Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group Elections
Call for Nominations 2019
Call for nominations to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group Executive
• This election is for the three (3) Members-at-Large from outside the National Capital Region and for the one (1) Atlantic Region, the one (1) Ontario Region and the one (1) National Capital Region representatives
As stated in Regulation R6.3.1 of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group Constitution and By-Laws, in 2019, elections for the group executive will be held for the three (3) Members-at-Large from outside the National Capital Region and for the one (1) Atlantic Region, the one (1) Ontario Region and the one (1) National Capital Region representatives . As also stated in By-Law 7 ELECTIONS, 7.2.3 state that nominations must be supported by at least five (5) regular members of the Group and the nominee must indicate a willingness to serve if elected, 7.2.4 state that the Elections Committee shall scrutinize the nominations for eligibility and, if necessary, arrange for ballots to be distributed to all members eligible to vote in the election and 7.4.1 state that because all members of the Group Executive are required to consult with the employer on behalf of the members, then, to be a candidate or remain as a group executive member, the member must be or become a steward.
The Elections Committee calls on all interested members to put their names forward to sit on the Group Executive. As stated at 6.3 Term of Office, the term of office shall be three (3) years. The aim of the Group shall be to further the professional interests of its members; to protect the status and standards of their professions; to formulate and express the views of the members on matters affecting them, and to ensure that the interests of the Group are represented in all proceedings of the employer and of the Institute that may affect the Group. The Group Executive shall speak for the Group in dealing with the Institute.
Please be sure to thoroughly review and to respect the Group Elections Code of Conduct.
Interested applicants must complete the attached nomination form and return it to Monica Seguin by close of business, October 16, 2019. In the event that insufficient nominations are received to fill the vacancies, the Elections Committee shall attempt to obtain the names of additional persons willing and able to serve sufficient to fill the remaining vacancies. If none are forthcoming, the Executive may appoint someone to that position
The PIPSC National Elections Committee will act as the, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group Elections Committee for this election.
Gordon Bulmer – Committee Chair
Accessible HTML version of the form
Elections Code of Conduct
1. Introduction
The following code of conduct applies to all Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group members for all Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group National Executive elections and is meant to add to, not in any way limit, existing PIPSC election conduct rules.
2. Elections Committee
As per Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group By-Law 7.1, the Elections Committee shall be responsible for the conduct of elections for Officers according to the By-Laws and Regulations of the Institute and shall adopt such administrative procedures as may be necessary to conduct that election. The Elections Committee shall also:
1. scrutinize all candidate résumés for accuracy, negative campaigning and / or other compliance with the Elections Code of Conduct insofar as is practical,
And
2. fully investigate and rule on the propriety of any election activity undertaken by a candidate or those acting on behalf of the candidate. Upon finding such activity to be improper or inappropriate, the Committee shall take such corrective action as it deems necessary. Corrective action includes, but is not limited to:
(i) declaring the election, or any candidacy in such election to be null and void;
(ii) removal of the right to vote in that election
3. Complaints
https://www.pipsc.ca/about/governance/elections-information/complaints-process
4. Elections Appeals
Within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of any such decision of the Elections Committee, any party directly affected by the complaint may submit an appeal of the decision to the PIPSC Election Appeals Committee to determine whether the Elections Committee has acted within its mandate in rendering such a decision.
The PIPSC Elections Appeals Committee shall acknowledge receipt of the appeal, within seventy-two (72) hours. All members of the PIPSC Elections Appeal Committee must, unless in a conflict of interest, participate in the deliberation and decision.
The PIPSC Elections Appeals Committee shall conduct the necessary investigation and render its decision within seven (7) days of receipt of the appeal. The appellant shall have the right to present his case to the PIPSC Elections Appeals Committee via electronic means. The decision of the PIPSC Elections Appeals Committee shall be final and binding. The PIPSC Elections Appeals Committee will convey the decision to the Appellant and inform the Elections Committee who will follow-up, if need be.
5. Résumés
Candidates are required to submit a brief résumé in specified electronic format, of their experience and objectives (maximum 200 words in either official language) with their completed nomination form. Résumés must not contain statements made against the character of a candidate; or any statements that are, in the opinion of the Elections Committee, false, misleading, or unsubstantiated in their representation of a candidate, PIPSC or any of its constituent bodies, stewards, employees, executive members or other representatives. It is the responsibility of candidates to review their résumés before they are submitted and after they are posted.
Résumés will be changed under any of the following circumstances:
• The change was received prior to the date and time fixed for receipt of nominations.
• The change was made by the Group Elections Committee for accuracy, negative campaigning and / or other compliance with the Elections Code of Conduct.
Résumés will not be changed to:
• Correct grammar.
• Add or remove information, unless the change was made by the Elections Committee.
Except as noted above, résumés will be posted as submitted by the candidates with the following exceptions:
• Only titles may be bolded, underlined or italicized
• When making reference to participation in Institute Committees, Constituent Bodies and/or Working Groups, candidates must specify the position held and provide beginning and end dates.
6. Campaigning at PIPSC Events
Candidates may not campaign in any manner while any PIPSC events are in session. Limited campaign activities (personal discussions or literature distribution) are permissible during breaks or social portions (meals or hospitality) of PIPSC events.
7. Endorsements
PIPSC election rules apply.
8. Logos and Acronyms
PIPSC election rules apply.
9. Use of Employer Email and / or Resources
PIPSC election rules apply.
10. Use of PIPSC Membership Lists / Resources
PIPSC election rules apply.
11. Negative Campaigning
Negative campaigning does not provide useful information for voters to determine who they should support, and it creates unwarranted damage to the members’ confidence in PIPSC and in unions in general. The Elections Committee has the mandate to review negative campaigning and will take appropriate action, if warranted. Negative campaigning includes statements made against the character of a candidate; or any statements that are, in the opinion of the Elections Committee, false, misleading, or unsubstantiated in their representation of a candidate, PIPSC or any of its constituent bodies, stewards, employees, executive members or other representatives. Candidates or their supporters may be required to provide evidence or arguments in defense of an allegation of negative campaigning.
The Group Elections Committee will determine if the statement was, in fact, negative campaigning.
12. Online Voting
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group members may access the PIPSC website for voting from work via their own laptop, standalone computer or kiosks; from home; or at public libraries, Internet cafes, and etcetera. If there are any individuals who cannot access the Internet by any of the above means, then they should contact the Elections Committee for assistance.
13. Voting
It is unacceptable to offer incentives for voting in Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group elections. Once a Canadian Food Inspection Agency Scientific and Analytical Group member has placed a vote, it may not in any way be revoked, altered or in any way changed. Voting breakdowns by office or region will not be provided. Voting results by candidates will be published on the PIPSC website.
14. “Do Not Contact” List
PIPSC election rules apply.
15. Social Media Usage Policy
a. All existing PIPSC By-Laws, Regulations and Policies relating to ethics and professional behavior expected from an Institute member are applicable to the users of social media. It is extremely important for all to maintain professional ethics during election campaign periods.
b. The Institute expects all members to engage respectfully in social media exchanges and conduct themselves in accordance with the Institute’s Social Media Usage Policy. Please refer to the policy in detail.
c. The creation of a social media account that may reasonably be perceived as being operated by or on behalf of the Institute is prohibited unless otherwise explicitly authorized by the Institute.
d. The Institute reserves the right to monitor postings made, and request alteration or removal of content posted in relation to its accounts if needed.
e. Misuse of social media platforms can, in certain circumstances, constitute a criminal offence, give rise to legal action against members or the Institute, lead to workplace investigations or discipline, or constitute misconduct as defined in the Institute’s By-Laws.
f. Institute members are free to use social media to exercise their freedom of expression. In doing so, however, they must always be mindful of their obligations to respect others and of their duty of loyalty to their employer.
g. The following is intended to provide candidates, their supporters and all Institute members with an outline on how to best use social media professionally and without violating professional ethics.
i. Extracted directly from the PIPSC policy:
1. Posted content must not violate any laws or encourage or suggest illegal activities;
2. Comply with the terms of use established by the various social media platforms you are using;
3. Do not post materials that may be considered racist, hateful, sexist, homophobic, defamatory, abusive or threatening, humiliating or belittling;
4. Be honest and open, but be mindful of the impact your contribution might make to people’s perceptions of the Institute;
5. Never disclose sensitive, private or confidential information on social media;
6. Make every effort to ensure the information you are posting is accurate;
7. Do not post, upload, forward or post a link to chain mail, junk mail or facilitate “spamming”;
8. Make use of social media on your own time and with your own resources, not the employer’s;
9. Do not post aggressive, vulgar, violent, obscene or pornographic content;
10. Ensure you have the Institute’s permission before using its proprietary information (logos, slogans, graphic designs, etcetera);
11. Except as authorized by the Institute, do not use social media for the purposes of advertising or solicitation for financial benefits.
ii. Additional direction from the Elections Committee:
1. Always be respectful, polite and considerate when disagreeing with any ideas or proposals from a fellow member whether a candidate or not;
2. Always be guided by professional principles, integrity, objectivity, professional competence, due care and confidentiality;
3. Do not post photos or videos, which could be interpreted as an endorsement by PIPSC;
4. Do not post or engage in discussions on election issues anonymously or use another user’s name;
5. Do not post any internal private and/or personal matters relating to a member;
6. Do not mention your or any other users’ personal coordinates in the body of your postings unless permission is granted;
7. Do not post material that promotes or advertises commercial product or solicit business or financial support for an election campaign;
8. Do not allow any other person, whether a PIPSC member or not, to use your identification.
h. The Elections Committee expects the highest degree of professional standards and ethical compliance from Institute members and users of social media including during an election campaign. When faced with any question or doubt about infringing on ethical values, then do not post it. Act professionally.
16. Candidates are responsible for actions of their supporters.
17. Any non-compliance with the above code of conduct will result in corrective action