The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
Log in

Ontario and Nunavut Region Executive Minutes - September 11-12, 2025

White Oaks Resort & Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Present: J. Purdie, T. Yantsis, B. Brawley, T. MacDonald, S. Labbé, M. Horn, T. Zaharopoulos, H. Timla, F. Akol and D. Kamaldin

Regrets: D. Kamaldin (Sept 11), R. Kaura

Meeting called to order

  1. Land Acknowledgement – J. Purdie

Land acknowledgement was conducted by PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Director, J. Purdie.

  1. Approval of Agenda   

Agenda was approved.

  1. Approval of Minutes

July 28, 2025 PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Executive (“ONRE”) meeting minutes were approved.

  1. Matters Arising / Tracking Report – J. Purdie
    • An updated video on how to use Concur is expected in 2026.
    • The hiring process for the Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) role is complete. The new COO is S. MacLellan and he will start October 6, 2025. PIPSC Organizational Chart will be updated after the new COO starts.

Moved: Start in camera session

Moved: End in camera session

    • Differences in Federal and Provincial Health and Safety legislation are incorporated in training courses.
    • PIPSC Finance Director liaises with insurance companies for PIPSC and can be contacted for related Health and Safety questions.  
    • List of training courses that Stewards have completed can be requested from PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Office Administrator.
    • Ontario and Nunavut Region Branch and Sub-Group Presidents can recommend a member from their respective Branch / Sub-Group to Training, Education and Mentoring (“TEAM”) Ontario and Nunavut Region Representative, B. Brawley, if said member needs to be prioritized for a specific training course.
    • Feedback for the 2024 Ontario Steward Council (“OSC”) was provided.
    • Feedback was provided regarding Steward representation to be incorporated in Basic Steward Training.
  2. Treasurer’s Report – T. Yantsis

Treasurer’s Report was provided by T. Yantsis. Balance in bank account for PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region was discussed. No financial concerns at this time.

PIPSC branded items for Ontario and Nunavut Region delegates for the PIPSC Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) will be selected in mid-November.

The 2026-2027 PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Budget was reviewed. Procedures to confirm eligibility for travel and hospitality for family members under the PIPSC Policy on Balancing Union Activity and Family Life (“UFLB”) was discussed.

Motion:  A local member attending Regional or Steward Council on Saturday night who requests accommodation for Saturday night under the PIPSC Policy on Balancing Union Activity and Family Life (“UFLB”) must have their family member sign in on Saturday.

Proposed by: S. Labbé

Seconded by: M. Horn

Motion Passed

The estimated amount for guest speakers for the 2026 OSC was incorporated in the 2026-2027 PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Budget. 

Committee Reports

    1. BOARD OF DIRECTOR (“BOD”) COMMITTEES
  2. By-Laws and Policies Committee (“BLPC”) – S. Labbé

ONRE reviewed a report provided by BLPC member, S. Labbé.

  1. Finance Committee – Z. Dharsee

A report was provided by PIPSC Finance Committee member, Z. Dharsee.

  1. Human Rights and Diversity Committee (“HRDC”) – H. Timla

A report submitted by H. Timla., Representative for the PIPSC HRDC, was reviewed.

Action Item: H. Timla to send ONRE the HRDC Planning Document for 2025. 

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

No ITSP meeting since the last ONRE meeting, hence no report was prepared.

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

No update.

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

TEAM meeting was conducted on Sept 6-7, 2025.  

There is a new member facilitator from Nunavut.

Uniformity and consistency of training schedules across regions was discussed. Currently, training schedules are established by each Region.

The assistance of member facilitators for Employment Relations Officers (“ERO”) during training and lunch and learn sessions was discussed.

  1. Elections Committee – T. Azab

A report was submitted by Elections Committee member, T. Azab.

  1. Elections Appeals Committee – S. Asif

A report was submitted by Elections Appeals Committee member, S. Asif.

    1. ONRE COMMITTEES / LIAISONS
  2. Training Committee – B. Brawley

The 2026-2027 Training Budget for Ontario and Nunavut Region was reviewed.

Motion: Approve 2026-2027 Training Budget for Ontario and Nunavut Region.

Proposed by: B. Brawley

Seconded by: M. Horn

Motion Passed

Venues for Basic Steward Training (“BST”) and Advanced Steward Training (“AST”) sessions have been secured for all sessions until February 2026. Potential venues for BST and AST sessions post-February 2026 to May 2027 were identified for PIPSC Office Administrator to obtain prices.

Action Item: B. Brawley to follow up with PIPSC Ontario and Nunavut Region Office Administrator to obtain prices for potential venues for BST and AST. 

  1. By-Law & Policy – S. Labbé

No updates pertaining to by-laws and policies for Ontario and Nunavut Region.

  1. Visibility and Mobilization Events (“VME”) – S. Labbé, M. Horn, D. Kamaldin, F. Akol

2025 Labour Day:

Feedback for the 2025 Toronto Labour Day Parade was discussed. Positive feedback included:

  • Members from Canadian Association of Professional Employees (“CAPE”) who marched with PIPSC at the parade expressed appreciation for PIPSC including them
  • Registration of marchers and distribution of CNE wristbands went smoothly
  • T-shirt design for Labour Day Parade was well received.
  • Pictures of the parade were posted to social media, which garnered positive online engagement among PIPSC members

Constructive feedback was received regarding snacks being provided in lieu of a lunch that was provided in prior years.

Branch Presidents will be contacted earlier in the planning process of the Toronto Labour Day Parade to solicit more volunteers. Methods to support Branches with conducting local events for Labour Day will be explored.

 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

A social media post is being planned for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. HRDC provided online resources that can be incorporated in the social media post.

 

  1. Ontario Provincial Group – T. MacDonald

ONRE reviewed a report that was submitted by Ontario Provincial Group Liaison, T. MacDonald.

The Ontario Federation of Labour (“OFL”) requested a meeting to discuss the following 2 issues:

  1. Ontario Public Service Employees Union (“OPSEU”) – funding for public colleges is being reduced.
  2. Ontario Nurses’ Association (“ONA”) – concerns over recent arbitration decision that impacts nurses.
  3. Branch Liaison – M. Horn

Group chat will be created for Branch Presidents for the 2025 PIPSC AGM to update them on events.

  1. Young Professionals – R. Kaura

No update.

  1. Legacy Foundation – J. Purdie

Raffle for Legacy Foundation will take place during the 2025 OSC. 

  1. Social Media and Newsletter – F. Akol

No update.

  1. Ontario Region Council (“ORC”) – J. Purdie and T. Zaharopoulos

Invitations to Group Presidents and President of PIPSC are being prepared. Agenda is being prepared. 

  1. Ontario Steward Council (“OSC”) – B. Brawley

The schedule for the 2025 OSC was reviewed. Legacy Foundation Scholarship recipients have not been selected yet; hence no scholarship award segment is scheduled for OSC. Surplus PIPSC branded items including shirts from the 2025 Toronto Labour Day Parade will be available for attendees.  

  1. Director’s Report – J. Purdie

J. Purdie is scheduled to attend the PIPSC Iqaluit Branch AGM on September 18, 2025.

New PIPSC COO starts October 6, 2025. 

  1. Planning Document – J. Purdie

ONRE was reminded to continue updating the Planning Document for their respective portfolio(s).

  1. New Business
    1. Ontario and Nunavut Region Office Manager - J. Purdie

Status of filling the Ontario Region Office Manager role was discussed. T. Micallef-Jones is currently the acting Manager of the Ontario and Nunavut Region until the role is filled.

    1. Ontario and Nunavut Region Logo - J. Purdie

Drafts of new Ontario and Nunavut Region logos were reviewed by ONRE. Feedback included ensuring PIPSC consults with residents of Nunavut regarding inclusion and appropriateness of cultural symbols. 

    1. National AGM Resolutions - M. Horn

ONRE’s ability to endorse member resolutions was discussed.

Motion:  ONRE endorse a resolution titled Divestment from Genocide.

Proposed by: M. Horn

Seconded by: S. Labbé

Motion Defeated

Motion: ONRE endorse a resolution titled Amendment to the policy on Constituent body allocation.

Proposed by: M. Horn

Seconded by: S. Labbé

Motion Passed

Action Item: S. Labbé to submit the resolution that was endorsed by ONRE.

  1. Round Table                                                                                                   

T. MacDonald: No items.

T. Zaharopoulos: No items.

F. Akol: No items.

B. Brawley: No items.

M. Horn: No items.

S. Labbé: No items.

H. Timla: H. Timla is working with M. Horn to transition the Secretary role to M. Horn.

T. Yantsis: Reminder that a PIPSC branded item for Ontario and Nunavut Region delegates at the AGM will be selected in mid-November.

J. Purdie: No items.

 

Meeting Adjourned

Published on 24 December 2025