Winnipeg Area Human Rights Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 24, 2016 at 5:15 p.m.
PSAC Regional Office
175 Hargrave St
Minutes
Attendees: James Cooke, Gus Mardli, Jackie Nanali, Lorelei Topnik, Yvonne Hein, Dawn MacAulay, Lindsey Sparks (PSAC Rep)
1. Call to order at 5:20 p.m.
2. Introductions
3. Adoption of Agenda – agreed to by all
4. PSAC Statement on Harassment - agreed to by all
5. October 21, 2016 minutes approval – carried forward to next agenda
6. Treasurer’s report – Lorelei reported that we have $1,579.91 less a couple of outstanding cheques
7. Presentation of Resolutions and Discussion thereof - Jackie presented 6 resolutions (attached) entitled as follows:
- #1 Truth and Reconciliation
- #2 Racially Visible Leadership
- #3 Additional delegate seats for Racially Visible members at PSAC National Triennial Convention
- #4 Additional delegate seats for Racially Visible members from Regional Council at PSAC National Triennial Convention
- #5 Delegate seats for Equity (Aboriginal Peoples, Racially Visible Persons, Pride, Access) and Women members at PSAC National Triennial Convention
- #6 Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) in Canada
- There was discussion on all of the resolutions, with the decision to withdraw #5 as it would require a huge monetary commitment which we knew would not be passed at convention. With a few minor changes to #1 and #2 it was agreed to submit the other five resolutions to the Prairies Triennial Regional Convention
9. Election of delegate and alternate (s) to Prairie Regional Convention – Lindsay ran the election, asking for nominations from the floor as follows:
- Gus nominated Lorelei, James seconded
- Yvonne nominated James, Lorelei seconded
- Both accepted the nomination and spoke on their own behalf.
- Lindsey handed out ballots and then counted them.
- Lorelei is our delegate. James is our alternate delegate.
- Dawn moved to destroy the ballot, Gus seconded it, all were in favour.
10. Next meeting date January 19, 2017 (alternate date January 26, 2017)
11. Adjournment at 6:20 p.m.
RESOLUTION (1)
TITLE: Truth and Reconciliation
ORIGINATOR: Winnipeg & Area Human Rights Committee
WHEREAS The genocide of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples is acknowledged; And
WHEREAS The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #57 which calls upon all levels of government to:
“provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism”; And
WHEREAS PSAC has many Indigenous members and is a strong ally; And
WHEREAS PSAC values meaningful reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples; And
WHEREAS We need our union leaders to lead our social justice causes.
BE IT RESOLVED That PSAC will use its education resources to deliver Indigenous awareness training to the National Board of Directors and the Alliance Executive Committee, on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #57 in the next three year cycle.
RESOLUTION (2)
TITLE: Racially Visible Leadership
ORIGINATOR: Winnipeg & Area Human Rights Committee
THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE:
The Prairie Region Conference for Racially Visible members identified the lack of racialized leaders as a priority issue; And
BECAUSE racialized members face unique needs, challenges, and experiences; And
BECAUSE creating a safe space where each of us can feel free to speak up is a priority for our union
THE ACTIONS REQUESTED:
PSAC WILL further develop a leadership training course to be developed and facilitated by racialized PSAC staff in consultation with racialized members to encourage active participation and more equitable representation in leadership; And
PSAC WILL further implement the course nationally within the next three-year cycle.
RESOLUTION (3)
TITLE: Additional delegate seats for Racially Visible members at PSAC National Triennial Convention.
ORIGINATOR: Winnipeg & Area Human Rights Committee
THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE:
The Prairie Region Conference for Racially Visible members identified the lack of racialized leaders as a priority issue; And
BECAUSE conventions are our highest decision-making body; And
BECAUSE delegates to the PSAC National Triennial Convention are union leaders
THE ACTIONS REQUESTED:
PSAC WILL address the lack of racialized leaders by designating four seats for racialized members at the PSAC national triennial convention; And
PSAC WILL FURTHER elect the four delegates at the PSAC National Racially Visible Conference and to have gender parity.
RESOLUTION (4)
TITLE: Additional delegate seats for Racially Visible members from Regional Council at PSAC National Triennial Convention.
ORIGINATOR: Winnipeg & Area Human Rights Committee
THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE:
The Prairie Region Conference for Racially Visible members identified the lack of racialized leaders as a priority issue; And
BECAUSE there is a lack of racialized members at leadership levels in our union; And
BECAUSE conventions are our highest decision-making body; And
BECAUSE delegates to the PSAC National Triennial Convention are union leaders
THE ACTIONS REQUESTED:
PSAC WILL address the lack of racialized leaders by designating 2 seats for racialized members from each PSAC Regions at the PSAC National Triennial convention; And
PSAC WILL FURTHER ensure that there is gender parity in these two seats; And
PSAC WILL FURTHER designate one of the two seats to the PSAC National Triennial Convention to the Representative for Racially Visible members who sits on the PSAC Regional Council; And
PSAC WILL FURTHER ensure that the other delegate seat be elected at the PSAC Regional Racially Visible Conference.
RESOLUTION (5)
TITLE: Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) in Canada
ORIGINATOR: Winnipeg & Area Human Rights Committee
THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE:
There are increasing numbers of migrant workers coming to Canada through the TFWP and less immigrants through the immigration process; And
BECAUSE migrant workers are denied or have limited access to health and safety rights, workers' rights, human rights and permanent residency; And
BECAUSE the federal government is basing labour shortages on business demands rather than basing it on research and policy objectives.
THE ACTIONS REQUESTED:
PSAC WILL develop a campaign and lobby the federal government in the next 3 year cycle:
a) to change the TFWP so that they have access to the rights that all other workers have in Canada;
b) to change the TFWP to allow full access to permanent residency in Canada;
c) to sign and ratify the ILO (International Labour Organization) conventions related to migrant workers; and
d) work with the CLC and other affiliates on this issue.