HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Zoom Videoconference
Present: Jennie Esnard, Chair
Farzana Merani, Prairies - NWT
Din Kamaldin, Ontario Region
Charlotte Young, NCR
Sonia Richard, Québec
Richard Gaboton, Education Officer
Shelby Woodman, Staff Support
Samah Henein, Friend, Prairies – NWT
Stewart Wong, Friend, Prairies – NWT
Regrets: Dotty Kelland, Atlantic
Sohila Sherbafi, BC/Yukon
1. Call to order/Introductions
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. via Zoom videoconference. R. Gaboton thanked everyone for joining the meeting. As there were new committee members, we briefly introduced ourselves. J. Esnard also thanked the new committee members for joining the committee, as well as the current one for their continued efforts and contributions.
2. Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved pending minor adjustments.
3. Approval of the Minutes
The minutes were approved as presented.
4. Individuals seeking help - Indigenous and People of Colour, Francophone
Over the past few months, the Chair has been inundated with emails from members of the Indigenous, People of colour, and the Francophone communities who have not been receiving assistance and respect in their respective regions.
J. Esnard will forward a matter regarding respect for the Francophone community to S. Richard. The Chair requested that S. Richard review the matter and provide her with a recommendation to bring forward at the Board.
The Chair advised the committee that she will be having a discussion at the Board level in regards to extending the committee’s membership, as there is a lot of work to be completed, and with more presence, more can be accomplished.
As there has been a change over in committee members, the chair advised that the Women, Disability and People of colour caucuses do require a Chair. Following a discussion, the portfolios were assigned as follows:
Women: Farzana Merani
Disability: Samah Henein
People of Colour: Stewart Wong & Farzana Merani
The CLC Convention will be held virtually on June 16 – 18, 2021. As the HRDC committee members will be attending, J. Esnard will add the new members to the list of attendees. The committee members will be able to attend different sessions based on their respective portfolios.
It was recommended that a pre-meeting be scheduled in advance of the CLC Convention to ensure that all participants on are on the same page in regards to PIPSC position on different issues.
Back Pack: S. Woodman to make note of a further discussion in regards to the proper references be included in the PIPSC constitution.
Back Pack: S. Woodman to make note of a resolution in regards to the HRDC having control of the caucuses.
Action: S. Woodman to schedule a pre-meeting in advance of the CLC Conference to discuss PIPSC’ position on different matters.
5. Board of Directors News
The Chair informed the committee that the Board has opened up their meetings, observers may attend, however salary replacement will not be provided.
There was a discussion in regards to Employment Relations Officers. It some regions, cases have been on the rise, and others less than usual. It was mentioned that everyone needs to be aware of the racism, and micro-aggressions, that are being addressed and forced upon our members.
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6. Results from the FPSLREB cases
The chair advised that there were members who pursued human rights matters on their own, without representation, and they were successful. The decisions will be made public by the end of May 2021, at which time, Jennie will share with the committee.
7. Preparation of a Questionnaire
There is a desire to create an inclusion index at PIPSC, which will allow the membership to self-identify. PIPSC needs to be able to measure the lived experiences of our members, as well as the lived stresses of the membership.
The Chair advised that staff is currently developing a plan and report as to how this information will be gathered. A presentation to the board will be presented in September 2021.
8. Webinars – Support, process & technology
There was an inquiry as to how the webinars will be carried out. The Chair advised to work with R. Gaboton, and Communications will also assist.
9. Orange Shirt Day
There was a discussion in regards to Orange Shirt Day. It is symbolic to acknowledge the damage that the residential schools did to children, and the effect that it still has on people today.
The Chair advised that should committee members want to purchase orange shirts, they should ensure that another group is not already doing the same thing. A request to purchase the orange shirts should also be submitted to the Chair.
It was suggested that C. Young provide R. Gaboton with an outline of the webinars and other ideas in regards to her portfolios.
10. Anti-Racism Webinars & Anti-Racism Training
The French Anti-Racism webinar was phenomenal. It was extremely engaging, with close to 100 participants. The English also went well, with approximately 300 participants.
There was a discussion in regards to the Anti-Racism training that it be provided to the Board, stewards, and members. R. Gaboton advised that they are currently in the
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process of vetting different consultants. A proposal is to be presented at the next Board meeting, scheduled on March 18, 2021.
Action: The Chair will request that the HRDC receive a copy of the Anti-Racism training proposal to review, and provide a recommendation to the Board.
11. AGM Part 2
There was an inquiry as when the second part of the AGM will be held. The Chair confirmed that it will be held on April 10, 2021. The HRDC committee members will available during the AGM, should any concerns be raised.
The committee briefly discussed some of the resolutions that will be brought forward.
12. Education Officer Report
In addition to the Anti-Racism webinars, R. Gaboton worked on different activities to recognize Black History Month.
R. Gaboton shared that the Education section is considering holding some training sessions that will be open to all members, not only for stewards.
He is currently working on an online Health & Safety course. This course will be offered to the French membership first, as R. Gaboton committed to writing some courses in French first.
13. Roundtable
Chair
Action: The chair will design a role play on micro-aggressions and share with the committee.
Action: The Chair will inquire at the next Board meeting if committee members’ internet costs can be reimbursed by the Institute.
14. Next Meeting Date
Action: S. Woodman to send a Doodle poll to confirm the next meeting date. 15. Adjournment
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The meeting adjourned at.3:05 p.m.
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