78e Quebec Regional Conseil- Minutes- May 3-4, 2019

MEETING MINUTES – 78th Quebec Regional Council

MANOIR DES SABLES (Champêtre room)

May 3–4, 2019

 

Quebec Regional Director:

 BRODEUR, Yvon C.

               

ABEL, Guy — CS-SSC

AWAD, Ahmed — NR-NRCAN

AWADA, Richard — CS-DND

BÉGIN, Francis — CS-NRCAN

BERGERON, Josée — AV-ISEDC

BROUILLETTE, Daniel — AFS-CRA

BROWN, Christiane — SP-HC

CAMPANOZZI, David — AFS-CRA

CARRIÈRE, Luc — Retired

CHOUINARD, Sébastien — AFS-CRA

CINQ-MARS, Nancy — AFS-CRA

CLAVET, Dominic — AFS-CRA

COIRAZZA, Guiseppe — NR-CSC

COSTAMIS, Evangelia — AV-ISEDC

COUILLARD, Jean — AFS-CRA

DAHBI SKALI, Hassan — NR-DND

DAMAS, Pierre-Maurice — SP-HC

D’AMOURS, Erick — CS-SSC

DANG, Viet Cuong (Mike) — CS-DFO

DJAIB, Ngatiré — AFS-CRA

DOWNER, Jimmy — SH-CSC

DOYLE, Richard — SH-CSC

DROUIN, Gabriel — SH-CSC

DUBÉ, Lucie — AFS-CRA

DUCHESNE, Manon — AFS-CRA

EAST, Richard — Retired

EL-HARAKÉ, Maya — AFS-CRA

EXPÉRIENCE, Arold — AFS-CRA

FORGUES, Karina — AFS-CRA

FRÉCHETTE, Stéphanie — SA-CFIA

FRÉCHETTE, Steven — CS-CSC

GALVIN, Christopher G. — AFS-CRA

GARIÉPY, Stéphane — SP-AAFC

GAUTHIER, Christian — AFS-CRA

GAUTHIER, Jean-Pierre — AFS-CRA

GIOLTI, Giovanni - CS - CSA

GRÉGOIRE, Guylaine — AFS-CRA

GUIARD, Renaud — CS-PSPC

HAMEL, Josée — AFS-CRA

HARRISON, Kathy — VM-CFIA

HASSISSÈNE, Nora — VM-CFIA

KANKOLONGO, Kabeya — AFS-CRA

LACROIX, Martine — SH-CSC

LANDRY, Hugo — CS-ECC

LANDRY, Kaven — AFS-CRA

LAPORTE, Sophie — AFS-CRA

LAVAUD, Florcy — SH-CSC

LAVIGNE, Sonia — SH-CSC

LAVOIE, Nancy — CS-CSC

LAWANI, Manfous Adeyandjou — AFS- CRA

LEDUC, Pierre-Yves — SH-CSC

LEMAY, Christine — AFS-CRA

LESSARD, Martin — RE-AAFC

LÉVESQUE, Mélanie — AFS-CRA

LY, Duc Trung — CS-DND

MALENFANT, Steve — SH-CSC

MASSEY, Eric — SH-CSC

MAWJI, Shermin — AV-ISEDC

MICHAUD, Réjean — Retired

MORIN, Pierre C.M. — AFS-CRA

MORIN, Claudine — PG-CSA

MURRAY, Mélanie — CS-SSC

NEFOUCI, Abel — AFS-CRA

NOLET, David — AFS-CRA

OUIMET, Philippe — NR-CSA

PELLETIER, Benoit — AFS-CRA (Rimouski)

PELLETIER, Benoit — AFS-CRA (Sherbrooke)

PICHETTE, Chantal — AFS-CRA

PIERRE, Carlo — AFS-CRA

POTVIN, Johanne — AFS-CRA

POTVIN, Pierre — CS-DND

POULIN, Yanick — AV-ISEDC

RACINE, Lisanne — AFS-CRA

RÉGIMBALD, Karine — SH-DND

RENNA, Gerlando — AFS-CRA

ROY, Éric — CS-SSC

SIDIBÉ, Cheick O.T. — VM-CFIA

SIOUI, Patrick — AFS-CRA

STEVENS, Linda — SH-CSC

TARDIF, Annik — SH-HC

TELLIER, Robert — CS-SSC

THIBAUDEAU, Jocelyne — VM-CFIA

THIBODEAU, Pascal — AFS-CRA

THOMAS, Alexandre — AFS-CRA

TREMBLAY, Christian — AFS-CRA

VALVERDE MURGA, Aida — AFS-CRA

VERMETTE, Isabelle — AFS-CRA

ZAREIFARD, M. Reza — NR-AAFC

 

*Bold indicates members of the Quebec Regional Council

 

Montreal Office Staff    

DURSO, Frédéric

Employment Relations Officer

RENAUD, Anne           

Office Administrator

 

Guest  

AUBRY, Stéphane

Vice-President, Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)

Observer

JASMIN, François

 

Friday, May 3, 2019 – 1:15 p.m.

Call to order of the 78th Quebec Regional Council.

Robert Tellier addressed those in attendance and moved that he serve as Chair instead of the Regional Director. Mr. Tellier presented an excerpt from applicable By-Laws. He explained that this replacement procedure requires, as a minimum, the approval of 75% of the members present at the meeting.

A vote was called and carried unanimously.

Robert Tellier officially called the meeting to order.

 

Approval of the agenda

Robert Tellier proposed an amendment to present the cake to celebrate PIPSC’s 100th anniversary following the Director’s report.

Richard Doyle moved to adopt the amended agenda. Pierre Morin seconded the motion. Carried unanimously.

 

Approval of the Minutes of the 77th Regional Council

Réjean Michaud moved that the 2018 minutes be approved; seconded by Richard East. Carried unanimously.

 

Business arising from the 2018 minutes

No business from the 2018 minutes required particular follow-up.

 

Moment of Silence

Yvon Brodeur proposed a moment of silence for members who had passed away this year.

 

Director’s Report

Yvon Brodeur thanked those in attendance. He introduced members of the Regional Executive:

Stéphanie Fréchette

Nancy Lavoie

Richard Doyle

Hugo Landry

Benoît Pelletier (Rimouski)

Robert Tellier

Christian Tremblay

Gerlando Renna

Martine Lacroix

Réjean Michaud

He talked about the issue on isolated posts that is still pending. He would like to stop the arbitration and pursue the issue from a policy standpoint, via the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie.

Our regional committees (Status of Women, Violence and Harassment in the Workplace, Communications, Human Rights and Diversity) have still not received any permanent funding this year from PIPSC. Yvon will present a request to the Executive Committee.

Funding was received for videos on science and subcontracting, as well as funding from the FTQ for other videos. The target is five videos this year.

Training was recently given by delegates Denis Caissy and Pierre Potvin on violence in the workplace.

He wished everyone a pleasant meeting.

 

Presentation of the cake Robert Tellier explained how the day’s activity would unfold. PIPSC will celebrate its 100th anniversary on February 6, 2020. Robert went over the history of PIPSC. He invited everyone to highlight the centennial in their workplaces.

Presentation by PIPSC Vice-President (Stéphane Aubry)

 (A copy of his PowerPoint presentation is available on request.)

Stéphane Aubry presented what Debi Daviau prepared for the Regional Councils. He explained the history of PIPSC and presented an outline of the Institute and the categories of members.

The main services offered by PIPSC include:

- representation — consultation or escalation of grievances (legal component);

- lobbying — liaison with the employer (mobilization);

- member statistics: large groups and other small groups (Clerk for the House of Commons).

Members are the union. It is important to contribute and stay informed.

The mandate of our elected representatives is to maintain close relationships with members, gauge the general climate and support them.

Implementation of the mandate for this year (Building a community):

Strategic goals:

-Phoenix: since 2017, the Institute has pushed government to develop an effective replacement system and explained the strategy. It will take more money to solve the current problem and it will take time.

-Meetings with members of parliament on issues affecting everyone. There is a loss of confidence in the system.

-Members of the RCMP(1400#): we now represent people who have never been unionized; they are forced, so they are wondering why. There may be losses since their conditions are different from what we have in our traditional collective agreements.

- Public science: climate change, agriculture, etc.

-Subcontracting for the CS group: we’re encouraging the employer to follow a protocol. No career progression; technological clouds and artificial intelligence. 

- Target retirement benefit plan: depends on market economy at retirement. In New Brunswick, the plan resulted in reduced pension cheques. Bill C-27: Not yet removed, but put on the shelf; we expect it to die on the order paper.

-Office 2.0: we continue to support employees whose quality of life at work is affected: if we are disturbed by noise, the employer has an obligation to provide accommodations.

- Mobilization: the team has evolved; younger and more dynamic with digital mobilization. The messages are more appealing. We can see if the mobilization email was opened, and the level of engagement.

-Online training: website unfortunately not completed; we will look at how people use the website, etc.

-Government relations: building long-term relationships; lobbying has begun.

-Media: this is expensive, therefore, in reaction mode. More effective coverage if the media comes to us.

A question period followed.

 

Quebec Regional Manager’s Report

Frederic Durso, who replaced Valérie Charette, presented some specific situations. He presented three different cases:

Case #1: Do not leave your security clearance in your briefcase:

A member was sidelining in real estate. He carried briefcases and was suspected of money laundering in 2016. The member was arrested and on March 30, 2016, he spoke to his employer about it. He told his employer about his situation. He was criminally charged. He pleaded guilty. He received a fine, got probation and did community service, but did not get a criminal record. He was convened for a review of his security clearance on March 29, 2018. In May 2018, he met with an ERO, an investigator, etc.

On March 6, 2019 (3 years after his arrest), he was told his status would be maintained and that he would receive a letter in this regard; later, he was told that there was a change and that his case was not resolved. We must be wary of disciplinary processes disguised as administrative measures. That does not seem to be the case here.

Right now, the way forward is to file a grievance. A request for judicial review at the Federal Court may be necessary.

Case #2: A journey through time:

A member was hired on February 26, 2018, and put on probation. Her evaluations were OK. A new supervisor arrived (between the member and her manager). He made idiotic comments: pee tea, beggar’s lunch, etc. and questioned the member’s work schedule (despite an agreement with the manager). The member mentioned the collective agreement on January 14, 2019. The supervisor started calling her out/getting on her back. Two months before the end of her probation, the manager gave the member a printed email to the effect that she was not meeting expectations. On February 6, she sent an apology letter; on February 7, he replied that he expected her to be fired.

Actions taken: contesting dismissal during a probation period, grievance filed citing a disguised disciplinary measure, unfair labour practice complaint, psychological harassment complaint. Three different attacks.

Case #3: In French, please:

The Official Languages Act turned 50 and is under review. The Revenue Agency office in Quebec City is the only unilingual French-speaking office in Canada. The Director decided that anyone who wants to move up should be bilingual. The law applies everywhere. Two main components: working language—the right to work in the language of your choice, and service language—the position’s requirement to serve the taxpayer in the language of their choice. During staffing processes, the employer must consider the reality of the client base. The Director cited regionalization, etc., to justify that there should only be bilingual positions to ensure more work and more jobs. Employees find that some bilingual positions are sufficient, but that not all positions need to be bilingual (BBB-required bilingualism). No recourse possible. Language requirements are now a basic requirement.

The law seeks to promote bilingualism, not just for Quebec, and does not apply to the detriment of one of the groups.

A question period followed.

 

Health Break

 

Amendments to By-Laws and Regulations

 (See appendix for full texts.)

Stéphanie Fréchette took the floor.

Resolutions for PIPSC’s 2019 AGM

Stéphanie went over last year’s resolutions:

-P-4: that motions submitted individually be presented last. Withdrawn; carried in 2013.

-P-5: hiring process (trade union ideology); considered out of order; already considered in the hiring process.

-F-7: inviting the youngest Steward from each Region to the AGM; rejected; the number of Stewards will increase in 2019, so we can add the youngest to our delegation.

 

Hugo Landry took the floor:

Resolutions referred to this year’s QRC:

-P-1 proposed by Hugo Landry and seconded by Stéphanie Fréchette (on behalf of the council):

Be it resolved to change PIPSC’s status:

13.2.9 (new) Chairing of the meeting

13.2.9.1 The meeting is chaired alternately in both official languages, either by a bilingual Chair, or by English – and French-speaking co-chairs.

Hugo Landry proposed an amendment to add “in a fair manner”, seconded by Stéphanie Fréchette and carried by a majority.

Main resolution vote.

Carried by a majority.

-P-2: Strike day for the environment

Richard East proposed an amendment; seconded by Philippe Ouimet to remove point #3 (date September 27, 2019)

Discussion and vote on the amendment.

Carried unanimously.

Discussion and vote on the main resolution:

Amendment proposed by Josée Hamel to change the title to Environment Day instead of Strike Day for the Environment.

Robert Tellier explained that the amendment would not go to a vote because it was made by the sponsor; the amendment will be considered a substitute.

Discussion and vote on the main resolution that became Environment Day.

Motion to refer by Renaud Guiard, seconded by Christian Tremblay for assessment. The QRC sent the amended resolution for the Board of Directors with instructions to Yvon Brodeur for the Board to consider the resolution at its meeting in June 2019.

We discuss the matter of whom and when to refer: we will have a follow-up at the 2020 QRC.

Yvon Brodeur will give a response to the Mtl-Centre Branch following the Board’s answer.

 Carried by a majority.

 

T-1: Ban on plastic water bottles

Proposed by: Martine Lacroix

Seconded by: Robert Tellier

WHEREAS single-use water bottles are a burden on the environment.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT PIPSC bans single-use water bottles in its regional and national offices.

(For presentation at the 2019 AGM)

Benoît Pelletier proposed an amendment: that PIPSC no longer provide ...…and during its events.

Carried unanimously.

Vote on main resolution: carried unanimously.

 

T-2a:  Environmental Action Committee

Proposed by: Maya El-Haraké

Seconded by: Steven Fréchette

WHEREAS the climate situation is of concern to everyone;

WHEREAS time is now of the essence;

WHEREAS the environment and climate change are everyone’s business;

BE IT RESOLVED to set up an Environmental Action Committee to coordinate PIPSC’s actions and involvement in environmental activities. The Committee will also have to develop an environmental strategy for PIPSC’s activities;

And that a Board Standing Committee be established.

Vote on main resolution: carried unanimously.

 

T-2b:  Drafting of a motion for the 2019 AGM

Proposed by: Renaud Guiard

Seconded by: Mélanie Murray

Be it resolved that the Regional Executive Committee draft a status amendment resolution with T2a-2019.

Vote on main resolution: carried unanimously.

T-3:  Vice-Presidents

Proposed by: Phillippe Ouimet

Seconded by: Giovanni Giolti

WHEREAS part-time VPs are required to negotiate with the employer to determine how they perform their divided tasks;

WHEREAS part-time VPs could, depending on their group and level, be paid differently;

WHEREAS the salary of the two part-time VPs is equivalent to the salary of a full-time VP;

BE IT RESOLVED to replace the two part-time VP positions with a 3rd full-time position.

Motion withdrawn.

 

T-4:  Raising awareness about environmental protection

Proposed by: Hassan Dahbi Skali

Seconded by: Lisanne Racine

WHEREAS, PIPSC contributes to the protection of the environment;

WHEREAS, members contribute to the protection of the environment;

WHEREAS everyone makes a fair contribution to environmental protection;

BE IT RESOLVED that PIPSC recommends that at each constituent body meeting, the members of the Executive should transmit an awareness message on environmental protection.

Vote on main resolution: defeated.

 

T-5:  Science Advisory Committee Mandate

Proposed by: Steven Fréchette

Seconded by: Lisanne Racine

Be it is resolved that By-Law 17.10.2 be amended to add point d) as follows:

17.10.2 Science Advisory Committee Mandate

Proposed addition:

d) develops and implements an environmental protection strategy for PIPSC’s activities.

Vote on main resolution: defeated.

 

T-6:  Enhancement of the training service catalogue

Proposed by: Renaud Guiard

Seconded by: Mélanie Murray

WHEREAS training represents a flagship portfolio for the regions;

WHEREAS all delegates are interested in training;

WHEREAS delegates from the region do not always have information on the training offering available;

WHEREAS prerequisites such as those for OHS training are already known, while those for other training courses are not;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Regional Training Committee shall communicate to all the region’s members the list of training courses that PIPSC and FTQ are considering for the year ahead, at the beginning of the year.

FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Regional Training Committee shall communicate at the beginning of the year to all the region’s members all the prerequisites and selection criteria for each training course PIPSC and FTQ are considering for the year ahead.

ALSO, BE IT RESOLVED that all members interested in training be included on a list divided by training in the PIPSC portal, which is available to all members.

Motion to refer by the sponsor (R. Guiard) with instructions to the Executive: at its next meeting, to return the information to the sponsor for a report at the 2020 QRC.

Motion referred.

 

 

We will resume tomorrow.

Meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.

 

 

Saturday, May 4, 2019 – 8:30 a.m.

Yvon Brodeur called the meeting to continue the Council to order.

 

Young Professionals Committee Report  

David Campanozzi introduced the current members of the Committee: David Campanozzi, Vickie Painchaud, Renaud Guiard, Mélanie Murray, Hugo Landry, Sonia Lavigne and Guillaume Marcotte.

A question period followed.

 

Status of Women Committee Report

Stéphanie Fréchette introduced the members: Stéphanie Fréchette, Isabelle Vermette, Isabelle Mercier, Florcy Lavaud and Lyne Larocque as liaison. The Committee is currently recruiting and a few people have already expressed an interest. 

 

Peer Committee Report

A presentation by Érick D’amours followed by a question period.

 

Health Break

 

Presentation of Financial Statements and Budget

Gerlando Renna presented the Quebec Region’s financial report (2018 financial statements and 2019 budget) for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2018.

A question period followed.

Gerlando moved that the financial report with the 2018 financial statements and the 2019 budget be approved. Seconded by Robert Tellier. Carried unanimously.

 

Regional Training Committee Report

Robert Tellier presented the Committee’s report.

A question period followed.

Robert stated that the report would be adopted later, in conjunction with the other reports.

 

National and Regional Committee Reports        

Finance Committee:

Benoît Pelletier gave an overview of the year’s meetings and reviewed the Committee’s mandate, which is mainly to make recommendations that will later be taken under advisement by the Board and ultimately at the AGM. He specified that financial information is available on the finance portal, which is in protected mode. In short, he reported that PIPSC’s financial situation is sound. For specific questions, he encouraged members to contact him, Sean O’Reilly or Dennis Britt.

Training and Education Committee (TEC): Martine Lacroix presented her report.

By-Laws and Policies Committee: Stéphanie Fréchette presented the Committee’s report.

Scholarship Committee: no report presented.

Human Rights Committee: no report presented.

Science Advisory Committee: Pierre Morin presented his report.

 

Lunch

Branch Liaison Committee: Renaud Guiard said that a meeting had taken place the previous day and that a report would be produced.

Better Together Committee: no report presented.

Mobilization Committee: Christian Tremblay presented the Committee’s report.

Professional Recognition Committee: Johanne Potvin presented the report, which was posted in the virtual binder on the Region’s website.

Information Technology Committee/IT Services and Projects Committee:

Hugo Landry presented his Committee reports.

 

Robert Tellier moved that all of the committee reports be approved. Seconded by Richard East. Carried unanimously.

 

Communications Committee: Hugo Landry presented his report.

Human Rights and Diversity Committee: no report presented.

Resolutions Committee: Stéphanie Fréchette presented the Committee’s report.

Dispute Resolution: Benoît Pelletier(Rimouski) presented his report.

Retirement and Finance: Rejean Michaud presented his report the previous day.

 

Branch Presidents’ Reports:                                                                             

*Bold indicates the Chairs whose reports were posted in the Virtual Binder on the Quebec Region’s website

Abitibi-Témiscamingue: Richard East

Montreal and the North Shore – CSC: Richard Doyle

Haut-Richelieu: Pierre Potvin

Iqaluit:

Laval: Pierre Morin 

Lennoxville: Martin Lessard

Mauricie: Christian Tremblay

Montérégie: Giovanni Giolti

Montreal-Centre: Josée Hamel

Montreal-East:

Montreal-West: Hugo Landry

Quebec City: Denis Caissy

Eastern Quebec: Benoît Pelletier

Saguenay Lac St-Jean: Kaven Landry 

Sherbrooke: Benoît Pelletier

St-Jean — Agriculture: Benoît Lacasse

St-Hyacinthe: Stéphanie Fréchette

Ville-Marie: Renaud Guiard

Robert Tellier moved that all of Branch Presidents’ reports be approved. Seconded by Richard East. Carried unanimously.