Ontario and Nunavut Region Executive - Minutes, July 28, 2025
Delta Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay, ON
Present: J. Purdie, T. Yantsis, B. Brawley, T. MacDonald, S. Labbé, H. Timla, F. Akol, M. Horn, T. Zaharopoulos
Regrets: D. Kamaldin, R. Kaura
Meeting called to order
- Land Acknowledgement – J. Purdie
Land acknowledgement was conducted by PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Director, J. Purdie.
- Opening Remarks – J. Purdie
J. Purdie reminded Ontario and Nunavut Region Executive (“ORE”) to notify him and PIPSC Office Administrator, H. Kohli, if they plan to be absent from meetings.
- Approval of Agenda
Approved – Consensus
- Approval of Minutes
June 6, 2025 ORE meeting minutes were approved by consensus.
June 7, 2025 ORE meeting minutes were approved by consensus.
- Matters Arising / Tracking Report – J. Purdie
- A request to update the video pertaining to Treasurer’s training on Concur was made. The updating of the video is still in progress.
- Review of PIPSC Organizational Structure is ongoing. The hiring process for the Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) position is ongoing.
- Confirmation was received that proactive reviews of constituent bodies are ongoing.
- Contact information for the representative for the PIPSC Finance Committee will be provided to Branch Presidents.
- Citation Certificate Award was requested for a Branch Executive.
- Reports are being provided to ORE by the representatives for the PIPSC Science Advisory Committee (“SAC”) and Elections Committee.
- The topics of differences in Federal and Provincial Health and Safety Legislation, provision of details of courses that Stewards have completed to Branch Presidents, and the approval of Branch President being a requirement for a Steward to participate in training will be discussed during the PIPSC Training, Education and Mentoring (“TEAM”) Committee meeting in September 2025.
- Feedback pertaining to the 2024 Ontario Steward Council (“OSC”) will be provided to ORE during the September 11, 2025, ORE meeting.
- Identifying a Health and Safety Contact within PIPSC is still ongoing.
- A prize was secured for the 2025 OSC.
- Proposal was made to PIPSC Board of Directors (“BOD”) to conduct a meeting in Ontario to coincide with the 2026 OSC.
- Treasurer’s Report – T. Yantsis
Treasurer’s Report was provided by T. Yantsis. PIPSC branded items for attendees at the 2025 OSC and PIPSC National Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) are budgeted.
- Committee Reports
- BOD COMMITTEES
- By-Laws and Policies Committee (“BLPC”) – S. Labbé
ORE reviewed a report provided by BLPC member, S. Labbé.
Resolutions from the 2025 Ontario Region Council (“ORC”) were submitted to the Resolutions Sub-Committee.
A tracking document is being used to prioritize the review of by-laws and policies.
Branch Presidents will be proactively informed of recent changes pertaining to Constituent Body allocations that were approved by PIPSC BOD.
Importance of tracking attendance and maintaining appropriate documentation for joint events and meetings between 2 or more Branches or Groups was discussed.
- Finance Committee – Z. Dharsee
A report was provided by PIPSC Finance Committee member, Z. Dharsee.
- Human Rights and Diversity Committee (“HRDC”) – H. Timla
A report submitted by H. Timla., Representative for the PIPSC HRDC, was reviewed.
- Information Technology Services and Projects Committee (“ITSP”) – D. Scarling
No ITSP meeting since last ORE meeting, hence no report was prepared.
- Science Advisory Committee (“SAC”) – F. Scott
Report was submitted by SAC member, F. Scott.
- Training, Education and Mentoring (“TEAM”) Committee – B. Brawley
A report was submitted by TEAM Committee member, B. Brawley.
TEAM is working on a Steward mentoring program.
- Elections Committee – T. Azab
A report was submitted by Elections Committee member, T. Azab.
- Elections Appeals Committee – S. Asif
A report was submitted by Elections Appeals Committee member, S. Asif.
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- ORE COMMITTEES / LIAISONS
- Training Committee – B. Brawley
A report was submitted by Training Committee member, B. Brawley.
40 Ontario Region Stewards received Basic Steward Training in Ottawa during May 2025. PIPSC branded portfolios were provided to Ontario Region trainees.
- By-Law & Policy – S. Labbé
The motion to provide portfolios to trainees at upcoming Basic Steward Training sessions that was passed during the June 7, 2025, ORE meeting was discussed.
- Visibility and Mobilization Events (“VME”) – S. Labbé
Toronto Pride Parade:
PIPSC Ontario Region members and HRDC members watched the Toronto Pride Parade on June 29, 2025. 12 PIPSC members and staff watched the parade. Snack bags and PIPSC Pride themed items (ex. flags, buttons, fans, etc.,) and t-shirts were provided to Ontario Region members. All costs were within budget. Majority of feedback received was positive and members expressed appreciation for organizing the viewing of the parade. Constructive feedback was to find a less crowded area to spectate.
Labour Day Parade:
Poster for members to register for Labour Day parade is posted on PIPSC website.
Budget was discussed. Better Together request for $X,XXX was submitted.
ORE approved an updated version of the Labour Day t-shirt. A request to the supplier of the Labour Day t-shirts will be made to update the design of the shirts.
Roles were assigned to ORE members for the Labour Day parade including truck rental, shipment of shirts, registration of members and lunch for members.
ORE reviewed a report pertaining to Steward representation that was submitted by Ontario Provincial Group Liaison, T. MacDonald.
Action Item: T. MacDonald to provide TEAM Committee member, B. Brawley, a written recommendation on updating Basic Steward Training with information pertaining to Steward representation.
- Branch Liaison – M. Horn
A virtual meeting was held with Branch Presidents on July 23, 2025. PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Director and Branch Presidents from Nunavut also attended the virtual meeting.
Branch Presidents expressed issues that they are experiencing with communicating with members due to inability to obtain members’ email address.
PIPSC RAND engagement strategy was discussed.
Delegate selection for the 2025 PIPSC AGM was discussed.
Upcoming closure of a work office in North York that many Toronto North Branch members physically report to was discussed.
The procedure for a Branch to request the list of retired members was discussed.
Confirmed all members in Nunavut belong to Iqaluit Branch.
- Young Professionals – R. Kaura
No update.
- Legacy Foundation – J. Purdie
Reminder email for Legacy Foundation Scholarships was sent on July 28, 2025.
- Social Media and Newsletter – F. Akol
Strategy is being developed for the entire year with the goal of more timely communication. Update to the media strategy is expected to be provided during the November 22, 2025, ORE meeting.
The preparation of a newsletter and use of social media platforms to connect with members was discussed. Selection of social media platforms that will be used to connect with members will involve consideration of reaching as many demographics as possible while ensuring professional and respectful discourse.
- Ontario Region Council (“ORC”) – J. Purdie and T. Zaharopoulos
Group Presidents have been contacted about their attendance at the 2026 ORC. A potential Parliamentarian was identified. If PIPSC President is unable to attend, a VP may be sent as a delegate instead.
The Holiday Inn in Kingston, ON is the location for 2027 ORC.
- Ontario Steward Council (“OSC”) – B. Brawley and R. Kaura
- 2025 OSC Update:
Update provided by OSC Chair, B. Brawley. Draft of Agenda of the 2025 OSC was reviewed. CVENT is being updated. PIPSC staff helped identify a potential guest speaker named Tom Clairmont to conduct a presentation pertaining to mediation.
Motion – Approve a budget of up to $X,XXX to obtain Tom Clairmont as a guest speaker for the 2025 OSC.
Proposed by: B. Brawley
Seconded by: M. Horn
Motion Passed
Tentative Agenda for the 2025 OSC was approved by Consensus
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- PIPSC branded item for Steward Council – T. Yantsis
Several options of items to be provided to attendees at the 2025 OSC were reviewed.
Motion: Purchase trunk organizers to be provided to attendees at the 2025, OSC.
Proposed by: B. Brawley
Seconded by: S. Labbé
Discussion of Motion: Item should ensure visibility of PIPSC logo.
Motion passed
- Director’s Report – J. Purdie
Hiring process is ongoing for several positions at PIPSC including Employment Relations Officers (“ERO”), Director of Labour Relations and COO.
- Planning Document – J. Purdie
Planning Document was discussed. ORE members to continue updating Planning Document for their respective portfolios.
- New Business
- Policy on Stewards – T. MacDonald
Discussion of potentially electing a Chief Steward in Ontario.
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- PIPSC AGM Delegates – J. Purdie
Allocation of delegate seats for the 2025 PIPSC AGM was discussed.
Motion: Each Branch is allocated 2 delegate seats. Any remaining delegate seats will first be allocated to a maximum of 2 members who are members of the Ontario Region Youth Committee. Any remaining delegate seats will be allocated to Branches based on their membership size.
Proposed by: T. Yantsis.
Seconded by: B. Brawley
Motion Passed
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- Succession Planning – H. Timla
H. Timla will be resigning from ORE effective Nov 1, 2025. M. Horn will assume Secretary role until the 2026 ORC.
Motion: Appoint a member of the Ontario Region Youth Committee to fill vacant ORE position.
Proposed by: T. Yantsis
Seconded by: T. Zaharopoulos
Motion Defeated.
Moved: Start in camera session
Moved: End in camera session
Discussion of ORE member status. ORE confirmed that a member in good standing can maintain their status on the ORE when outside of the country.
- Round Table
T. MacDonald: Thanked ORE for the discussion on Chief Steward.
T. Zaharopoulos: None.
F. Akol: None.
B. Brawley: None.
M. Horn: None.
S. Labbé: None.
H. Timla: H. Timla will be attending September ORE meeting virtually and will not attend the 2025 OSC.
T. Yantsis: Thanked H. Timla for his services while on ORE.
J. Purdie: Reminded ORE of Meet and Greet in Thunder Bay taking place after the meeting.
Meeting Adjourned.