Ottawa Area Council
May 8 2024
Virtual
List of Attendees
| Name | Role | Credentials |
| Ruth Lau MacDonald | Chair | UHEW 70713 |
| Jade Conrad | Treasurer | GSU 70017 |
| Jean-Michel Riel | Director | GSU Component Delegate |
| Gordon Marshall | Director | USJE 70165 |
| Sonia O’Brien-Colterman | Director | USJE Component Delegate |
| Ryan Ward | Alternate Director | UTE 700000 |
| Karen Kenniphaas | Delegate | MDAC Delegate |
| Burcu Gurkan | Delegate | ORWC Delegate |
| Gilles Lavigne | Delegate | RHSC Delegate |
| Sandrine Oka | Delegate | CRFF Delegate |
| Shawn King | Delegate | UNDE Component Delegate |
| Cristina Machado | Delegate | USJE 70005 |
| Addison Herman | Delegate | CEIU 630 |
| Steve Colterman | Delegate | GSU 700190 |
| Will Tait | Delegate | GSU 70013 |
| Leah Dauphinee | Delegate | CEIU 630 |
| Beverly Brown | Delegate | UNE 70181 |
| Christian Smith | Delegate | GSU 70019 |
| Irene Georgieva | Delegate | GSU 70013 |
| Yves Cadieux | Delegate | UHEW 70028 |
| Holly Trojan | Delegate | UNDE 70605 |
| Sharon Odell | Delegate | DCL NGC70397 |
| Beverly Brown | Delegate | 70181 |
Regrets: Jacqueline Lee (OAC Secretary)
Staff: Chelsea Flook
Guests: N/A
| Minutes | ||
| 5:30 PM | Open Meeting By Consensus – Approval of Agenda Yes Attendance: Please put your member # and component in your meeting name (as displayed by Zoom) If you are an observer, please put that at the start of your name. Ex: Observer – Some One | Chair |
| 5:35 PM | Motion to approve the Meeting Minutes from the April 10th meeting of the OAC Motioned: Jade Seconded: Gordon Passed: Yes | Chair |
| 5:40 PM | Treasurer’s Report New regional reimbursement processSingle form sent through Treasurer – still a long time to pay out.3 year budget planningDraft budget 25-27 by Sept.Current OAC balances – $28 270.94 remaining Gilles asked about cost of First Aid – already paid out Karen asked about budget for rest of year – Jade has plans for June budget meeting. | Jade Conrad |
| 5:55 PM | Chair’s Report The REVP has worked in collaboration with PSAC Conferences to secure 10 day passes for observers to attend national convention free of charge. OAC/PSAC-NCR will not cover costs associated with attending (milage, meals, salary, etc.). Members can attend one day of convention using a pass, they are available on a first-come first-served basis. You will not be able to use a day pass for multiple days – this is intended as a learning opportunity for PSAC-NCR members who want to know more about what convention looks like. Karen – is it for any one day or just a particular day? Ruth – only barrier is that there are only 10 for each day. Karen – says check the agenda to make sure it is what you want. Jade – wants to know why no reservation Ruth – because it is a pilot project and it is about capacity. Karen – RTO protest at convention will other non-attendees be informed? Chelsea – no plans as of yet. Ruth – asked to be reminded about this when convention will be happening. Gilles – will know 24 hours in advance and will let all of us know. Discussion of RTO and Strategy Ruth is talking about the press conference – we should be talking about opportunities for the actions this summer. Chelsea – survey about certain actions can be separated across regions and further planning can be arranged. Ask members to complete survey. Need responses to formulate plans. Outlining what has happened so far. CAPE rally May 15th 12 to 1 – PSAC has not decided support levels. Phone campaign? Questions Gilles – Survey questions about survey link. Jade explains that this is normal. Burcu – proposes encouraging people to do direct action – request ergonomic assessments across the NCR. Make it cost a lot to make this happen – ergonomic equipment must be for individuals – one day all go to work and make it very direct. Grievances for everything – complaints to management. Ruth – there will be a day where everyone goes to work. Addison – was it intentional that the survey didn’t ask for contact information – why aren’t we making a list. Chelsea – survey was supposed to provide the data. Addison says not data is taken – Gilles says it is possible. Ruth – National has missed the opportunity to make a list of activists. This is not owned by the Region – is the send a letter to TBS collecting data? Addison – snail mail campaign at local level. Ryan – hoping the ergonomic campaign could be effective. He is promoting filing telework agreements – accommodations – etc goes to senior leadership. CRA has closed Heron Road building also closing 2 offices downtown. Karen – legal standard for DTA is incredibly high. Very little understanding of accommodation. Does not support overwhelming process – instead boycott everything hear work. Ruth – explaining personal situation with DTA. Burden on healthcare system. Chelsea – explaining why the survey is important – what does the summer of discontent really mean? What does this really mean – logistics. Ruth – asks for support from NCR Chairs to pressure Alex to make space for this at the NCR Council meeting. Holly – talking about experience at DND in Gatineau and mass changes to workspaces her unit reduced from 6 floors to 2 and so on. Manager is not in Gatineau. Structural changes are impacting every one – food service is not keeping up with demand for even current situation. Ruth – TikTok campaign TBS math – Make this make sense. Christian – OHS committees will be a space to fight this. Ask questions about safety and evacuation. Ruth – supports Christian’s ideas about OHS. Gilles – general emails – everyone has LROs that should be able to come up with common language. Motion 1. Be it resolved that the OAC approve spending of up to $500 to provide a light meal/refreshments to members of the sub-committee when meeting in-person to plan direct action on RTO over the next 4 months. Moved: Ryan Ward Seconded: Burcu Gurkan Motion Passed: Yes Motion 2. Be it resolved that the OAC approves spending of up to $5,000 associated with PSAC-NCR’s direct action related to RTO ahead of September 9th Moved Ryan Ward Seconded Jade Conrad Motion Passed: Yes Recap of events Day of Mourning Ceremony (April 28th)Larger numbers than ever – thanked GillesMay Day Picnic (May 4th)Red Dress Day (May 5th) – looking at update Looking Ahead Defend Choice Ottawa Rally (May 9th) – sends busloads of highschool students for an anti-choice rally – Defend choice will host rally 12 to 1 May 9thNCR First Aid Training (May 11th) – 12 people signed up – Christian says that he already has training – maybe a callout for people who already have training to list-build for the region.NCR Council Executive Meeting (May 13th) – will talk to Alex about what we can do for RTORainbow Week of Action Rally (May 17th) OAC/RO/Pride support printing banners and posters – solidarity with queer and trans people.Stop the Kemptville Prison: Chili cookoff fundraiser (May 23rd)PSAC National Convention (May 27-31st)NCR Council AGM (June 8-9th)NCR Council Training/Retreat (June 14-15th) Call for Supporters We are looking to establish a group of members who can serve as marshals and/or first-aiders at the May 17th rally for Queer and Trans Rights. A special meeting will be held to discuss safety planning, roles and responsibilities, and other logistics ahead of May 17th JADE – Access support is also necessary (if you need help in the event of an evacuation). Motion 3. Be it resolved that the OAC approve the Chair’s expenditure, pursuant to REGULATION 4 – PSAC NCRC FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES of $223.21 to support the U Ottawa student Divestment & Gaza Solidarity Encampment. Moved: Gordon Marshall Seconded: Burcu Gurkan Motion Passed: Yes Motion 4. Be it resolved that the OAC approve the donation of $500 to support Momentum Canada’s Rainbow Week of Action. Moved: Gordon Marshall Seconded: Christian Smith Motion Passed: Yes Motion 5. Be it resolved that the OAC approve spending of up to $200 for supplies related to the Rainbow Week of Action rally in Ottawa on May 17th – the total amount for supplies will be cost-shared with the NCR Pride Committee, OAC will contribute up to $200. Moved: Burcu Gurkan Seconded: Gordon Marshall Motion Passed: Yes Motion 6. Be it resolved that the OAC approve the purchase (up to $1,000) of a button maker and button making supplies so that the Council can produce it’s own swag for community events. (Ref: https://www.macaron.ca/equip_en/html/maca_machine.html) Moved: Burcu Gurkan Seconded: Gilles Lavine Motion Passed: Yes | Ruth |
| 6:00 PM | Capital Pride Sub-Committee Work in collaboration with members of the NCR Pride Committee to plan PSAC-NCR’s participation in the Pride ParadeBook the float, register with Capital Pride, develop promotional materials and communications pieces for the event, organize the PSAC-NCR delegation (ensure first aiders and marshals), etc. Time commitment: 3-6 planning meetings between now and Capital Pride on August 25th 2-8 hrs/week depending on tasks you sign up for Motion 7 Be it resolved that the OAC approve spending of up to $500 to provide a light meal/refreshments to members of the sub-committee when meeting in-person to plan the pride parade over the next 4 months. Be it further resolved that the OAC approves spending of up to $3,500 on services and equipment associated with PSAC-NCR’s participation in the Capital Pride Parade on Augusts 25th 2024 Moved Jade Conrad Seconded Gilles Lavine Motion Passed: Yes | Chair |
| 6:30 PM | Labour Day Sub-Committee Work in collaboration with other members of NCR Committees to plan PSAC-NCR’s participation in the Labour Day ParadeOrganize logistics, work with the Ottawa District Labour Council, plan communications and social media content, etc. Time commitment: 3-6 planning meetings between now and Labour Day on Monday September 2nd 2-8 hrs/week depending on tasks you sign up for Motion 8 Be it resolved that the OAC approve spending of up to $500 to provide a light meal/refreshments to members of the sub-committee when meeting in-person to plan for Labour Day over the next 4 months. Be it further resolved that the OAC approves spending of up to $3,000 on services and equipment associated with PSAC-NCR’s participation in the Labour Day March and Community Picnic Moved Gordon Marshall Seconded Burcu Gurkan Motion Passed: Yes | Chair |
| 7:15 PM | Open Floor – CFRR Chair has asked for time to make a motion – Add motion later but it is a motion to demand support to end arms sales demand an end to attacks and conduct member education. EMREGENCY RESOLUTION – NATIONAL CONVENTION TITLE: Palestinian Human Rights Originator: Ottawa Area Council Language of Origin: English The PSAC WILL Demand the Canadian government impose an arms embargo on Israel and support South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ;Conduct member education, in collaboration with IJV and L4P, on the history of Israel’s occupation and colonization of Palestine, Canada’s complicity and labour’s role to support a just peace. BECAUSE: In 2012, PSAC supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign;Collective punishment of the people of Gaza is a clear violation of Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention;The Canadian government support Israel’s siege and indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, resulting in the murder of over 40,000 Palestinians, half of whom are children;Palestinian unions issued a global call for unions to act to end all complicity, and to stop governments from arming Israel; andThe precondition for just and lasting peace is for Israel to end the occupation and adhere to international law. Debate Burcu – not the regular language – Ruth says it follows a simplified method. Motion will be retitled as being from OAC Retitled as OAC being Originator Moved: Burcu Gurkan Seconded: Christian Smith Motion Passed: Yes Jade – event on May14th IAC and Pride – 2spirit LGBTQ awareness – Alicia Campbell will be speaking on it. | All |
| 7:28 PM | Meeting Adjourned | Thank you! |
Motions summary
| Motion | Movers | Passed Y/N |
| Motion to approve the Meeting Minutes from the April 10th meeting of the OAC. | Motioned: Jade Conrad Seconded: Gordon Marshall | Yes |
| Motion for $500 for light meals for RTO sub-committee over the next 4 months. | Motioned: Ryan Ward Seconded: Burcu Gurkan | Yes |
| Motion to spend up to $5000 for PSAC direct actions. | Motioned: Ryan Ward Seconded: Jade Conrad | Yes |
| Be it resolved that the OAC approve the Chair’s expenditure, pursuant to REGULATION 4 – PSAC NCRC FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES of $223.21 to support the U Ottawa student Divestment & Gaza Solidarity Encampment. | Motioned: Ryan Ward Seconded: Burcu Gurkan | Yes |
| Be it resolved that the OAC approve the donation of $500 to support Momentum Canada’s Rainbow Week of Action. | Motioned: Gordon Marshall Seconded: Christian Smith | Yes |
| Be it resolved that the OAC approve spending of up to $200 for supplies related to the Rainbow Week of Action rally in Ottawa on May 17th – the total amount for supplies will be cost-shared with the NCR Pride Committee, OAC will contribute up to $200. | Motioned: Burcu Gurkan Seconded: Gordon Marshall | Yes |
| Be it resolved that the OAC approve the purchase (up to $1,000) of a button maker and button making supplies so that the Council can produce it’s own swag for community events. (Ref: https://www.macaron.ca/equip_en/html/maca_machine.html) | Motioned: Burcu Gurkan Seconded: Gilles Lavine | Yes |
| Be it resolved that the OAC approve spending of up to $500 to provide a light meal/refreshments to members of the sub-committee when meeting in-person to plan the pride parade over the next 4 months. Be it further resolved that the OAC approves spending of up to $3,500 on services and equipment associated with PSAC-NCR’s participation in the Capital Pride Parade on Augusts 25th 2024 | Motioned: Jade Conrad Seconded: Gilles Lavine | Yes |
| Be it resolved that the OAC approve spending of up to $500 to provide a light meal/refreshments to members of the sub-committee when meeting in-person to plan for Labour Day over the next 4 months Be it further resolved that the OAC approves spending of up to $3,000 on services and equipment associated with PSAC-NCR’s participation in the Labour Day March and Community Picnic | Motioned: Gordon Marshall Seconded: Burcu Gurkan | Yes |
| 1. Demand the Canadian government impose an arms embargo on Israel and support South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ; 2. Conduct member education, in collaboration with IJV and L4P, on the history of Israel’s occupation and colonization of Palestine, Canada’s complicity and labour’s role to support a just peace. | Motioned: Burcu Gurkan Seconded: Christian Smith | Yes |
Action Items
| Action Item – email on Monday to confirm action item | Person(s) responsible |
| Create Direct Action/RTO Committee | Gordon |
| Create Pride Committee | Sonia |
| Create Labour Day Committee | Jade/J-M |
Want to get in touch between meetings? Email us: oac-cro@psac-afpc.com