Convention 2023 Minutes

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Minutes of the OPSEU/SEFPO Convention 2023, April 20-22, 2023, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto

Wednesday, April 20 – Morning Session

The Indigenous Circle was welcomed to the stage.

President JP Hornick and First Vice President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell were introduced to Convention 2023.

The President welcomed all delegates, alternates, observers, and guests to Convention.

Call to Order

President JP Hornick, called the Convention to order at 9:28 a.m.

President JP Hornick provides a land acknowledgement.

Chief Laforme and Elder LaValley were welcomed to open Convention 2023.

The Circle of Cedar Singers were invited forwarded for their warrior drum song titled “A.I.M. Song for American Indian Movement”.

Andria Babbington, Toronto and York Region Labour Council President was welcomed to stage to speak.

National anthem – video played.

Statement of Respect – video played.

President JP Hornick referred members and staff to where the names and contact information are for Advisors if feeling harassed or discriminated against. Staff are also able to assist, and they are wearing blue badges with ribbons that say “staff”.

Moment of silence for staff that have passed away since the last Convention.

Minute of silence is observed.

Gord Longhi, the President of ASU – the Administrative Staff Union and Lois Boggs, President of OPSSU – the Ontario Public Service Staff Union were introduced. All OPSEU/SEFPO staff were welcomed to Convention and thanked for all their hard work, along with those not physically there and working behind the scenes out of all the offices.

President JP Hornick took a moment to promote the Healthcare Professionals rally that was taking place at Queen’s Park at 12:30.

A video, including announcements, reminders, and safety information was played.

President JP Hornick spoke about the new app for voting and invited the Audio-Visual company, Data on the Spot to give a short tutorial on the electronic voting process.

Credentials Committee Report

Moved by: Angela Lockhurst, L590 / Seconded by: Cynthia Ladouceur, L439

- Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of 9:26 a.m.

Delegates in Person	905
Delegates Virtual	37
Alternates in Person	447
Alternates Virtual	240
Observers EBM Solidarity Guests Guests	155 20 19 8
Total	1831

Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report CARRIED

Day 1 “Organize” Video played.

Section A – Convention Agenda

Moved by: JP Hornick, L556 / Seconded by: Laurie Nancekivell, L116

- Adoption of the Convention Agenda as distributed.

Vote on adoption of the Agenda CARRIED

Section B – Minutes of Last Convention 2022

Moved by: Drew Finucane, L219 / Seconded by: Lucy Morton, L269

- Adoption of the Minutes of Convention 2022 as printed in Section B.

Vote on adoption of 2022 Convention Minutes CARRIED

President’s Address

President JP Hornick addressed the Convention and spoke about how important it is to build solidarity and to work together to transform our union. JP affirmed that we need to do the work to fundamentally change how we conduct ourselves as a union, how Ontarian’s see us, it is also important how they engage with us, and how we engage with each other in order to make meaningful change in the lives of Ontarians. This process has already started and is going to continue in the future.

First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell in the Chair.

Report: Financials-Auditors

Section C – Audited Financial Statements and Notes

Section F – Report on Remuneration

First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell invited the external auditor Joe Bates from MNP, up to the stage to present the Financial Statements of 2022.

Joe Bates presented the Financial Statement audit for the year-end, 2022 Financial Statements.

Questions were taken from the floor and virtual platform.

President JP Hornick in the Chair.

Resolutions Committee invited up on stage. While they were coming up President JP Hornick introduced the head table.

President JP Hornick introduced the head table:

Jarrelle Johnson, Backup Recording Secretary
Karlene Henry, Recording Secretary
Nicole Glass, Recording Secretary
Alison Neilson-Jones, Procedural Advisor
Cheri Hearty, Procedural Advisor
Barb Byers, Rules of Order Advisor

Statutory Resolution A1

Submitted by: Executive Board

Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE

Moved by: Kimberly Kazur, L665 / Seconded by: Jody Tsubouchi, L710

Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO take all necessary steps to file articles of continuance or such other applications as are required to continue the corporation as a non-profit corporation under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act in accordance with the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution and by-laws;

Be it further resolved that the Executive Board refer constitutional amendments to the Constitutional Committee to amend references to the Corporations Act to refer to the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, and to add to the history of OPSEU/SEFPO contained in the preamble of the Constitution;

Be it further resolved that the Executive Board refer the following resolution to Convention:

Whereas OPSEU/SEFPO was incorporated in 1927 as a corporation without

share capital under part III of the Ontario Corporations Act (OCA); and

Whereas the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (“ONCA”) came into force

in October 2021, replacing the OCA as the legislation that governs OPSEU/SEFPO as a non-profit corporation operating in Ontario; and

Whereas the ONCA requires OPSEU/SEFPO and other non-profit corporations to file articles of continuance in order to continue as a non-profit corporation with its existing Constitution and by-laws.

Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO take all necessary steps to file articles of continuance or such other applications as are required to continue the corporation as a non-profit corporation under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act in accordance with the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution and by-laws.

Vote on Statutory Resolution A1 CARRIED

Statutory Resolution A2

Submitted by: Executive Board

Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE

Moved by: Kimberly Kazur, L665 / Seconded by: Jody Tsubouchi, L710

Therefore be it resolved that the Executive Board refer the following statutory resolution to Convention, in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act:

Be it further resolved that as required by s 17 of the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, Convention confirms and approves the actions of the Executive Board that created or amended a bylaw of OPSEU/SEFPO, as reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board from the closing of the last Convention until the closing of this Convention.

Vote on Statutory Resolution A2 CARRIED

Convention recessed at 12:00 p.m.

Section D – Budget 2023

Laurie Nancekivell, First Vice-President/Treasurer, presented the budget on behalf of the Executive Board. Sharon Deaves, Administrator of Financial Services and Art Slade, Supervisor of Accounting and Payroll were in attendance to present the budget.

Moved by: Laurie Nancekivell, L116 / Seconded by: JP Hornick, L556

- Adoption of the 2023 Budget as printed in Section D.

Credentials Committee Report

Moved by: Michele Morrison, L222 / Seconded by: Philip Cooze, L711

- Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of 1:45 p.m.

Delegates in Person	931
Delegates Virtual	76
Alternates in Person	472
Alternates Virtual	55
Observers Observers Virtual EBM Solidarity Guests Guests	166 52 21 35 12
Total	1820

Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report CARRIED

The question was called on the budget as presented.

Questions were taken from the floor and virtual platform.

A motion of closure was made, and the Chair ruled it out of order as the order of microphones needs to be followed.

Moved by: Betty Palmieri, L206 / Seconded by: Robert Holder, L243

- The debate be tabled until tomorrow morning at 9:45a.m. for the delegation to continue discussion.

Vote on tabling debate of the budget DEFEATED

Order was called that it is only a simple majority required to table and the vote should have carried.

The Chair ruled the defeated vote stands.

Moved by: Gino Franche, L130 / Seconded by: Kevin Sprague, L130 – Challenge the Chair

First Vice President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell in the Chair

The decision of the Chair that the vote on tabling the debate of the budget was defeated is withdrawn. The tabling of the budget debate now CARRIES.

Tabling the debate of the budget CARRIED

President JP Hornick in the Chair

President JP Hornick introduced Keynote speaker Laura Walton – President of CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU)

CUPE-OSBCU President Laura Walton spoke to Convention about how important it is for education workers from both OPSEU/SEFPO and CUPE-OSBCU, along with all education workers, to work together. She called for prioritizing workers and their needs in this work. She reminded the convention that union solidarity comes from action. Finally, Walton challenged all to do the hard work needed to build the movement.

Resolutions Committee invited up on stage.

Statutory Resolution A3

Submitted by: Executive Board

Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE

Moved by: Kimberly Kazur, L665 / Seconded by: Jody Tsubouchi, L710

Be it resolved that in compliance with section 68 of the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, MNP LLP is appointed Auditors of OPSEU/SEFPO for the fiscal year 2023 or until their successor is appointed.

Vote on Statutory Resolution A3 CARRIED

Resolution J1

Submitted by: Local 634, Local 416, Local 446, Local 672, Local 720, Kingston Area Council, Nipissing Area Council, Ottawa Area Council, Provincial Human Rights Committee, Provincial Women’s Committee & Thunder Bay and District Area Council

Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE

Moved by: Christine Kelsey, L416 / Seconded by: Jody Tsubouchi, L710

Therefore be it resolved that the OPSEU/SEFPO Meal Allowances be increased effective July 1, 2023 to $74 per day ($16 Breakfast, $23.00 Lunch and $35.00 Dinner) and further indexed annually on July 1st to the prior year’s Canadian Consumer Price Index as reported by Statistics Canada and rounded to the nearest dollar (based on the previous year’s actual non-rounded value).

Moved by: Mark Halabecki, L720 / Seconded by: Carol Maxwell, L720

REFERRAL: that the motion be referred back to the committee for an immediate response back to convention with an amendment of breakfast at $20, lunch at $27, and dinner at $36 effective immediately after approved by Convention and adjusted to the Consumer Price Index and rounded to the nearest dollar every July 1, starting July 1, 2023.

An amendment to the referral was made but ruled out of order.

Vote on REFERRAL CARRIED

Introduction of Resolutions Committee

Region 1	Darryl Bedford	Local 110
Region 2	Julie Chambo	Local 291
Region 3	Andrew Shirk	Local 362
Region 4	ChristineKelsey	Local 416
Region 5	Rod Bemister	Local 561
Region 6	Kimberly Kazur (Chair)	Local 665
Region 7	Jody Tsubouchi (Vice Chair)	Local 710
EBM	Joel Usher	Local 381
Staff Advisor	Mary Kalliontzis
Secretary	Enrico De Matteo

The question was called on Resolution J1 as amended:

Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE

Therefore be it resolved that the OPSEU/SEFPO Meal Allowances be increased effective immediately to $83 per day ($20.00 Breakfast, $27.00 Lunch and $36.00 Dinner) and further indexed annually on July 1st to the prior year’s Canadian Consumer Price Index as reported by Statistics Canada and rounded to the nearest dollar (based on
the previous year’s actual non-round