Ontario Region Executive Meeting - February 18, 2023
Westin Harbour Castle
Present: J. Purdie, C. L’Estrange, T. Yantsis, A. Stone, P. Tsuji, D. Kamaldin, R. Kaura, B. Brawley, M. Chan, T. Zaharopoulos
Regrets: T. MacDonald
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
- Opening remarks
Director acknowledged land usage.
- Approval of the Agenda
Item 7(a)(vii) Elections Committee was added to the Agenda.
MOTION to approve the Agenda
Moved: Din Kamaldin
2nd: Anthony Stone Carried
- Approval of the Minutes
MOTION to approve the previous minutes.
Moved: Anthony Stone
2nd: Din Kamaldin Carried
- Tracking Report
The Tracking Report was used to update the action items from previous meetings.
Finalize hospitality results and send to the branches.
Action: Stone
- Treasurer’s Report - Yantsis
Treasurer gave an update on our financial position in his Treasurer’s report. We are on track to qualify for our full allotment. Discussion on the reimbursement for the December 17, 2022, ORE function.
Treasurer to share Treasurer’s Report worksheet for 2022.
Action: Yantsis
MOTION to accept the Financials as presented.
Moved: Anthony Stone
2nd: Din Kamaldin Carried
MOTION to move nominations committee item up in the Agenda after Item #5) Treasurer’s Report Consensus
Elections\Nominations Committee
MOTION to have Rachit act as Chair of the Elections/Nominations Committee
Moved: Tsuji
2nd: Yantsis Carried
Normally, the Elections Committee is composed of all the members who are not up for re-election and excluding the Director. However, Tom Zaharopolous and Anthony Stone will not be attending the ORC so they will not be on the Elections Committee.
List of Elections Committee
Rachit Kaura (Chair)
Din Kamaldin
Tom Yantsis
MOTION that ORE appoint Elections Committee for 2023 ORC.
Moved: Anthony Stone
2nd: Chris L’Estrange Carried
Secretary to forward Elections Committee information to Heather
Action: Tsuji
Regional Office Manager’s Report scheduled for later so we discussed the 2 potential alternatives for the Team Building exercise for the ORC Agenda item.
MOTION to have the negotiation exercise as a collaborative Team Building Event for 30 minutes
Moved: Bridget Brawley
2nd: Tom Yantsis Carried
- Regional Office Manager’s Report – Kredentser
The manager discussed that there were 2 new staff members Todd and Emma. There is currently 6 to 7 full time ERO’s but they still have a COVID backlog so she asked for additional help from HR which was approved.
The manager said that they have a new Case Management System that was introduced in October 2022, and they should be finished transferring all the open cases by January 2023. There are COVID related and Vaccine mandate cases which are still in the system. Also, there are Return to Office (“RTO”), Phoenix and RTO accommodation cases in the system.
- Review of Committees
a) BOD Committees
i) BLPC – report filed secretarially
Ii) Elections – report filed secretarially
iii) Finance – report filed secretarially
iv) Human Rights – report filed secretarially
v) Information Technology – report filed secretarially
vi) Professional Recognition – report filed secretarially
vii) Science Advisory – report filed secretarially
b) ORE Committees
i) Training Committee
The new National Training Committee chair is Pete Jozsa and the next meeting is February 21, 2023. There have been some concerns raised with the 1 King Street location so we are considering other locations for 2024.
MOTION that Training Committee Chair directs Heather to investigate costing the 3 events at 1 location.
Moved: Anthony Stone
2nd: Chris L’Estrange Carried
The Training Committee Chair to ask Heather about 4 potential locations:
1) White Oaks, Niagara
2) 1 King Street, Toronto
3) Marriott, Toronto
4) Kingston, air and drive accessible
ii) Bylaw and Policy
As previously filed.
iii) Visibility Mobilization Events Committee
ORE partly sponsor some events for Black History month through Better Together.
Visibility Event Mobilization committee member to post information on the Facebook page. Action: Kamaldin
Visibility Event Mobilization committee member to contact Tina to send information through the Branch Liaison. Action: Kamaldin
iv) Branch Liaison
To schedule a meeting before the ORC.
v) Ontario Provincial Groups Liaison
Ontario Director attended a meeting on behalf of the Liaison. Topics included topics such as health care, underfunding of schools, rent control and COLA.
vi) Young Professionals Liaison
MOTION to have the Chair of the Young Professionals committee to screen 8 of 26 applications to add 8 members aged 25-34 as members of the Young Professionals committee.
Moved: Bridget Brawley
2nd: Din Kamaldin Carried
Discussion on allocating three spots for Young Professionals at the ORC.
Young Professionals Chair to submit to Heather the list of the 8 members to be posted on the website Action: Kaura
Young Professionals Chair to send out confirmations to the 8 members for the first meeting. Action: Kaura
Director to research potential for funding for the Young Professionals Committee. Action: Purdie
- Regional Council
There was a discussion about each of the specific speakers. We talked about the potential reception and hospitality at the ORC. The reception will be scheduled prior to the meal and delegates cannot opt out of any of the meals. There will be a 2 drink limit at the reception, a wine pour at dinner.
MOTION that hospitality use servers from the Fern Resort
Moved: Bridget Brawley
2nd: Rachit Kaura Carried
Motion to host hospitality on Friday night between 8:15 and 11:00 pm.
Moved: Anthony Stone
2nd: Bridget Brawley Carried
There was discussion about potentially having a trip to Casino Rama for the Saturday evening.
ORC Chair to contact Heather to contact Casino Rama about potential shuttle service for Saturday night. Action: L’Estrange
ORC Chair to ask about potential dining facilities for Saturday night.
Action: L’Estrange
ORC Chair to invite 4 group presidents to provide information at the breakout sessions. Action: L’Estrange
MOTION to remove “All other Federal Groups” from the information sessions
Moved: Bridget Brawley
2nd: Anthony Stone Carried
MOTION to accept the Treasurer’s suggestion for the ORC swag.
Moved: Tom Zaharopolous
2nd: Bridget Brawley Carried
Existing formula for choosing delegates from the 21 branches
A – 11 ORE
B – per 100
C – per 50
Every branch is guaranteed a minimum of 2 delegates.
MOTION that the 2 vacant positions from the ORE be re-allocated to the Young Professionals Committee.
Moved: Anthony Stone
2nd: Rachit Kaura Carried
The Young Professionals Committee Chair will notify Heather of the 2 Young Professional Committee members who were chosen.
ORC Chair to notify Heather that 2 ORE delegate seats (Anthony Stone and Tom Zaharopoulos) have been re-delegated to the Young Professional Committee
Action: L’Estrange
Tentative 2023 ORE Meeting Schedule:
1) February 18, at Westin Harbour Castle
2) April 27, ORC at the Fern Resort
3) June 2-3, Strategic Retreat at Rocky Crest
4) July 8, try out new locations, meet at location and invite local
5) September 22, OSC at Niagara
6) November 18, Toronto
May be looking at Kingston as a potential site
MOTION to approve the ORC Agenda
Moved: Chris L’Estrange
2nd: Bridget Brawley Carried
There will be a call letter for applications for the Ontario position on the Elections Committee since Tim Azab may not be permitted to switch from the Elections Appeals Committee to the Elections Committee as he did not originally apply for the Elections Committee.
9. Steward Council
The Chair talked about the Steward of the Year and Glenn Maxwell award; there are no clear-cut criteria for the Glenn Maxwell award.
10. Director’s Report
Written report was posted on the Ontario Region drive.
11. New Business
A) Event Absense
Discussed the issue that someone failed to attend steward training and did not contact Heather that resulted in 3 days accommodation and 3 days of meals charged to PIPSC.
MOTION that PIPSC Finance enforce the policy for reimbursement of expense.
Moved: Bridget Brawley
2nd: Anthony Stone Carried
Director to contact Heather to have PIPSC Finance enforce the policy for reimbursement of expense.
Action: Purdie
B) Branch and Executive of the Year, see earlier discussion
C) Steward of the Year
There was no Steward of the Year last year because of a failure of the process not criteria. There still are no criteria but will be discussed at the next meeting.
D) Ontario Resolutions
The ORE has the responsibility to pass on the resolution but not to endorse or sponsor.
12. Round Table:
Chan – What is the budget amount for the prize?
Purdie – asked the ORC Chair if he had a phone?
Provide a quote for travel cube with a logo. Action: Yantsis
Treasurer to look for other ideas for Steward Council swag
Action: Yantsis
13. Next Meeting: April 27, 2023, Fern Resort