The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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Atlantic Regional Executive Meeting Minutes




The Delta, Fredericton, NB – May 22, 2025


CHAIRPERSON:
Mark Bellefleur

 

EXECUTIVE:
Christine LeDrew, Secretary
Lori Rowe
Carolyn Hynes
Tony Chubbs
Tamara Critch
Mike Pauley
Kimberley Keats
Paul Hubley
Scott McConaghy
Gerald Hill

 

REGRETS:
N/A

 

  1. Welcome and Directors’ Opening Remarks

Mark called the meeting to order at 9:04am. Mark welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for their hard work. Mark offered a land acknowledgement. 

 

  1. Ice Breaker

Gerald proceeded with a light fun Ice Breaker. Kim volunteered to do the Ice Breaker for the August meeting. 

 

3.   Agenda

Mark asked for any additions to the agenda. There being no changes. 

 

Motion # 1 Kim Keats moved, and Scott McConaghy seconded that the agenda be approved as presented.  CARRIED.

 

  1. Approval of Regional Executive Minutes

Mark asked if there were any additions to the March 29th minutes. There were no changes required. 

 

Motion # 2 Tony Chubbs moved; Tamara Critch seconded that the minutes be approved as presented. CARRIED.

 

  1. Action Items Review

Mark reviewed the Action Items, and the document has been updated accordingly. Next virtual steward check-in is being scheduled for September. It was noted that the training policy is being revamped. Carolyn noted that she did reach out to the charity to attend the Regional Council to accept the cheque. Mark stated that the indigenous opener cancelled last minute so he will read a land acknowledgement for the council. Discussion occurred on the printing of items for meetings and Mark will continue to work on this. Executive discussed the cut off dates for registration for events and policies. 

 

  1. Calendar of Events

Mark went over the calendar of events for 2025 and 2026 noting that there are no new contracts signed since our last meeting. He also suggested in having the meetings at the PIPSC Office when located in Halifax. 

 

7.  Regional Director’s Report

Mark advised that his Director’s Report is on the drive. Some focal points are:

  • Attended Broadbent Summit April 8-11
  • Regional Directors and Board of Directors Meeting 
  • Attended various Branch AGMs

 

Tamara questioned if there were any decisions made on the resolutions that were referred to the Advisory Council and the Board of Directors. It was noted that three had been brought to the Board of Directors. The Atlantic region resolution regarding breakfast break stop will have to be brought back to the AGM through the regional council. Mark noted that the printing of calendars will occur but they have to be requested. 

 

Motion # 3 Mark Bellefleur moved; Mike Pauley seconded that the Regional Director’s Report be approved as presented. CARRIED.

 

8. Training Committee Chairperson’s Report 

Carolyn stated her written report is located on the google drive. Some main points are:

  • Training budget approved for November 2025 extra training and 2026 Training School. 
  • Currently preparing 2026/2027 budgets. 
  • Continuing to seek opportunities for member facilitators to facilitate sessions. 
  • Training School went well from April 10-12. 46 Stewards in attendance and all participants participated in the half day Workforce Adjustment session. Main issue was outside the hotels control, where other hotel guests were very disrespectful. 
  • New Steward Guide has been shared with the training committee members for feedback and suggestions. 
  • The last TEAM meeting was focused on approval of the 2025/2026 budgets and guidelines for the next budget. TEAM noted a discrepancy in the French and English lunch and learn guide as posted on the PIPSC website. This will be reviewed and updated accordingly. 
  • New online course being developed by education called “PIPSC: Our Union”,
  • Carolyn will have to request which member facilitators are available to facilitate the extra training in November. Further discussion occurred on the member facilitator program and that there is no follow-up on the member facilitators and their progress. 

 

Motion # 4 Carolyn Hynes moved; Lori Rowe seconded the approval of the training chairperson’s report. CARRIED.

 

9. Atlantic Young Professionals Committee Report

Christine provided a verbal update as there was no meeting. The committee hosted a virtual information session on April 2 that Christine and Erika facilitated the PIPSC 101 session. The committee is hosting an event tonight at The Snooty Fox. Christine noted the stand-alone meeting was scheduled for July 18-19 in Halifax, but half the members were unable to attend so it being rescheduled to July 11-12 as the contract was signed with the hotel. The committee will be hosting a family friendly event the Friday night. It was noted that a call out for the expiring positions will be sent out shortly. 

 

Motion # 5 Christine LeDrew moved; Scott McConaghy seconded that the AYPC host a family friendly member event in Halifax during their stand-alone. CARRIED.

 

Motion # 6 Christine LeDrew moved; Lori Rowe seconded that the AYPC report be approved.  CARRIED.

 

  1. Financial Reports
    1. ARE Interim Financial Update

Paul noted that there is a healthy balance for the Atlantic executive. Notebooks were purchased for training events. The cheques from 2024 PIPSC AGM have been cashed. 

 

Motion # 7 Paul Hubley moved; Lori Rowe seconded that the interim financial report be approved. CARRIED.

 

  1. Interim Budget vs Actual Report

Paul provided the actuals and the budgets. Discussion occurred on the various events. It was noted that we have to think logistics on the items being purchased as the participants gifts for size of storage. Regional executive will look at the upcoming costs to avoid late year spending. Mark suggested that Paul give us 3 or 4 swag items to decide on. Paul stated that he had a chartered accountant review the books and the report came back that our financials are accurately completed and recorded. 

 

Motion # 8 Paul Hubley moved; Gerald Hill seconded to approve the budget vs actuals as of May 11. CARRIED.

 

Action: Paul to provide list of items that we need to do for each meeting.

Action: Paul to update the budget meet and greet to be PEI. 

Action: Donna to put the budget purchases on strategic planning meeting agenda. 

 

National President Sean O’Rielly attended the meeting for a brief discussion with the regional executive. Discussion occurred on various topics such as training, budgets, AGM, WFA, resolutions from the AGM, and the executive was able to ask questions. The regional executive provided Scott with a thank you gift for his many years of service on the Atlantic Regional executive and the region. 

 

  1. Committees of the Board Reports

The regional executive reviewed the reports on the google drive that were submitted. 

  1. BLPC
  2. Elections Appeals
  3. TEAM
  4. HRDC
  5. Finance

The executive reviewed the reports provided. It was noted that the HRDC noted about executives crafting their own land acknowledgement. The executive also discussion the various caucuses at the HRDC and what is the outcome of these?

 

Action: Mark to question the cost of the HRDC Caucuses. 

 

Motion # 9 Tony Chubbs moved, and Paul Hubley seconded that the Committees of the Board reports be moved as presented.  CARRIED.


 

  1. 81st ARC Final Review
    1. Facilitators Agenda

Mark noted we should be checking people in as they come in each day. If they did not attend sessions, then there can be repercussions. This discussion will be brought forward to the branch presidents meeting. 

Friday night event: It will cost members $XXX to play with all proceeds going to the charity. There will be a deck of cards for each 4 players. Mark will provide the participants with instructions. 

Executive went through the facilitators agenda and Christine provided a copy to Donna and all executive. 

Regional executive discussed what would occur on the zoom meeting. 

 

Action: Mark to host zoom call after ARC. 

 

  1. Resolutions

Tony will move one resolution, seconded by Paul. 

Tamara will move the other resolution, seconded by Christine. 

  1. Write the resolutions workshop

Lori explained the workshop and executive discussed how to split the members up into the groups. Lori and Gerald will be presenting while the executive will help. The presentation will take 15 minutes, 15 minutes for the groups to create their resolutions and then 40 minutes to present as a mock AGM. Regional executive will have to interject if necessary while people are presenting the resolutions such as points of order, call to question, amendments, etc. Tamara will be the timer for speaking, Mark will chair, and Scott will be the parliamentarian. 

 

  1. New Business 
    1. Corner Brook Branch Update - Tony

Christine noted the event is planned for May 29th. 
 

  1. Old Orchard Inn – Training School Hotel Complaints - Carolyn

Carolyn noted that there was a lot of complaints and there is a document of the ones we received on the google drive. The bulk of the issues were not with the hotel itself. Some participants left Saturday tired to drive home. The hotel hired a security guard for Saturday night. There was vulgarity, vomit everywhere, threats, etc. Tamara noted that we did sign a contract so is there any violation on their part for not accommodating all the rooms required. It was noted the hotel did offer a credit for each room that complained. How do they know which rooms did complain as there was no phone working at the front desk Friday night. The hotel did compliment the meeting rooms and the hospitality suite. It was agreed that a formal apology from the broomball association should be made. A suggestion was made to speak with the legal department on the violation of the signed contract. Further discussion occurred and it was noted that a formal complaint should be submitted to the broomball association. 

 

Action: Carolyn to follow up with Donna about compensation and complaint.  

 

  1. Training Budget - Carolyn

Carolyn noted that she had the Halifax office to confirm that term employees expiring within 6 months will not be accepted right now to basic steward training and the national course in June. 

Action: Carolyn to confirm with Natasha there was no terms for national BST.  

 

  1. Steward Check-In Evaluations - April

It was noted that all comments seemed to be positive, and discussion occurred. Carolyn asked if the National Steward Officer will be attending all virtual check-ins. Marked noted yes, they will be, and further discussion occurred. 

 

14. Round Table

The regional executive all thanked Scott for his hard work and dedication over the years. Scott said it has been fun and interesting. 

 

Motion # 10 Mark Bellefleur moved, and Scott McConaghy seconded that the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45pm.

 

Published on 14 January 2026