Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Côte-Nord Branch
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of
the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean and Côte-Nord Branch
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 – Le Pichet du Faubourg, Jonquière
In attendance: Kaven Landry (President)
Janic Lavoie (Vice-president)
Sébastien Chouinard (Treasurer)
Pascal Bourgeois (Secretary)
Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe (Director)
Catherine Allaire (Director)
Marie-Joëlle Turcotte (Director)
Christine Tremblay (Director)
Karen Hrynowiecki (Director)
Pierre-Luc Beaudry (Director)
Regrets: Jean-François Maziade (Director)
Total number of members and guests present: 47 people
The meeting began at 5:58 p.m.
- Roll call (members of the executive)
President Kaven Landry introduced the members of the executive.
- Welcome
The president thanked the members for turning out in such large numbers and acknowledged the presence of our guests, Sean O’Reilly, president of PIPSC, and Benoit Pelletier, director of the Québec region.
- Adoption of the agenda
Michael Tremblay moved to approve the agenda, and Wesley Landry seconded the motion.
- Follow-up to the minutes of the AGM held on April 15, 2025, at the Calypso in Jonquière
Mr. Landry summarized the report.
- Business arising from the minutes of the AGM held on April 15, 2025
None.
- Approval of the minutes of the AGM held on April 15, 2025
Martin Desgagné moved to approve the minutes, and Cynthia Gagnon seconded the motion.
- President’s report
Kaven Landry thanked the guests and members in attendance.
He spoke about the use of the term “section” to replace “chapitre” (in French), a change that has been in effect for over a year and which requires PIPSC to gradually update its Bylaws and official documents.
He introduced the branch, which has approximately 179 members spread across roughly 9 departments and agencies and an annual budget of about $5,000. He introduced the 11-member executive, as well as how it operates and the topics typically discussed at its meetings. He talked about the activities organized by the branch this year.
He then highlighted the outgoing executive members, thanking Christine Tremblay, who was appointed director in 2022; Pascal Bourgeois, who was appointed secretary in 2017; and Sébastien Chouinard, who has served on the executive (as treasurer/director) for several years.
He also informed the assembly that, after more than 20 years on the executive, having been elected president in 2017, he is stepping down from his position as president, but that he would be interested in remaining on the executive to ensure continuity with the future president.
- Vice-president’s report
Janic Lavoie thanked the assembly for their participation. He clarified certain aspects of the union’s structure, noting in particular that the term “branch” refers to a region or a geographic location, while the term “group” refers to a profession.
He mentioned that the branch’s goal is to foster closer ties among the groups in the area.
- Treasurer’s annual financial report
Sébastien Chouinard mentioned that he is finishing his final year as treasurer. He summarized the branch’s financial situation. According to the account statement as of December 31, 2025, there is $833.82 in cash available. Revenue for the year 2025 totalled $5,895.27, while expenses totalled $6,934.86. The year therefore ended with a deficit of $1,039.59. The 2026 budget projects total revenue of $5,358.00, of which $3,983.00 will come from the annual allocation, $800.00 from the allocation for small branches, and $75.00 from interest income. A surplus of $158.00 is expected.
- Approval of the 2025 annual financial report and the 2026 budget
Pascal Bourgeois moved to approve the financial report, and Catherine Allaire seconded the motion.
- Presentation by Benoit Pelletier, director of the Québec region
Mr. Pelletier noted that the attendance rate at this meeting (approximately 33% of registered members) was double the usual average. He was very impressed.
The Québec region has approximately 7,600 PIPSC members.
Nationwide, the union has reported a decline of 1,499 members, which has resulted in a revenue shortfall of more than $1.49 million and requires budgetary discipline and efficient spending.
Valuation and structure PIPSC is leading the campaign “We don’t need experts – we are experts.” Unlike provincial civil servants (e.g., in health care), federal professionals (scientists, analysts) lack visibility among the public. In terms of structure, it was noted that a consultation president is added to the branches and subgroups.
Guidelines, training and governing bodies
- Strategy: A recent meeting provided an opportunity to review the Québec region’s activities and plan work on the Bylaws, with the aim of returning to the core priorities: training and engagement.
- Training: The service is available online, although some translation challenges remain.
- Governing bodies: The Steward Council is open to everyone, while the Québec Regional Council is limited to a ratio of one representative for every 100 members.
- Presentation by Sean O’Reilly, president of PIPSC
Mr. O’Reilly expressed his genuine pleasure at being here and highlighted his familiarity with the region, noting that he speaks French and that his wife is originally from La Pocatière. He thanked the members for the invitation, their attendance, and their commitment, while emphasizing the crucial importance of mobilization. He emphasized that the stewards, as well as the executives of the branches and subgroups, form the very foundation of the union.
Current context and key challenges The public service is currently under enormous strain, and job security is being called into question by the employer, which is causing serious concern. Three major issues are drawing attention:
- Return to office (4 days): The government is looking for physical spaces; negotiations are underway, particularly with the IT group.
- Early retirement: PIPSC has filed a grievance because this program, which is financially beneficial to the government, violates the collective agreement.
- Work force adjustment (WFA): The union pointed out that the WFA is the only official mechanism provided for in the collective agreement in the event of a layoff.
Valorization of expertise and union actions A new campaign has been launched to highlight in-house expertise (e.g., CFIA, CRA, scientists, engineers) and counter negative public perceptions. The goal is to demonstrate that the problems and delays (e.g., Service Canada) stem from successive budget cuts dating back to the Harper era, and not from the work of public servants. Cutting back today will lead to financial and structural losses tomorrow.
Representation and engagement PIPSC is actively lobbying elected officials from all parties, who, incidentally, are proving to be more receptive than they were a year ago. In conclusion, he reiterated that AGAs are essential forums for discussion: the union is strong only when its members get involved. In the face of these challenges, members are not alone; PIPSC actively defends their rights in Parliament and before the general public.
Q&A with the president
| An article appeared in the newspapers two months before the bargaining between the employer and the union, indicating that we were going to return to the office… | The media have been informed, but there is no evidence as to where the information came from. |
| Return to office 4 days a week | The union’s executive members are working on this. The negotiators are working with the PSAC. To be continued. |
| Would it be realistic to expect provisions on teleworking to be included in the collective agreement in the future? | This issue will be discussed during the negotiations, but I’m not sure. |
| The PSAC is taking a more aggressive approach in the media and in mobilizing its members. PIPSC often reacts too late. | There’s a problem with the media in Québec. We must continue our efforts to engage our members. It’s more important to get involved than to fight to go on strike. |
| Collaboration with other unions: regional concerns are integrated at the national level. | The National Capital dominates the scene. Employees in the regions have managers located everywhere else. It’s ridiculous for employees to be in the office all day on Teams. |
| How can we ensure a new generation of public servants? What actions could the union promote? | Pension plans must be secured. Work is underway with the Joint National Committee to evaluate the options before the announcement is made. A history of being overly reactive. Québec got a taste of that, too. Minister Boulay – partially voluntary contribution. |
Presentation of the president’s gift.
- Elections
Benoit Pelletier offered to preside over the election, an offer that was accepted by the assembly.
The election chair asked if there were any retirees present, since they are required to come forward. No one came forward.
Positions to be filled by election are announced:
| Positions to be filled by election | Term of appointment |
| President | 2 years |
| Vice-president | 1 year |
| Treasurer | 2 years |
| Secretary | 2 years |
| 3 directors | 2 years |
| 1 director | 1 year |
It is possible that other positions, particularly those of directors, may become vacant during the election.
The election chair explained how the election process works. Changes have been made to the process. For each position to be filled by election, the process is as follows:
| Steps | Procedure |
| Nominations | Members nominate candidates for the position to be filled by election. |
| Nomination period closed. | The election chief announces the close of nominations. |
| Acceptance or rejection of the nomination. | Members who have been nominated accept or decline the nomination. |
| Election by acclamation OR vote | If the number of accepted nominations matches the number of positions up for election: election by acclamation. If the number of accepted nominations exceeds the number of positions up for election, a vote will be held. |
The election chair begins the process.
President (2-year term)
Nominations
- Kaven Landry nominated Janic Lavoie.
- There were no other nominations.
Nomination period closed.
- Janic Lavoie accepted.
Janic Lavoie was elected by acclamation.
Vice-president (1-year term)
Nominations
- Pascal Bourgeois nominated Kaven Landry.
- Karen Hrynowiecki nominated Pierre-Luc Beaudry.
There were no other nominations.
Nomination period closed.
- Kaven Landry declined.
- Pierre-Luc Beaudry accepted.
Pierre-Luc Beaudry was elected by acclamation.
Treasurer (1-year term)
Nominations
- Christine Tremblay nominated Karen Hrynowiecki.
- There were no other nominations.
Nomination period closed.
- Karen Hrynowiecki accepted.
Karen Hrynowiecki was elected by acclamation.
Secretary (2-year term)
Nominations
- Pascal Bourgeois nominated Marie-Joëlle Turcotte.
- There were no other nominations.
Nomination period closed.
- Marie-Joëlle Turcotte accepted.
Marie-Joëlle Turcotte was elected by acclamation.
Since Pierre-Luc Beaudy, Karen Hrynowiecki, and Marie-Joëlle Turcotte have stepped down from their current positions, there are now four director positions available for a 2-year term and two for a 1-year term.
Four directors, 2-year term
Nominations
- Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe nominated Catherine Allaire.
- Marie-Joëlle Turcotte nominated Ann-Émilie Simard-Desbiens.
- Pierre-Luc Beaudry nominated Michael Tremblay.
- Janic Lavoie nominated Cynthia Gagnon.
- There were no other nominations.
Nomination period closed.
- Catherine Allaire accepted.
- Ann-Émilie Simard-Desbiens accepted.
- Michael Tremblay accepted.
- Cynthia Gagnon accepted.
All were elected by acclamation.
Two directors, 1-year term
Nominations
- Pascal Bourgeois nominated Kaven Landry.
- Janic Lavoie nominated Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe.
- There were no other nominations.
Nomination period closed.
- Kaven Landry accepted.
- Valérie Ringuette-Lapointe accepted.
All were elected by acclamation.
- Other businesses
Kaven Landry conducted the door prize drawing, which included hoodies and placemats.
The winners were:
- Luc Villeneuve
- Bruno Mailloux
- Jean-Sébastien Gilbert
- Stéphanie Fortin
- Guillaume Quirion
- Jonathan Fradet
- Cathy Lalancette
- Olivier Bergeron
- Cynthia Gagnon
- Mathieu Paquet
- Ann-Émilie Simard-Desbiens
- Martin Desgagné
- Jérôme Simard
- Kaven Bouchard
- Pascal Bourgeois
- Adjournment
The meeting ended at 8:14 p.m. A motion to adjourn the meeting was proposed by Steve Tremblay and seconded by Christine Tremblay.
Marie-Joëlle Turcotte