The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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Ontario Region Executive - Minutes, February 1st, 2025

Hyatt Mississauga Centre

Present: J. Purdie, C. L’Estrange, T. Yantsis, B. Brawley, T. MacDonald, S. Labbé, H. Timla, 

T. Zaharopoulos, S. Asif

Regrets: D. Kamaldin, R. Kaura

Meeting called to Order at 9:12 am

  1. Opening Remarks 

Director acknowledged land that we met on and welcomed ORE.  

  1. Approval of Agenda 

Motion to approve Agenda as presented. Consensus

  1. Approval of Minutes 

Motion to approve December 14, 2024, ORE meeting Minutes. Consensus

  1. Matters Arising / Tracking Report – John 

Discussion surrounding each action item. Concur “How to” video has been requested by the BoD. Legacy Foundation would like to recognise laureates.

  1. Treasurer’s Report – Tom Y. 

Treasurer reviewed financial situation and current expenditures in his Treasurer’s report. Be mindful regarding swag and hospitality. Treasurer training requests should be directed to Finance Committee representatives.

Motion to approve the financials as presented by the Treasurer. Consensus

Action: Tina to draft a Treasurer Training memo to be reviewed by John, to be passed down to Branch President.

  1. Committee Reports 
    1. BOD COMMITTEES 
      1. PRQC –  no committee was formed
      2. BLPC – Sabrina

First meeting is planned for a day and a half to include training as all members, except 1 member, are new. Date proposed is April 7 & 8th, awaiting approval.

  1. Finance – John

Jonathan Nesher was selected. No report was requested. First meeting Feb 14.

  1. HRDC – Harry

Chair is VP Francis and first meeting will be held virtually. In-person meeting schedule is being discussed

  1. ITSP – Dora Scarling

First meeting has no occurred yet, no report to submit.

  1. SA – Foster Scott

Scott Foster was selected. No report was requested.

  1. National Training – Bridget 

Action: BLPC rep (Sabrina) bring forth comment where policy has not addressed gap in time between Team representative being selected after ORC elections and strategic meeting held by region. BoD Committee is a calendar year position.

  1. Election – Tim Azab 

First meeting has no occurred yet, no report to submit.

  1. Election Appeals – Sahra

First meeting has no occurred yet, no report to submit.

  1. ORE COMMITTEES / Liaison 
    1. Training Committee – Bridget 

Steward training is upcoming. Assigning seats is per policy (earliest appliers, 2024 appliers, priorities). Looking to offer a third basic during one of the labour schools. Labour school offers 3 modules, so one of the schools could be 2 modules + 1 basic. Health & Safety was very popular, +80 applicants for 20 seats. Ensure that stewards are supported after training, mentorship and ongoing training. National Steward Officer role should encompass this support.

Action: Training Chair (Bridget) to provide John the waiting list of Basic & Advance prior to next BoD Meeting.

Due date Feb 19, 2025.

  1. By-law & Policy – Sabrina

Evergreen document is up to date. 

  1. Visibility Mobilization – Sabrina & Harry

Black History Month, Black leaders within PIPSC, PIPSC Black Caucus Chairs (Din & Jennie). Din is favourable, waiting on Jennie’s response. Method to highlight: FB posts with photos, include a bio, QA, etc.

Toronto Pride Parade registration is open.  Parade is Saturday June 29th with mandatory parade training June 11th. Costs to be incurred if we participate: registration for 100 marchers is $X,XXX; shirts $XX-XX; Pride banner; light meal/snack. Reached out to Catherine Gagnon from PIPSC as she has been the lead in the past. Responded that PIPSC is still undergoing reorg but she will get back to me as soon as she can. BT would not be sufficient to cover full cost.

Will reach out to Din about Labour Day to get planning started. Poster and most planning done as we will maintain what has worked well from past 2 events.

Action: HRDC rep (Harry) to speak about Ontario’s participation in Toronto Pride Parade.

  1. Ontario Provincial Group – Tina 

Many groups are going through negotiations and conciliation, 4 groups are into negotiation because of Bill 124. OFL, of which Tina voting member, is taking part in strategizing for upcoming provincial election. Looking at how they would like to see the elections pan out. OFL is concerned about US tariffs. Overall positive sentiments of group members.

  1. Young Professionals – Rachit 

Preliminary planning on Hamilton event has commenced.

  1. Branch Liaison – Tina 

Branch Presidents would really like to obtain membership lists that include personal emails. Discussion surrounding efficient communication by PIPSC.

  1. Legacy Foundation – Chris 

Would like to give a short presentation at ORC of the 2024 laureates. Acknowledge 2024 & 2025 laureates to be invited to 2025 OSC.

  1. Regional Council – Tom Z & Harry T

Delegate communications will be done by Heather. Membership count discussion. 128 delegates. ORC planning discussion and draft agenda reviewed. Elder tithe and gift discussion. ORC hosting 2-night hospitality, we are permitted to use $XX per member, as per policy. Hospitality Committee discussion. Swag discussion results in selection of neck massager to be purchased.

Thursday Hockey Night game and transportation discussion. BT submission to be submitted to cover bus. Ticket purchases will be member responsibility, but Tom Y will organise.  Discussed delegate team building games: bingo and perfect square or human knot. Both are 20 minutes long and are communication-based games. Winning team will get t-shirts. Will provide delegates with branded sleeping mask, work done by Tina. 

  1. Steward Council – Bridget 

For March meeting, OSC draft will be prepped. 

  1. Director’s Report – John 

Replacement of NCR Director (Keelia Lafrenière stepped down). Membership outreach in all regions, once every 3 years. John would send out invite to BoD and thinks best to coordinate invite with major event (OSC or ORC). Steward in waiting initiatives underway. Doug Mason’s father passed away. A memorial in Barrie will be held February 15, 2025. ORE to send Sabrina as representative baring card and flowers or donation, as per policy. General Council, Marie-Helene Tougas, was permanently hired. 

  1. ORE Goals & Objectives – John 

Discussion surrounding each action item.

  1. Calendar of Activities – John

Strategic planning meeting. Follow up with Heather for update on dates.

  1. New Business 
    1. Rand posting – John

Rand cheat sheet, use Atlantic.

  1. Round Table 

Sahra - nothing

Sabrina - nothing

Tom Y - reach out to organise the hockey game

Tom Z - nothing

Harry - reach out to past election chair for sharing of past experiences

Tina - nothing

Bridget - nothing

Chris - nothing

John - Meet & greet details

Meeting adjourned at 5:17 pm

Published on 21 October 2025