The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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BC/Yukon Region – Regional Executive Meeting

Thursday, October 19, 2023, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, Friday, October 20, 2023, 9:00am – 12:00pm

Delta Ocean Pointe Resort, 100 Harbour Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 0G1

Meeting ID:

 

 Meeting Minutes

 

Regional Executive Meeting – October 19-20, 2023

  1. Approval of Agenda – m/s/c
  2. Approval of Minutes Sept 15, 2023 – item 6. Included names of volunteers for taking donations for Rainbow Kitchen and Legacy Fund at Steward Council. m/s/c
  3. Business Arising from Minutes – (All)
    1. AGM chair covers – (D. Corda) 40 white chair covers will be ordered.
    2. Fraser Valley Branch update – (Terri) in progress.
    3. BC/Yukon Region shirts – AI: Davy will look at shopping and prices for new shirts.
    4. Gift for former RX member – limited to $250. AI: Katrina will shop for suitable gift card. Update: Katrina purchased an Amazon gift card.
    5. Funding for Vancouver CRA Branch winter social – limited to $500. AI: Lauren asked Pete for funding for the CRA Branch event and will contact Branch president Mohan Grewal re: available funding.

 

  1. Regional Director Report - (M. Cranny) Report provided by Morgan:

“It has been a relatively quiet few weeks since our last meeting. Here are my activities and a few things of note.

I attended the Okanagan Branch Sep 20th, in Penticton. There was a concern that the new health care plan is leaving some people behind. One issue is that the new PSHCP was pitched to members by PIPSC and there are issues with name brands not being covered as promised, issues contacting Canada Life (long waits, no resolution). People need to fight for coverage they previously had.  The President and board are aware of these issues with Canada Life and very little recourse as it is TBS that negotiates the PSHCP. When sharing information we are regrettably in the position of the employer and so we delivered information in good faith and it is coming back to bite us. People need to continue to advocate for themselves but language in the plan does support people who were already on certain medications to continue. Attended Regional Directors and Board of Directors meetings in Wendake, QC (reservation in Quebec City). PIPSC rebranding is on hold but website development continues (it is a long process). The new Executive Director will start in November. New amount of $50/person/event cannot be combined. Better Together is being split into 2 funds, one member-led, one pipsc-led. Each fund will have a budget of $100k and not to be used for AGMS. Can apply for up to $2,500 without requiring more scrutiny. We participated in a couple of Truth and Reconciliation Day events which were quite interesting. The hotel we stayed at is Indigenous owned and has a museum attached. They also feature indigenous inspired dishes at the restaurant. There was a special BOD meeting last week to go through the budget which is now ready for presentation at the AGM. Our resolution will be heard at the AGM as well.” Accept and approve Morgan’s oral report. m/s/c

 

  1. Regional Office Report – (K. Hawkins) Report provided by K. Hawkins:

“Our staff are part of two different unions. Local 3011 is the Ottawa staff. Local 907 is the Regional Staff. I am excluded. Both unions are in bargaining right now with PIPSC as an employer. Local 3011 has a strike vote mandate. If Local 907 follows suit, we expect the same approach. Contingency planning underway but we are hopeful mediation is successful.

 

Staffing wise, John E. is on unexpected leave, anticipate return on Nov 8/9. Dulce is working part time. Still handling matters she has, not taking new cases. Extending Saba, working out well. Hoping for a future permanent spot for her in the west. Harinder, still wrapping up one file with us, works very part time on contract. Everyone else is working as usual and helping out colleagues who are away. Team is cohesive. OHS training is being revamped especially for us and our December session. Still significant issues at FNHA. Working closely with Lacey and joining their exec meeting on Friday. This will be an ongoing matter that requires my attention.” Accept and approve Kris’ oral report. m/s/c

 

  1. Financial Report – Treasurer - (P. MacDougall)
    1. Financial update – No change as there were no expenditures to date. Accept and approve Pete’s financial report. m/s/c

 

  1. Regional Training Committee Report – (P. MacDougall)
    1. Upcoming training in BC/Yukon Region – peer to peer training.
    2. National training initiatives

Accept and approve Pete’s oral report. m/s/c

 

  1. Awards Committee –
    1. Executive of the Year – postponed to Jan/Feb 2024.
    2. Steward of the Year – Morgan to present at Steward Council.

AI: Dean to discuss with Alex to keep the nomination forms live all year round and add link to Regional’s page on PIPSC website.

Accept and approve Dean’s oral report. m/s/c

 

  1. YPN Initiative – (D. Chiu) Report provided by D. Chiu:

“The Youth Professional Committee held their second in-person meeting prior to the regional executive meeting in Victoria on October 19, 2023. Regional Director Morgan Cranny joined the meeting to impart his wisdom upon the young’uns. The meeting focused on finalizing the activities in Victoria and reviewing the ongoing work of developing the committee Terms of Reference.

 

The YPC planned to have two activities to engage young professional members during the steward council. On Wednesday evening, there will be a ghost walk followed by a short snack at a local eatery. On Saturday, there will be a family-oriented event at the local pumpkin patch. Registration indicates that there will be a great turnout! 22 and 23 registrations respectively.

 

Next steps, the committee would like to get confirmation on the remaining balance as the committee does not have direct access to the funds. Once confirmed, the committee is targeting to plan their next meeting in February to look at planning activities at Regional Council.

Attendance - 9/11”

Accept and approve Davy’s oral report. m/s/c

 

  1. National initiatives – (M. Cranny)
    1. Legacy Fund & challenge cup

 

  1. New Business
    1. Steward Council update (M. Cranny)
      • Land acknowledgement/equity statement - Morgan
      • Legacy cup/charity prizes – AI: Dean will look into getting an email address connected with Square.
      • Swag distribution – by PIPSC office staff
    2. Outreach events
      • Mid Island – Morgan will contact Carl Cahoon re: setting up outreach event.
    3. 2024 Meeting venues
      • Feb 2024 up island. Date/venue TBA
      • April 9, 2024 RX Meeting in Hilton Metrotown in Burnaby
      • June 6, 2024 RX Meeting June 7-8, 2024 Regional Council in Coast Capri in Kelowna
      • Oct 17, 2024 RX Meeting Oct 18-19, 2024 Steward Council in JW Marriott in Vancouver
      • Dec 5, 2024 RX Meeting in Vancouver
    4. 2025 Meeting venues

AI: Morgan will contact Alex for dates and venues for 2025. Potential venues discussed included Metro Vancouver, Harrison Hot Springs, Whitehorse, Parksville, Abbotsford.

 

  1. Role of Secretary – (D. Corda) Issue of YPN, Training and Awards sub-Committee meeting minutes not posted and need accountability for minutes.  AI: Dean will contact ByLaw & Policies to see if a policy exists for requirements for accountability for meeting minutes.

 

  1. Promo Items – (D. Corda) suggest for getting new t-shirts to update the TGIF t-shirts. AI: Dean will contact Communications to work on graphics and design for t-shirts.

 

  1. RX Members Web Presence – (D. Corda) Suggested to post Committee events to promote outreach for the union. AI: Davy to inquire about setting up YPN web presence on PIPSC website.

 

  1. Hospitality suite – (M. Cranny) AI: Morgan will look into booking a room for hospitality at PIPSC AGM.

 

  1. Next Meeting(s)
    1. Thursday, December 7, 2023, 9:00am – 5:00pm – Delta Suites Vancouver
    2. Jan/Feb? Morgan waiting response from Carl Cahoon.

 

  1. Roundtable

Peter – added two more names to signing authority on the bank account

Lauren – be aware of spoofed PIPSC emails

Katrina – PIPSC Victoria Branch is having an AGM next week.

Morgan – received response from PIPSC AGM and confirmed RX does not have a hospitality suite.

Davy – developing documentation on the shared drive

Terri – planning Fraser Valley AGM

 

  1. Adjournment 11:20 am - To adjourn. m/s/c

 

Published on 7 December 2023