Québec City Chapter, Retired Members Guild
MINUTES of the Executive meeting of the Québec City Chapter of the Retired Members Guild (RMG), held August 29, 2018 at Le Rascal restaurant, 5050 Wilfrid-Hamel Boulevard, Québec City, Quebec G2E 5X5
IN ATTENDANCE: Jean-Pierre Morency
André Cantin
Élie Ahad
Michel Bédard
Madeleine Lapointe
Léandre Sévigny
Guest: Yvon Brodeur
1.0 Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m.
The President, Jean-Pierre Morency, welcomed the members present and extended a special welcome to our guest, Yvon Brodeur.
Michel Bédard said that Daniel Brouillette had sent us an email informing us that he would not be able to attend the meeting.
2.0 Review and Approval of the Agenda
The President read the agenda.
Michel Bédard, seconded by Léandre Sévigny, moved that it be approved.
Carried unanimously.
3.0 Reading and Adoption of the March 28, 2018 Meeting Minutes
Michel Bédard, seconded by Élie Ahad, moved to approve the minutes of the March 28, 2018 meeting.
Carried unanimously.
Madeleine Lapointe will send the minutes for posting on the PIPSC website.
Action: Madeleine Lapointe
4.0 Follow-up on the March 28, 2018 Meeting Minutes
Item 3.0 Michel Bédard will send the minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2017 for posting on the PIPSC website.
Action completed
Item 6.0 A request will be made to Regional Representative Élie Ahad to make a motion at the next National Executive meeting to at least post the available minutes of the National RMG AGMs. See item 6.0 for the outcome.
Action completed
Item 9.0 a) Élie Ahad, Regional Representative, will request the list of regional members at the end of July.
Action completed
Item 9.0 b) Madeleine Lapointe will send an email to the former retirees asking them why they are not renewing.
Comments on this topic can be found in item 11.0.
Action completed
Item 12.0 a) Michel Bédard will follow up on the costs and eligibility for the new travel insurance offered by PIPSC.
As of April 1, 2018, multiple risk coverage will be available until age 79. Individual coverage is $50.85 and family coverage is $110.73 per year.
Action completed
Item 12.0 b) Michel Bédard offered to check with MEDOC as to whether those aged 70 and over are eligible for travel insurance.
The travel insurance is available to those over 70 years of age. Costs vary by age.
Action completed
We wondered if the difference in cost between the insurance premiums offered by PIPSC and the NAFR is due to the level of service provided by the insurance company. Michel Bédard tried to obtain information on the satisfaction of PIPSC members subscribed to the insurance and was told that the information was confidential. We were surprised by the answer since we did not ask for the names of the subscribers, but rather whether members are generally satisfied with the services offered by the insurance company (from a statistical perspective).
We also wondered why PIPSC does not advertise the new travel insurance policy more and why it does not post the information on the RMG website.
Yvon Brodeur offered to follow up on the issues raised.
Action: Yvon Brodeur
5.0 Update on the Chapter’s Finances
Madeleine Lapointe presented the statement of our Chapter’s revenues and expenses as of July 31, 2018.
Michel Bédard, seconded by Léandre Sévigny, moved to accept the statement of revenues and expenses as presented by Madeleine Lapointe. Carried unanimously.
6.0 Report by Élie Ahad, Our Regional Representative
Meetings of the Vision Committee and the RMG National Executive were held in Ottawa on April 25 and 26, 2018, respectively. The main subjects discussed were as follows:
- Vision Committee: Richard Rice tabled a proposal to abolish the Vision Committee and replace it with the Executive Committee. This proposal will be discussed at the next meeting in September.
- Terry Sing, President of the RMG Executive, will meet on May 4 in Quebec City with three members of the Executive of the Québec City Chapter to discuss some issues and the future of the Vision Committee.
- Minutes: From now on, only the minutes of the RMG’s AGM will be posted on the web. The minutes of the AGMs for the past six years (2011-2016) have never been posted. The RMG National Executive’s meeting minutes will no longer be posted on the web. To obtain a copy, contact Don Eldershaw, Secretary, RMG.
d) Bill C-27 could be included in a package presented to the unions or hidden in another form in an omnibus bill in the next federal budget.
- An election committee composed of Don Burns and Michael A. Forbes has been formed to fill four positions on the RMG National Executive. There are two positions to be filled in the National Capital Region, one in the Quebec Region and one in the Prairie Region. A notice of election along with a nomination form was sent on July 6 to retired members in those three regions. I have been the Quebec Regional Representative for the RMG for 10 years. My term ends at the end of 2018 and I do not intend to run for a further three-year term.
- Ageism: PIPSC’s Board of Directors rejected an RMG request to provide funding for the Chapter Presidents to attend the RMG’s AGM. The AV Group has amended its By-Laws to exclude retired members from the Executive.
- PIPSC will no longer list the NAFR under the quick links on the RMG website because PIPSC considers the NAFR to be a predatory competitor, in addition to having a different approach to Bill C-27.
- The Quebec Regional Council took place on May 4 and 5, 2018 in Orford. PIPSC President Debi Daviau and Regional Representative Valérie Charette made presentations on the Phoenix pay system, tax equity and outsourcing. A class action suit concerning Phoenix was filed in Quebec only for employees who are not represented by unions, i.e. casuals, students and retirees.
- The next meetings of the Vision Committee and RMG National Executive will be held in Ottawa on September 12 and 13, 2018, respectively.
Regarding item c) about not posting the minutes of the RMG National Executive, we all agreed that this is unacceptable.
Michel Bédard proposed to take action. Jean-Pierre Morency suggested that we consider possible action and that we communicate by email and make a decision at our next Québec City Chapter Executive meeting.
Élie Ahad will send us the most recent minutes of the RMG National Executive for review before taking any action.
Action: Élie Ahad
All Executive members
7.0 Activity Report – Québec City Branch
Daniel Brouillette did not attend the meeting.
He sent us an email informing us that he was meeting with the members of the Québec City Branch to prepare for their AGM to be held in late September or early October.
At the last meeting of the Québec City Branch, they reviewed the June 3 event at Maria-Goretti Park and PIPSC’s visibility.
8.0 Chapter’s Calendar of Activities
Michel Bédard prepared a calendar of activities for the year and possible actions to be implemented by members of the Québec City Chapter Executive.
We agreed that it was a working document, a good reference source for tracking activities, but that it is not cast in stone.
We approved the working document as presented and thanked Michel Bédard for the work done.
9.0 Meeting with Terry Sing on May 4, 2018
You will find in Appendix 1 the minutes of the meeting with Terry Sing on May 4, 2018.
10.0 Mistake in Posting of RMG By-Laws
On June 28, 2018, Michel Bédard contacted Julie Gagnon at the PIPSC main office to advise her that the Québec City Chapter’s By-Laws were on its website.
The correction was made on the website at the end of June.
11.0 Provincial and Québec City Chapter Membership
Élie Ahad informed us that there are 250 RMG members in Quebec.
Madeleine Lapointe said the Québec City Chapter has 59 RMG members, a net loss of 10 members since last year.
In the spring, Madeleine Lapointe sent an email to two former members who had not renewed their RMG membership asking them why they had not renewed. Following this email, both individuals paid their annual dues.
Based on a review of the new list, 5 former members who have not renewed. Michel Bédard, seconded by Léandre Sévigny, moved that an email be sent to the former members asking them why they had not renewed and, at the same time, indicating the benefits of travel insurance.
Action: Madeleine Lapointe
We noted that the interval between sending the invoice in September and the deadline for payment in December is too long and members may forget to make the payment.
Yvon Brodeur proposed to check with Lynda Martel as to why invoices are sent in September.
Action: Y. Brodeur
12.0 Planning for the Chapter AGM
We have reserved the following dates for the Chapter’s AGM: October 16, 17, 23 and 24.
We agreed to reserve the large room at Le Rascal to hold our meeting.
Action: Madeleine Lapointe
The topic of interest at the meeting will be PIPSC’s travel insurance. Jean-Pierre Morency will contact Ian Tougas, a ServicePlus travel insurance broker, to ask him to give a presentation on our travel insurance.
Action: Jean-Pierre Morency
13.0 Election of a Regional RMG Representative
See item 6.0 e).
14.0 PIPSC National Election
Jean-Pierre Morency, seconded by Michel Bédard, moved that we move to an in‑camera session to discuss nominations for the RMG National Executive, as well for the regional administrators and directors on the PIPSC Board of Directors.
Carried unanimously.
Jean-Pierre Morency, seconded by Michel Bédard, moved that the in-camera session be adjourned.
Carried unanimously.
15.0 Update on Internal Issues within PIPSC
Shirley Friesen (Vice-President) initiated legal action against Debi Daviau (President) and Steve Hindle (Vice-President) and PIPSC.
There was an out-of-court settlement. As the settlement is confidential, we cannot obtain any details on the agreement.
Shirley Friesen has resigned from the PIPSC Board of Directors.
16.0 News from the Table de concertation des personnes aînées de la Capitale-Nationale
- Table de concertation de la Capitale
Jean-Pierre Morency attended the April 25 meeting of the Table de concertation at the Montmartre centre.
The President, Judith Gagnon, recalled that the program Vieillir et vivre ensemble (aging and living together) policy includes management of the tables de concertation (issue tables). The Ministère de la Famille is in the process of completing the development of a new protocol for the issue tables. The Chair noted that it was preferable to wait for this new protocol before setting the date of the AGM.
The way in which the grant for the issue tables is being managed is raising some questions. In particular, the regional autonomy of each of the tables is being brought into question. The Chair of the Conférence des Tables brought the matter to the Minister’s attention and there were some discussions with the Ministère de la Famille, but it appears that they do not want to change the rules.
André Cantin will check with Judith Gagnon's office to see if the invoice for the Table membership fee has been sent.
Action: André Cantin
- National Association of Federal Retirees
None of the members of the Chapter’s Executive were able to attend the April 13, 2018 meeting. Follow this link to get a report on the meeting: April 2018, Vol 5, # 3 (French only)
17.0 Other and New Business
Jean-Pierre Morency informed us of the work that has been done for PIPSC’s 100th anniversary, which will begin on the date of the 2019 AGM and end on the date of the 2020 AGM. There was one meeting in July and there will be another in September. The history of the 1920s to 1970s has already been completed. We are still working on the 1970s and beyond.
Jean-Pierre Morency thanked Yvon Brodeur for his participation in our meeting.
18.0 Adjournment
Michel Bédard, seconded by Léandre Sévigny, moved that the meeting be adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
Carried unanimously
Madeleine Lapointe
Secretary-Treasurer
Québec City Chapter, Retired Members Guild
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
September 1, 2018
Jean-Pierre Morency Madeleine Lapointe
President’s Signature Secretary-Treasurer’s Signature
APPENDIX 1
Brief Report on the meeting with Terry Sing,
National President, Retired Members Guild
Location: Pacini Restaurant, 999 Bourgogne Avenue, Québec City, QC
Date: Friday, May 4, 2018
Present: Michel Bédard, André Cantin, Jean-Pierre Morency and Terry Sing
- Call to Order and Welcome
The meeting started at 10:02 a.m. Jean-Pierre Morency welcomed Terry Sing, National RMG President, to Québec City.
2. Review and Approval of the Agenda
André Cantin asked that the establishment of a future national drug insurance program be added to item 8.0. Michel Bédard also wanted to address the death benefit issue.
3- Future of the RMG and its Chapters - What do other Chapters do and where can we find the minutes of their Executive meetings?
Jean-Pierre Morency and the other members of the Executive present essentially shared the following concerns with Mr. Sing:
- How can we contribute to PIPSC?
- Why do the active members of the different groups want to exclude us from their Executives so badly?
- Why do they want us to do what they don't want to do themselves?
- PIPSC’s biggest problem is the engagement of its members: Their participation in union activities is almost non-existent. Members pay their dues and expect services in return.
- The fact that there is only one RMG Chapter in Québec City reflects the lack of interest among the RMG’s retired members.
- Like active PIPSC members, retired RMG members expect services but do not get involved. There is little, if any, feedback from retired members.
- Unlike the Québec City Chapter, the other Chapters across the country do not appear to have any links to the PIPSC Branches in their region. Isn't PIPSC’s slogan "Better Together"?
- With the exception of the Québec City and Nova Scotia Chapters, no other RMG Chapters post their Executive meeting minutes on the RMG website. Only their meeting notices and AGM minutes are posted. Is that normal? What does their Executive do the rest of the year?
- There is no interaction, synergy or joint work between the Executives of the various RMG Chapters.
- Is PIPSC’s RMG merely a social club whose biggest contribution to PIPSC is the members' dues?
- The RMG should use social media (Facebook, Twitter) more often to communicate with its members.
- PIPSC should compare its health plan to the NAFR’s MEDOC plan in a practical way.
4- Views of the National RMG President on the abolition of the Vision Committee and its re-establishment as the GMR Steering Committee
- The Québec City Chapter supports the abolition of the Vision Committee because it has, so to speak, failed to produce any results and has since become a catch-all committee for the National Executive. The Chapter also does not recommend the creation of a new RMG committee from which all regional representatives would be excluded.
The President told us that several small projects have been entrusted to the Vision Committee. He reiterated that the RMG's goal is to defend the rights of retirees and that we have a voice with Debi Daviau (PIPSC President), Steve Hindle (Vice-President) and the Advisory Committee. Jean-Pierre Morency returned to the issue, asking about the rights that have been defended to date and what concrete results the RMG has achieved?
5- The National RMG President’s viewpoint on the failure to post National RMG Executive Minutes (regular and AGM).
The President believes that this problem may be due to the frequent staff changes, lack of follow-up by the Secretariat and a heavy workload for the translation team. The Québec City Chapter asked that these deficiencies be addressed in future.
6- The National RMG President’s perspective on PIPSC’s internal problems
The President shared his understanding of the internal problems and openly discussed them with us. However, given the confidentiality of some of the information and the individuals involved, disclosure of the details would have been inappropriate and the discussion continued in camera.
7- Bill C-27. Is the RMG standing together with other organizations to maintain the defined benefit plan? Which organizations? What are the means available to do so?
The President said that the Liberals do not want to move forward with Bill C-17 but they do not want to withdraw it either. They are probably going to let it die on the order paper. He believes that the Liberals could put it back on the agenda with another cabinet minister. If the Conservatives are elected in the next federal election, the threat would be increased, if not definite. The RMG and PIPSC should stand together with the NAFR, CLC and other organizations to maintain the defined benefit plan. However, he admitted that the means of action remain very limited. Jean-Pierre admitted to doubting that the retired members would become engaged if Bill C-27 resurfaced, because they were not more fully involved when they were regular working members.
8- Other Business
André Cantin discussed the possible establishment of a national pharmacare program by the federal government (which would be the counterpart to Quebec's drug insurance program) and questioned its impact on our public service health care plan. The RMG President has little information on any such plan but will be on the lookout for it. Michel Bédard also mentioned that the death benefit is limited to $10,000, which for several years retirees 74 or older have not had to contribute to. Vice-President Shannon Bittman approached the National Joint Council in 2016 to try to get the amount increased to $20,000, but we don’t know if anything has been happening on this front in the past year.
9- Adjournment
The meeting ended at approximately 1:15 p.m. after dinner, which was courtesy of the National President.
Michel Bédard
Member of the Executive Committee
Québec City Chapter, Retired Members Guild
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
June 4, 2018