Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean/Côte-Nord Branch
Minutes of the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean/Côte-Nord Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM)
(Translated from French)
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Calypso, Jonquière
In attendance: Kaven Landry (President)
Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe (Vice-President)
Sébastien Chouinard (Treasurer)
Martin Desgagné (Director)
Christine Tremblay (Director)
Pierre-Luc Beaudry (Director)
Janic Lavoie (Director)
Regrets:
Pascal Bourgeois (Secretary)
Catherine Allaire (Director)
Total members/guests present: 50
The meeting began at 6:03 p.m.
- Roll Call (members of the Executive)
President Kaven Landry introduced the members of the Executive.
- Opening Remarks
The President thanked members for attending in such large numbers, and highlighted the presence of our guests, Mr. Benoit Pelletier, Québec Regional Director, and Ms. Stéphanie Fréchette, full-time VP at PIPSC.
3. Approval of Agenda
The approval of the agenda was moved by Martin Desgagné and seconded by André Belley.
- Review of the Minutes of the AGM of May 7, 2024, at Bistro Café Summum, Chicoutimi
Mr. Landry summarized the report.
5. 6. Business Arising from the AGM Minutes of May 7, 2024
No questions.
6. Approval of the AGM Minutes of May 7, 2024
Caroline Jean motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Pierre-Luc Beaudry.
7. President’s Report
Kaven Landry reported that the Chapter has changed its name to Branch and now has 191 members, spread across 9 departments and agencies. Kaven explained that the Executive meets 4 or 5 times a year. At these meetings, various topics are discussed, including negotiations, mobilization and member support. These meetings are also a good opportunity to exchange information. The President pointed out that he sits on several committees, including the Regional Council and the Provincial Council, which enables him to discuss members’ concerns.
Several activities have been initiated by members of the Executive in 2024. The 2024 fall event at the Canadian Legion was very popular. Guest speaker Réjean Michaud, a pension plan/fund specialist, was much appreciated. An International Women’s Day event was also held in Côte-Nord, as well as other activities designed to bring group members together (e.g., coffee and muffins, etc.). Given our limited budget, additional funds are sometimes requested from Better Together.
In closing, the President thanked the members of the Executive for their involvement and support. It’s not always easy to mobilize members, but the efforts made are paying off, as evidenced by the number of participants at the 2024 AGM and the fall activity.
8. Vice-President’s Report
Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe introduced herself and thanked everyone for attending. She said she is motivated by members’ enthusiasm. Her main aim is affiliation and creating links with members of different groups. She looks forward to the coming year with great enthusiasm. She invited people to get involved with the Branch.
9. Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report – Sébastien Chouinard
Sébastien summarized the Branch’s financial position. According to the statement of account as of December 31, 2024, a cash balance of $1,179.66 is available. Revenues for 2024 totalled $6,535.60, with $6,596.60 in expenses. The year ended with a slight deficit of $61. The 2025 budget forecasts total revenues of $4,575, including
$3,200 from the annual allotment and $800 from the small branch allowance, plus interest income of $75. A surplus of $275 is expected.
10. Approval of the 2024 Annual Financial Report and the 2025 Budget
The approval of the financial report was moved by Cathy Lalancette and seconded by Cynthia Gagnon.
11. Presentation by Benoit Pelletier, Quebec Regional Director
Mr. Pelletier warmly greeted members and thanked them for their support. He said he was delighted to be here. Mr. Pelletier has been with the Canadian public service for 32 years, first with the CID and then with the CRA in Rimouski as auditor for the MTL region. His primary mission is to engage members. His involvement with the trade union began in 2008–2009, when he joined a Health and Safety Committee. This is his third term on the Quebec executive, after a break during the pandemic.
Benoit explained his management structure and informed the members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) that they have obtained wage increases through collective agreements. An increase in membership dues ($15 per month) was also approved. This adjustment was necessary, since there had been no increase since 2016.
Over the next year, Benoit is inviting people to take part in the Institute’s surveys. Surveys help prepare for upcoming negotiations. Members are invited to take advantage of their right to vote in elections at a time when everyone wants to reduce the size of the public service. He reminded us to consider candidates’ intentions, especially those aimed at taking care of our people. He recommended that members provide their personal email address to receive information and has attended the delegate training.
Workforce adjustment (WFA): Benoit mentioned that PIPSC is notified first in the event of a WFA, and suggested that members read the full WFA chapter in the collective agreement.
12. Presentation by Stéphanie Fréchette, Part-time VP at PIPSC
Ms. Fréchette thanked the group for the invitation and congratulated them on their discipline. She explained the structure of PIPSC and its new president, Sean O’Reilly, and mentioned that she sits on the PIPSC Board of Directors, which brings together 47 groups and 75,000 members in 6 regions across Canada. A nutritionist by training, she has been with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency since 1997. She also explained the structure of the Agency and mentioned that this is her second term at PIPSC. Stéphanie thanked everyone for turning out in such large numbers for this AGM and invited members to take part in the SOS webinar on the PIPSC website.
13. Elections
Benoit Pelletier offered to chair the election.
President (2-year term): Janic Lavoie nominated Kaven Landry; the motion was seconded by Pierre-Luc Beaudry.
Sébastien Chouinard nominated Janic Lavoie; the motion was seconded by Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe; Janic declined.
No other nominations.
Kaven accepted and was acclaimed.
Treasurer (2-year term): Kaven nominated Sébastien Chouinard. The motion was seconded by Christine Tremblay. No other nominations. Sébastien Chouinard was acclaimed.
Four Directors (2-year term):
Kaven Landry nominated Janic Lavoie; he accepted.
Kaven nominated Christine Tremblay; she declined.
Chantale Huot nominated Véronique Prévost; she declined.
Two nomination forms were received:
Anne-Julie Néron nominated Karen Hrynowiecki;
Christine Tremblay nominated Marie-Joëlle Turcotte;
There is a presumption of acceptance when a compliant form is submitted.
Pierre-Luc Beaudry nominated Jean-François Maziade; he accepted.
Directors Janic, Jean-François, Karen and Marie-Joëlle were acclaimed.
14. Miscellaneous
Question from a nurse member who is the only one in her group and wanted to organize an activity for just one person.
15. Adjournment
The meeting ended at 8:06 p.m. Pierre-Luc Beaudry moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Martin Desgagné.
Christine Tremblay
Acting Director and Secretary