Minutes
Executive Committee meeting – October 23, 2025
NR Ville de Québec SG
Third meeting of the 2025 Executive Committee
Date: October 23, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Thi Cam Bistro restaurant (750 Lebourgneuf Boulevard, Suite 105, Québec City, QC G2J 1S1)
In attendance
The following members of the Executive Committee were in attendance:
- Patrick Lacoursière, President, Department of National Defence (DND)
- Omar Kali, Vice-President, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
- Jessika Poirier, Secretary, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
- Jean-Luc Bédard, Treasurer, Department of National Defence (DND)
- Robert Durocher, Member, Department of National Defence (DND)
- Samuel Bruneau-Dubuc, Member, Department of National Defence (DND)
- Bernard Michaud, Member, Department of National Defence (DND)
- Opening Remarks
- Call to Order
All Committee members were present and quorum was reached. The meeting was officially called to order at 6 p.m.
- Review and Approval of the Agenda
Patrick Lacoursière asked to talk about the NotebookLM application in the New Business item.
Robert Durocher moved to adopt the agenda, including this addition and Bernard Michaud seconded.
- Review and Approval of the Minutes of the Last Executive Meeting
The minutes from the last meeting were projected onto the screen. The Committee reviewed the various follow-up items to ensure that they will all be addressed.
Bernard Michaud moved to approve the minutes, and Omar Kali seconded.
- Update on Events Since the Last Executive Meeting
The SG and the Québec City Branch collaborated to organize a conference on American politics, which took place on September 18, 2025. The members present enjoyed the event, but found the presentation somewhat disjointed, as there were many questions and these were asked as they arose.
On September 12 and 13, 2025, the Québec Steward Council was held, and Patrick Lacoursière attended. He thus had the opportunity to attend a training session on interpreting the collective agreement, enabling stewards to be better equipped to offer advice in the event of grievances. The PIPSC President was present and spoke about commitments regarding transparency and tightening of the union’s budget.
The NR Group’s AGM was held in Montréal on September 20, 2025, and Patrick Lacoursière attended. He noted a renewal of the Executive and good cohesion, as well as a desire for tighter control of spending.
- Budget Presentation
Jean-Luc Bédard provided an update on the SG’s budget. He specified that he is awaiting the receipt of cheques for reimbursement of the following activities:
- $500 from the NR Group for the happy hour on May 22, 2025, at the Ciboire
- $363.30 from Better Together for the Quiz Room activity on May 22, 2025
- Preparation for the AGM
General
The AGM is scheduled for November 2025. The date was supposed to be November 13, 2025, but several members of the Executive Committee are no longer available that day. The committee therefore opted for the date of November 26, 2025. The location would be Pacini Lebourgneuf, since you can reserve a room there with a screen, and it is estimated that about twenty people will be present.
The Committee reiterated the topics it wished to address, including the presence of a guest from the NR SG bargaining team (likely Philippe Ouimet) to answer members’ questions, and the presentation of the survey on the SG’s priorities.
Elections
Elections must also be held for members of the Executive Committee. Patrick Lacoursière agreed with Francis Bégin of the Québec Branch that Francis will be the returning officer. The Committee has decided to vary the length of the terms of office for the various positions this year. In fact, terms of office are usually two years, but according to the SG’s By-Laws, elections must be held alternately: only half of the positions are elected each year to ensure the continuity of the Committee. Due to the pandemic, this staggered schedule was abandoned, and all positions were elected at the same time. To restore the regular cycle, half of the positions will exceptionally have a one-year term this year, so that elections will once again be staggered starting next year. The Committee decided on the following terms of office, taking into account the need for stability in the Executive Committee:
- President: 2 years
- Vice-President: 1 year
- Secretary: 1 year
- Treasurer: 2 years
- Seven regular executive member positions (officers): approximately half for one year and the other half for two years
These terms were adopted unanimously.
Amendments to the By-Laws and Regulations of the NR Ville de Québec SG
As agreed at the previous Executive Committee meeting, the Committee intends to introduce a motion at its AGM to amend its By-Laws and Regulations regarding retired members’ participation in the SG.
Based on a draft by Jessika Poirier, the Committee agreed on the exact wording of the amendment to be proposed at the AGM:
- Amendment to section 4.1 Rights of Members to add, “However, the positions of President and Vice-President are reserved for non-retired members.”
- If amended, the section will read as follows: “All members shall be eligible to hold office, nominate members for positions on the Sub-Group Executive, propose amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Sub-Group, and vote in Sub-Group affairs. However, the positions of President and Vice-President are reserved for non-retired members.”
- Amendment to section 6.2 Sub-Group Executive, Composition of the By-Laws to add, “The Executive shall not include more than two (2) retired members.”
- If amended, the section will read as follows: “The Sub-Group Executive shall be elected by and from the Sub-Group members. The Sub-Group Executive shall be composed of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and Members-at-Large up to the maximum permitted by Institute By-Laws. The Executive shall not include more than two (2) retired members.”
Jessika Poirier will incorporate the proposed motion and the open position for the election into the notice of meeting that will be sent to members.
- Movie Morning Preparation
The NR Ville de Québec SG is organizing a family movie morning. Jean-Luc Bédard shared his intentions, and the Committee defined the parameters of the event. It will take place on December 13, 2025, at Cinéma Le Clap in Loretteville. The selected film is Zootopia 2. The ticket could include the movie and a mini combo, plus coupons for additional drink or snack purchases worth about $5.
Jean-Luc Bédard will continue working to organize this event.
- New Business
These miscellaneous items were discussed at different points throughout the evening:
- Patrick Lacoursière will send the results of the SG priority survey to the NR Group’s bargaining coordinator, Kimberley Hradecky.
- Patrick Lacoursière presented the benefits of using the NotebookLM application to access all the data accumulated in the SG’s files.
10. Roundtable
Jean-Luc Bédard would like some ideas for activities for 2026. After a discussion within the Committee, the idea of a winter sports activity (e.g., fat biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating) at the Sentiers du Moulin in Lac-Beauport appealed to the members of the Executive. Participating members could choose an activity, followed by a gathering at the Buvette du Moulin restaurant. Since we would probably be aiming for a family activity, it could take place on a Saturday afternoon in February 2026, or in March 2026. Robert Durocher is involved in organizing the Sentiers du Moulin and will be responsible for planning this event.
11. Adjournment
Patrick Lacoursière moved to adjourn the meeting and Jessika Poirier seconded. The third meeting of the Executive Committee of the NR Ville de Québec SG was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.