Human Rights Committee Meeting - Calgary
MINUTES - June 29, 2009
Attendees:
Dale Marianicz Joyce Lewis Donna Bellefeuille
Ayanna Ayi Evelyn Egger Wally Fandrich
June Martin-Gendron Karen Paull Timothy Hunt - President
Raj Hari - PSAC RO Staff
The committee determined the guidelines to run for office as follows: Must identify with one of the groups to hold office.
- Persons with Disability (PWD’s)
- Racially Visible Persons
- Aboriginal Peoples
- Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual Transgender
All other member will be considered Allies of the Calgary Human Rights Committee.
ELECTIONS:
Brother Hari called for nominations for the position of Chair for this committee, the following were the results:
Timothy Hunt Nominated – Sister Lewis 2nd – Sister Martin-Gendron
Acclaimed: TIMOTHY HUNT
Brother Hari called for nominations for the position of Vice Chair for this committee, the following were the results:
Wally FandrichNominated – Brother Hunt 2nd Sister Lewis
Acclaimed: WALLY FANDRICH
Brother Hari called for nominations for the position of Secretary/Treasurer for this committee, the following were the results:
Evelyn Egger Nominated – Sister Paull 2nd Brother Hunt
Acclaimed: EVELYN EGGER
PSAC POLICY 27:
MOTION: Brother Hunt moved to have PSAC Policy 27 “Human Rights” serve as the guidelines for the Calgary Human Rights Committee, seconded by Brother Fandrich.
PSAC POLICY 27
HUMAN RIGHTS
The Public Service Alliance of Canada unequivocally supports the principles of human rights as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act.
The Alliancerecognizes that there are members who have been and continue to be victimized by discrimination and that their problems, therefore, require special attention and measures, in order to be alleviated. The Alliancewill not condone discriminatory actions taken on any ground including age, race,colour, sex, marital status, family status, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, language, political belief, union activity or criminal record.
The Alliancepledges to work toward the achievement of equality for all its members and to eliminate discrimination and increase the participation of disadvantaged groups in the workforce. We will institute the following measures to facilitate the achievement of these goals:
1. Promote human rights' issues through educational and sensitization measures aimed at our members and public awareness programs.
2. Support collective bargaining proposals for articles which further our human rights goals, including but not limited to protection against personal harassment; protection for workers who are or become disabled; child care; equal pay for work of equal value; joint and equal participation in union-management affirmative action programs; improvements to current "no discrimination" and "sexual harassment" articles.
3. Pressure the employer at all levels to end discriminatory practices, implement special measures to eliminate barriers to employment, and redress past and present systemic discrimination which has an adverse impact on our membership.
4. Continue to lobby for changes in legislation to achieve full bargaining rights in the public service and strengthen the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Employment Equity Act.
5. Participate with other groups with similar goals to improve benefits and conditions for disadvantaged people in Canada.
Unanimous - Carried.
The Calgary Human Rights Committee commits to providing a safe environment for all to participate. Should any participant not feel this way they should speak to the Regional Representative or Sister Robyn Benson – Regional Executive Vice President for the Prairies (204) 956-4625.
Committee Mandate: RECRUIT! REJUVENATE! RETAIN!
SCHEDULED MEETINGS:
We are required to hold four (4) meetings per year to obtain funding and maintain our status as an active committee. Tentative scheduled dates for these meetings are:
- September 22nd, 2009
- January 10th, 2010
- March 23rd , 2010
- June 22nd, 2010
NATIONAL CONFERENCES:
Conferences for each of the equity groups normally occur once every three (3) years per the PSAC Triennial cycle. For dates for these conference please refer to this link (http://www.psac-afpc.org/news/conferences-e.shtml ) to obtain details of the conference for your equity group. Members of the Calgary
ANNUAL EQUITY CELEBRATIONS:
We will work together to provide support for Equity initiatives, events, and celebrations.
February - African Heritage / Black History Month
March 21st - United Nations day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
May 17th - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
June - Pride Day / Week (Calgary Pride day now on September long weekend)
June - Aboriginal Month
Dec 01st - World Aids Day
Dec 3rd - International Day of Disabled Persons
Dec 10th - Human Rights Day
BUDGET & FUNDING:
Funding: $ 500.00 Start Up funds PSAC Headquarters
$500.00 Prairie Regional Committee
$1,000.00 Prairie Region
Executive will set up an appropriate time that we may meet to open a chequing account have funds deposited and establish signing authority at the bank.
Budget to be established at next meeting.
All budgetary items should be submitted approx six (6) months in advance.
We identified several local issues that we may want to consider for action from our committee.
ACTION ITEMS:
All members – Please bring members of your group and/or an ally to our next meeting.
All members – Please bring one or two issues that are relevant to your group.
All members – Any Budget items (please send to Brother Hari’s attention before attending the next meeting, this will generate an agenda).
- Members identified several areas of focus encompassing each of the equity groups.
Brother Hunt asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION to adjourn by Sister Egger, seconded by Sister Paull, motion carried.
Meeting ended at 7:15pm.