The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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78th QRC - The Professional Recognition and Qualifications Committee (PRQC) Report

The Professional Recognition and Qualifications Committee (PRQC)

Report presented to the May 2019 Quebec Regional Council

Background

In 1999, concerns raised by accredited and non-accredited professional members of the Institute led to the creation of an Ad Hoc Working Group that, for two years, examined the scope of issues related to certification, the scaling back of qualification standards (by the Employer) and the dissociation of national and provincial associations at the federal government level. The Working Group succeeded the PRQC, a standing committee created by the Board of Directors (BOD) upon the request of the delegates at the 2002 AGM, in order to continue addressing ongoing issues and lay the foundation for supporting the interests of all PIPSC professional members, including nurses, accountants, scientists, engineers, physicians, computer scientists, etc. This Committee is chaired by a PIPSC member and normally meets four times a year.

Mandate

The mandate of the Committee is to facilitate the achievement of the Institute objectives as set out in Article 2.2 of its By-Laws:

“The Institute shall seek to reinforce the professional effectiveness of its members and to improve the application of professional standards and the availability of appropriate opportunities for professional development.”

Goals 

The objectives of the PRQC are to identify issues, priorities and actions related to professionalism; develop strategies to protect and improve the recognition of the professional status and credentials of Institute members; promote a workplace in which professionalism is valued; and increase the awareness and commitment of members, employers, associations and the public with regard to professional recognition and credentials in the public service.

Committee members

The 2018 PRQC was composed of the following members:

  • Thomas Landry, Chair
  • Marielle Nadon, Staff Resource
  • Michael Urminsky, Staff Resource
  • Steve Hindel, PIPSC Part-Time Vice-President
  • Gerry Saunders, SH, Atlantic Region  
  • Johanne Potvin, AFS, Quebec Region  
  • Pierre Touchette, CS, National Capital Region
  • Stewart Wong, AFS, Prairies Region
  • Linda Joly, AFS, Ontario Region
  • John Eng, NR, National Capital Region

Strategic Objectives 2018

Collaborating with Groups

The Committee continues to work with bargaining and suggested that professional integrity be considered as a common issue for the next round of bargaining. The goal is to improve the language in all collective agreements in order to promote the professionalism of all our members. During the year we met with bargaining teams, shared with them our strategic plan and helped with member surveys. We also held discussions on de-professionalization of positions by our Employers and on the difficulties in some Groups resulting from the implementation of Workspace 2.0. We also attended a presentation on the “Professional Canada” initiative and provided comments.

One of us regularly attends the planning meetings for PIPSC 100th anniversary and ensures collaboration between our professional members and the 100th Anniversary Planning Committee.

Building relationships with professional associations

The Committee reached out to professional associations to promote professionalism, work together to resolve mutual issues and better protect the public interest, identify mutually beneficial projects, and present a united front at the federal and provincial levels.

In 2018, I and another member of our Committee, as PIPSC representatives, attended the “CPAs in the Public Sector” conference presented by CPA Canada. Our mission was to build relationships with representatives of CPA Canada and other professionals and associations working in the public sector.

 We engaged professional associations into sending a representative to our annual AGM, Regional Councils or Steward Councils to participate in a collaborative meeting or training. We are still in the early stages of planning; any suggestions or recommendations in this regard will be welcome.

We continue to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of creating new associations (i.e. CS). We plan to contact and ask our Groups and Stewards about their needs and challenges as professionals in the Public Service of Canada.

National Public Service Week

The Committee met with the PIPSC Communications Section to discuss potential themes for the upcoming National Public Service Week. It was suggested it should carry key messages about Phoenix and also about the Canadian professional public servants being ranked first in the world.    

A new Committee is in place for 2019 and will meet throughout the year to find ways to promote you as professional public servants.

Respectfully,

Johanne Potvin
Quebec Regional Representative
PIPSC PRQC