Ontario and Nunavut Region Executive

April 16, 2026 — Muskoka, Ontario

Land Acknowledgement – J. Purdie
Opening Remarks – J. Purdie
Approval of Agenda
Consensus on Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Consensus on prior Minutes
Matters Arising / Tracking Report – J. Purdie
Tracking Action items updated.
Treasurer’s Report – T. Yantsis
Annual allotment received.
Signing Authority – additional signing authority needed. B. Brawley and M. Horn to be updated with Finance as signing authority.
Committee Reports

a) Board of Directors (“BOD”) Committees

i. By-Laws and Policies Committee (“BLPC”) – R. Samra

Reviewed report received and review.

ii. Finance Committee – T. Yantsis

2 meetings have taken place so far, Feb and March. Next meeting in May.
Finance Committee is responsible for auditing financial documents on a rotating basis.
T. MacDonald brought up some issues that are happening in Provincial Groups that differ from Federal Groups.

iii. Human Rights and Diversity Committee (“HRDC”) – P. Breadner

Patrick’s term position ended. Muhammad Omar Haroon was added as the new representative.
Report received and reviewed.

iv. Information Technology Services and Projects Committee (“ITSP”) – D. Scarling

This committee has been suspended indefinitely.

v. Science Advisory Committee (“SAC”) – F. Scott

Report has not been received.

vi. Training, Education and Mentoring (“TEAM”) Committee – B. Brawley

Report provided and reviewed.
May 8th and 9th – National training on Domestic Violence. 2 English, 1 French session.

vii. Elections Committee – T. Azab

Report was not received.

viii. Elections Appeals Committee – R. Monize

Report received and reviewed.

b) Ontario and Nunavut Region Executive (“ORE”) Committees/Liaisons

i. Training Committee – B. Brawley

Bridget provided record of training and topics of the previous training.
Looking to start tracking application numbers and interest to determine trends.
Positive feedback received from training at Hyatt – Basic Steward training held Feb 6–8, 2026.
Delta Kitchener – Basic Steward Training – Oct 22–24, 2026.
Core Executive Training – Chelsea – March 27–28, 2026 – B. Brawley facilitated with an ERO. Positive feedback received.
Advanced Steward Training – May 27–30, Kingston
Advanced Grievance Handling/Maximizing Your Collective Agreement
Duty to Accommodate and Advanced Investigative Techniques
Empowering Stewards/Dismantling Oppression
Upcoming Training
Basic Steward Training
Feb. 4–6, 2027 – Pantages, Toronto
Fall 2027 – Location: TBD
Labour School (Advanced Training)
Hamilton Sheraton – Nov 18–21 – Topics TBD
Spring 2028 – Location(s): TBD – Topic(s): TBD
Stand-a-Lone Training
March 5–6, 2027 – Topic: TBD – Location: Marriott on the Falls, Niagara Falls
Lunch and Learn information now available on Website Steward portal.
Budget 2027–2028 currently being developed. Can the training gap be identified to better focus training. Training needs exist in Ontario, and training is trying to meet the needs.
Training idea brought forward: How to support a member that has been suspended or terminated.
Next meeting of the Training Committee: Friday, July 17th, 1pm

ii. By-law & Policy – S. Labbé

Up to date

iii. Visibility and Mobilization Events (“VME”) – S. Labbé

Labour Day planning will start shortly. There was an email about outstanding payment due for 2024 participation that was forwarded to Heather. Appears to have been paid. Generally direct billing was taking place.
Coordination between HRDC and VME – It is up to the Region to lead regional mobilization.
What can the Mobilization Team support with structure of mobilization events to support groups in having their events and engagement.
S. Labbé has updated the VME folder to make sure that previous items are all there for the next person to take over the role. Labour Day information is included.
Moving towards providing structure and information for groups planning events locally for visibility and mobilization.

iv. Ontario Provincial Group – T. MacDonald

Report submitted to ONRC.
Bargaining started for several Provincial groups. Some success with bargaining already seen.
New VPs have been onboarded.
Almost 100% participation at AC.
Submitted comments at SEG about the issues with Concur, and Union Family Life Balance policy for Provincial Groups. Is there a need for a separate Provincial Groups policy.

v. Branch Liaison – M. Horn

Next Branch President meeting tomorrow morning.
Will be addressing steward engagement, member engagement.
Big issues are WFA, RTO, ERI with the TB and separate agency Branches.

vi. Young Professionals

R. Samra also chairs National YP network.

vii. Legacy Foundation – J. Purdie

J. Purdie is no longer on the Legacy Foundation Committee going forward, but is still the Ontario Region Champion for updates to ORNE.
Raffle will be run for ONRC participants.
More scholarships coming out.

viii. Social Media and Newsletter – F. Akol

Newsletter will be ready for tomorrow, looking to have one hard copy at each table if we can get them printed out. Otherwise, will be available electronically for future distribution.
Social Media – plan should be made for the year, so we can proactively get information out. Messaging should be approved internally.
Reviewed who currently have admin access to the social media accounts. F. Akol to be added to social media accounts.

Ontario Region Council (“ORC”) – J. Purdie and T. Zaharopoulos
Friday Night hospitality suite will be available for attendees.
Guest speaker arrangements are confirmed for Saturday morning.
No resolutions are submitted; there is 1 hour put in the agenda for business.
Election process
10am nominations
5 positions available for 2-year term, 6th position will be for 1-year term.
Nominations will be taken from the floor. Nominations called 3 times.
Speeches – candidates will have 2 min each.
Election bios can be placed on tables.
After speeches, elections committee (T. Macdonald, F. Akol, M. Horn) will pass out paper ballots.
Vote for a maximum of 6 candidates.
Results are announced at closing.
Motion to go into closed session – F. Akol, seconded by T. Yantsis.
Returned from closed session.
Ontario Steward Council (“OSC”) – B. Brawley a) Motion brought by Bridget to have Denise Hampton as speaker to ONSC 2026, with a speaker’s fee of $1,500 plus travel and accommodations. Seconded by S. Labbé. Motion carried. b) Possible locations for ONSC 2027 – B. Brawley will reach out to Heather for quotes
Toronto (Hotel X, Sheraton, Delta) – May need to look at October due to TIFF in downtown Toronto
Nottawasaga
Niagara Falls c) Treasurer’s Training – B. Brawley will consult with staff to ensure there are no conflicts.
Director’s Report – J. Purdie
Be careful when giving information when Branches come to ask for information regarding by-law and policy, as a regional executive member.
We recently got a new staff member: Political Affairs Director, Brent Farington, coming from CLC.
Ongoing staffing concerns for the region.
Bridget and John are working hard on training budgets.
Ontario HRDC representative has been updated to Mohammad Omar Haroon.
Motion to increase allowance to the regions put forward.
Issues in Toronto Centre with elections – election will need to be redone.
Planning Document – J. Purdie
Please update when you have any changes.
New Business a) Review of process of steward approval RE: conflict.
When Stewards apply/renew it asks if you are in a conflict with your employer. What is the reason for this question, should it feed into any concerns that we have.
The region and the group are allowed to make a recommendation.
Action item for John to follow up with “conflict” question and why it was put on the application.
Round Table
S. Labbé will be missed on the ONRE, her efforts were appreciated. She brought a lot of value to the Committee.
Felix has been added as Facebook administrator, John and Bridget are currently on.
Whatsapp group will be transferred over shortly, new ONRE members can be added after election.