Ontario Region Executive Minutes, June 7, 2025
Rocky Crest Golf Resort, MacTier, ON
Present: J. Purdie, T. Yantsis, B. Brawley, T. MacDonald, S. Labbé, H. Timla, D. Kamaldin, R. Kaura, F. Akol, M. Horn
Meeting called to order
- Land acknowledgment
Land acknowledgment was conducted by PIPSC Ontario Region Director, J. Purdie.
- Opening remarks by Director – J. Purdie
J. Purdie provided an overview of the structure of Ontario Region Executive (“ORE”) meetings for new members.
- Approval of Agenda
Agenda approved - Consensus
- Approval of Minutes
Minutes from ORE meeting conducted on March 27, 2025 were approved – Consensus
- Matters Arising / Tracking Report – J. Purdie
-Concur "how to" video that can be presented during Treasurer Training is still in progress.
-PIPSC organizational chart is in progress. PIPSC Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) job posting is online and the hiring process is ongoing.
-Confirmed Ontario Region Training Chair position is selected after Ontario Region Council (“ORC”). A new Training Chair would need to be selected after ORC if the incumbent is not re-elected.
- Treasurer’s Report – T. Yantsis
Report presented by Treasurer, T. Yantsis.
Treasurer’s report was approved - Consensus.
Topic of constituent body alignment with PIPSC year-end was discussed.
- Committee Reports
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (“BOD”) COMMITTEES
- By-Laws and Policies Committee (“BLPC”) – S. Labbé:
Report was submitted by S. Labbé. Next meeting is June 16, 2025, in Ottawa. The Resolution's sub-committee is scheduled for September 22, 2025. Model by-law can be used by constituent bodies that do not currently have by-laws.
ACTION ITEM: S. Labbé to follow-up with BLPC on status of proactive reviews of by-laws of constituent bodies.
- Finance Committee – Z. Dharsee:
Update was provided by J. Purdie. Z. Dharsee is the new Finance Committee representative from Ontario Region in place of J. Nesher. Selection process was conducted among original applicants for the Finance Committee role. PIPSC BOD approved the addition of Z. Dharsee to the Finance Committee.
- Human Rights and Diversity Committee (“HRDC”) – H. Timla:
Report submitted by H. Timla was reviewed.
ACTION ITEM: H. Timla to advise PIPSC HRDC of an Ontario Region Branch Executive who received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for work pertaining to human rights and diversity.
- Information Technology Services and Projects (“ITSP”) Committee – D. Scarling:
Report submitted by D. Scarling was reviewed.
- Science and Advisory Committee (“SAC”) – F. Scott
No report provided.
ACTION ITEM: J. Purdie to contact F. Scott to discuss the status of SAC reports for ORE.
- Training and Education Committee – B. Brawley
Report provided by B. Brawley was reviewed. National Basic Steward Training is taking place during June 19-21, 2025, at the Ottawa Marriott. Selection criteria for the training venue included the ability to accommodate the 100 trainees that are expected to attend. 40 members from Ontario Region are expected to attend the National Basic Steward Training. The Ontario Region budget is not impacted by the National Basic Steward Training. Two Labour Schools have been budgeted for the 2025-26 fiscal year in the Ontario Region portion of the National Training budget.
- Elections Committee – T. Azab
Two meetings were conducted. T. Azab was advised not to provide an Elections Committee report by the Elections Committee.
ACTION ITEM: J. Purdie to follow-up with the Election Committee Chair about provision of reports.
- Elections Appeals Committee – S. Asif
Report provided by S. Asif was reviewed.
ORE COMMITTEES / LIAISONS
- Training Committee – B. Brawley
New Training Committee for the Ontario Region is composed of B. Brawley, R. Kaura, S. Labbé and M. Horn.
Next meeting is July 29, 2025. There are 3 meetings each year, which are all half-day meetings. PIPSC branded item for Basic Steward Training will be determined.
MOTION: 60 portfolios for Basic Steward Training.
Proposed by B. Brawley.
Seconded by T. Yantsis.
Discussion of Motion: Portfolios will cover 3 Basic Steward Trainings including Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Fall 2026. Approx. cost was discussed.
Motion Passed - Unanimous
Training Report submitted by Training Chair, B. Brawley, was reviewed. Basic Steward Training (“BST”) is scheduled for Feb 6-7, 2025, at Hyatt Regency in Toronto and Oct 16-18, 2025 at White Oaks in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Labour School (Advanced Training) is scheduled for May 28-31, 2025 and Nov 12-15, 2025, both at White Oaks in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Training options for Labour School (Advance Training) were discussed. Core Executive Training for 2026 is tentatively scheduled for March 2026.
Potential venues were identified for training events for Fall 2026 onwards. Names of potential venues will be submitted to PIPSC administrative staff to obtain quotes on pricing.
ACTION ITEM: B. Brawley to follow-up on differences in Federal and Provincial Health and Safety legislation.
ACTION ITEM: J. Purdie to identify contact at PIPSC for Health and Safety.
ACTION ITEM: B. Brawley to confirm if she can provide the training courses that Stewards have completed to Branch Presidents and Sub-Group Presidents.
ACTION ITEM: B. Brawley to confirm if she can obtain approval of Branch Presidents and Sub-Group Presidents prior to approving the attendance of Stewards at training courses.
- By-law & Policy – S. Labbé
Resolutions from 2025 ORC will be submitted.
- Visibility and Mobilization Events (“VME”) – S. Labbé and H. Timla
VME Committee members are S. Labbé, D. Kamaldin, M. Horn and F. Akol.
-Toronto Pride Parade: 15 PIPSC Ontario Region members have expressed interest in watching the Toronto Pride Parade. PIPSC HRDC members will also watch the Toronto Pride Parade. Better Together funding has been secured to provide PIPSC Pride shirts to the first 20 registrants and snacks for PIPSC Ontario Region members.
-Labour Day Parade: Budget document and poster were prepared. A truck for the parade is reserved. Hotel reserved for coordinator. Budget for the Labour Day Parade was discussed. Seeking an additional $X,XXX via Better Together program.
-Truth and Reconciliation: Connect with HRDC and PIPSC Indigenous Caucus to see if they are interested in collaborating on an event.
Report submitted by T. MacDonald was reviewed.
A provincial employer advised PIPSC that they are seeking to add a classification of Radiation Therapy Assistants.
PIPSC finance staff have been contacted about issues that provincial members are experiencing with their respective employer regarding claiming leave pertaining to Family Life Balance Policy.
Separate Employers Group (“SEG”) discussed how funds for bargaining are to be used.
All of the provincial groups are going to bargaining this year.
Discussed issues pertaining to staffing shortages at a provincial group, limited number of union days in contracts for some provincial groups, refusal by an employer to allow a Steward from another location to represent a PIPSC member and the need for mentoring and more support from ERO’s for provincial Stewards.
- Young Professionals – R. Kaura
R. Kaura is the Chair of the Ontario Region Young Professionals Committee. R. Kaura is also the Ontario Region representative for the AFS YPN Committee.
Report provided by R. Kaura was reviewed.
Bowling event in Hamilton was a success, as 25 members attended and expressed interest in becoming more involved in the committee. Next event is taking place in London, Ontario.
Committee callout to be issued in June 2025 with selection of members expected in July. There are 3 positions with a 1-year term and 3 positions with a 2-year term. A strategic planning session will take place at the end of July after committee selection.
Committee is using social media platforms to engage with members, including Instagram, Discord and WhatsApp.
New Branch Liaison is M. Horn.
Report that was submitted by prior Branch Liaison, T. MacDonald, was reviewed.
Discussed concerns over Branch Presidents not being notified of new members in their respective Branch and several Executives only having access to a basic Zoom account.
2 new Employment Relations Officers (“ERO”) and 2 new Labour Relations Officers (“LRO”) were hired by PIPSC.
- Legacy Foundation – J. Purdie
New Legacy Foundation Liaison for Ontario Region is J. Purdie.
Update provided on new campaign for academic scholarships for members.
- Regional Council – J. Purdie.
J. Purdie is the Chair and T. Zaharopoulos is the Vice-Chair of the 2026 Ontario Region Council (“ORC”).
Budget for 2027 ORC was reviewed. Prices for potential venues for 2027 ORC were reviewed.
Motion: 2027 ORC to be conducted at Holiday Inn, Kingston Waterfront.
Proposed by B. Brawley.
Seconded by S. Labbé.
Motion passed.
- Ontario Steward Council (“OSC”) – B. Brawley
B. Brawley is the Chair and R. Kaura is the Vice-Chair for the 2025 OSC.
2025 OSC:
Draft Agenda for the 2025 OSC was discussed. Topic of potential guest speakers was discussed. Breakout sessions are being planned. $XX,XXX is available for guest speakers subject to approval by PIPSC Finance per Policy on Institute Regions.
The process of choosing a recipient for the Steward of the Year award was discussed. Logistics of choosing Steward of the Year Award will be provided to PIPSC Regions from the National PIPSC level. PIPSC Ontario Region determines the process for choosing a recipient of the Glen Maxwell Award.
Representative from the Office of PIPSC President advised that the President may not be able to attend OSC due to scheduling conflicts with other Regional Councils.
Treasurer to explore PIPSC branded items for OSC. Budget for PIPSC branded item was discussed. 200 items are budgeted.
2026 OSC
Discussed changing scheduling of Training Committee and ORE meetings during 2026 OSC to allow PIPSC BOD to attend and connect with members at OSC.
ACTION ITEM: J. Purdie to propose to PIPSC BOD to conduct a meeting in Ontario Region to coincide with 2026 OSC.
- Director’s Report – J. Purdie
J. Purdie attended Annual General Meetings (“AGM”) for the Simcoe-Grey, Sault Ste Marie, GTA, London and Sudbury Branches. Reminder to ask Branch Presidents to invite Ontario Region Director to their AGM to provide updates to members and answer questions.
- Planning Document – J. Purdie
Planning Document was updated by ORE.
- New Business
- Sponsorship Request – J. Purdie
Discussed a request from a PIPSC Ontario Region member to sponsor a sporting event in support of mental health.
ii. BOD invite 2026 – J. Purdie
J. Purdie to propose to PIPSC BOD to conduct a meeting in Ontario Region to coincide with 2026 OSC.
- Round Table
R. Kaura: Welcomed new members.
D. Kamaldin: Welcomed new members.
T. MacDonald: Welcomed new members. Thanked new members for joining ORE.
F. Akol: Interested in taking more photos of Ontario Region events and initiatives.
B. Brawley: Welcomed new members.
M. Horn: Thanked ORE.
S. Labbé: Thanked ORE for the opportunity to be Secretary for the past 2 years.
H. Timla: Attending July 28, 2025, meeting virtually. Requested Zoom link and videoconference (i.e. Owl) to be able to take Minutes remotely.
T. Yantsis: Welcomed new members.
J. Purdie: Highlighted different perspectives of ORE members. Thanked new and returning ORE members.
Meeting Adjourned.