated that the Committee should conduct an annual review of its Constitution and Bylaws. Jessika mentioned that a lot of time was wasted searching Google Drive and that reviewing the Constitution and Bylaws would take up another significant portion of the meeting. The Committee decided that this review would take place at a later meeting of the Executive. Jessika moved to approve the minutes of the September 2024 meeting. Bernard seconded. The minutes were adopted. |
|
|
6. Financial statement |
Jean-Luc |
Jessika updated us on the progress of the process to obtain the Sub-Group’s annual allocation: the minutes of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the financial statements, including the budget for 2025, were not sent to PIPSC until the end of February, and there was some confusion in choosing the correct recipient. An election report was also requested, but since it was not an election year, she asked if the minutes would suffice. She asked the Committee if they had already sent election reports and if they had a template. None of the Committee members present had any response regarding the election report. [Added later: Jean-Luc sent Patrick and Jessika the election report template for the Québec Branch.] Jessika apologized for the delay caused by her actions. Jean-Luc presented a review of the end of 2024. He explained that the AGM’s Murder Mystery activity had cost more than expected. Jean-Luc and Patrick speculated on the reasons for the overspend: the cost of included drinks may have been underestimated, as well as the tip for the entire bill. Fortunately, the Québec Branch contributed a significant portion of the amount ($1,000), which was granted to the Sub-Group upon request to encourage the organization of activities. Jean-Luc pointed out that there was still only $142.00 left in the Sub-Group’s bank account at the end of the year. This situation is positive in that the money was spent for the benefit of members, which is the mission of the Sub-Group, and the amount does not exceed the maximum to obtain the full annual PIPSC allowance. However, Jean-Luc would have felt more comfortable with more leeway. Overall, the Committee found that the AGM Murder Mystery event was a success, but that it will not be possible to repeat the experience unless we are in a particularly prosperous financial position in the coming years. Patrick believes that PIPSC’s annual allowance should be more than $2,000.00. Jean-Luc reminded us that it is essential to obtain this allowance in order to organize activities. Jessika promised us she would continue the process to obtain it. [Note: The annual allowance was received on March 21, 2025, and amounted to $2,713.00.] |
|
|
7. Review of activities since the AGM |
Patrick |
After the AGM of the NR Ville de Québec Sub-Group, there was the AGM of the NR Group in Gatineau. Patrick attended. He told us that there were issues with finances: some members calculated budget items live and noticed errors or asked for explanations. One of the frequently contested elements was the fact that the computers, Internet plans, cell phones, and mobile plans of the NR Group’s Executive Board members are paid for by the members. The Committee was also surprised by this situation. Patrick also reported that the NR Group had announced that it was ending the year with a significant amount in its coffers, to the point that they would not receive their full annual allowance. At the meeting, he had proposed redistributing the surplus amount to the sub-groups, but this was not accepted. The NR Group justified this decision by arguing that the time frame between the November AGM and December 31 was too tight. The Committee is unhappy with this situation and does not appreciate that large sums of money remain unused. The discussion shifted to the increase in PIPSC dues, which is approximately $17.25 per month per member, representing an increase of approximately 25%. The Committee is against this increase. Jessika pointed out that several members of her workplace had expressed their disapproval to her. Patrick reminded us that this increase has already been adopted and that a new motion and vote at the PIPSC General Meeting would be required to change the dues amount again. The Committee discussed the procedures for introducing a motion. Jean-Luc pointed out that there were monetary surpluses not only in the NR group, but also in the Québec Branch. This leads him to question the real usefulness of changing membership fees. The recurring topic of PIPSC’s meager strike fund was raised once again. As a founding member, Jean-Luc reminded us that the purpose of the Sub-Group was to establish communication with the largest entities within the Union. Samuel believes that if the vote on dues had been put to the members rather than the delegates, the amendment motion would probably not have been passed. Jean-Luc told us that he perceives a disconnect between delegates and members on the ground but reminded us that this situation stems in particular from the fact that the vast majority of members are not very involved in union affairs. Bernard pointed out that no one around the table seemed to know the rationale behind the motion or the reasons that led the delegates to adopt it. For example, he noted that the Committee does not know how long it has been since the last increase. Patrick and Jean-Luc participated in a meeting of the Québec Branch, whose French name has recently changed. |
|
|
8. Update on the progress of ENG at the Valcartier Research Center |
All |
In December, Patrick learned that the ENG career advancement program at the Valcartier Research Center was about to be adopted. The exact nature of the program is not yet known, but it is most likely similar to the one proposed several years ago by Jean-Luc, namely that of the ADM (Assistant Deputy Minister) – Materiel. Jean-Luc explained that this program is structured so that ENG careers at Valcartier automatically advance from ENG-2 to ENG-4 if certain criteria are met. There are still questions about how this program will be implemented, and Patrick will have more information soon. Samuel asked if there will be an official announcement. Patrick assumes so but doesn’t know when. |
|
|
9. Discussion on upcoming activities |
All |
On April 23, 2025, health and safety training will be offered to members and delegates at Estrimont. There will be a meeting of the Québec Branch Executive in mid-March. Joint activities are planned, including a lecture by a history professor from Cégep Garneau. Jean-Luc asked to write to the NR Group to remind them that there had been a significant surplus last year and that the NR Sub-Group might need it. Patrick mentioned that the NR Group voted that, starting in 2025, funds will be available for sub-groups that carry out activities. The Committee would like to organize at least one activity for members of the Ville de Québec this year and has discussed several possibilities. Jessika proposed Quiz Room Québec, a company that allows groups to participate in a game of Trivia, similar to the television quiz show. The Committee is interested in the idea. The proposal would include an “after-game” event at Siboire Saint-Vallier (4 minutes’ walk away) with one drink per person included. The proposed date would be May 22, and only members of the Sub-Group and their guests would be invited. Samuel suggested a wine and cheese event, which would be more like a networking event. Jean-Luc suggested holding the activity at the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations | Expérience autochtone. It would take place in partnership with the DS Sub-Group towards the end of September or in October. Jessika pointed out that this might help expand the network of members interested in the Sub-Group before the AGM, which is scheduled for November. Patrick believes this is a good opportunity to apply for funding from PIPSC’s Better Together program. The Committee considered other ideas, such as attending a sporting event, potentially involving the rental of a box at the Videotron Centre for the AGM before the game. Jean-Luc pointed out that in the first year of the NR Sub-Group, a survey had been organized among members to find out what issues were important to them. He would like to conduct another survey of this type, with a list of issues that members would have to rank in order of priority. The Committee believes that this is indeed a good time to learn about and promote the proposals of the Sub-Group members, as the NR Group is beginning to accumulate this type of data in preparation for the next collective agreement negotiations. Jean-Luc will contact a staff person in order to use the tools made available to us by PIPSC. |
Patrick (Quiz Room) Bernard (Siboire)
Jean-Luc: survey creation |
|
10. New Business |
|
No new business. |
|
|
11. Adjournment of the meeting |
|
Jean-Luc proposed adjourning the meeting, and Bernard seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. In the coming days, Jessika will send the minutes of the meeting to the other members of the Executive for confirmation, and then to the PIPSC representative. |
Jessika |