HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Zoom Videoconference
Present: Jennie Esnard, Chair
Samah Henein, Prairies – NWT
Din Kamaldin, Ontario Region
Charlotte Young, NCR
Dotty Kelland, Atlantic
Richard Gaboton, Education Officer
Shelby Woodman, Staff Support
Sylvie Guenette, Observer
Regrets: Tracy Thornton, BC - Yukon Region
Sonia Richard, Québec
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. via Zoom videoconference.
2. Introductions
J. Esnard introduced herself, and shared a little about her background and interests. She thanked the committee members for volunteering to be a part of the committee. The committee members also introduced themselves, and shared about their background and experiences related to union activities and Human Rights.
3. Approval of the Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented. Due to Covid-19, the chair provided the committee with an update in regards to in person meetings for the time being.
It was requested that significant dates and/or observances be sent to the chair in order to have a posting on the website to recognize the dates.
R. Gaboton moved the agenda, S. Henein seconded it – all in favour.
4. Portfolio Assignments/Representation on external committees & Working Group
It was recommended that the committee be spread out in order to have representation on all CLC committees, as well as National committees outside of the CLC. The committee members are encouraged to sit on a committee, and bring back any of the initiatives that may arise from the meetings.
It was also suggested that additional committee members be trained with the CLC at a higher level. It would benefit all committee members, as reports and experiences can be shared. It would also show PIPSC participation at a higher level.
The HRDC requires further visibility, being a part of external committees and working groups is very important. A list of external committees and working groups will be shared with the committee, and it was requested that the members send a note to the chair advising of their interests.
There was a discussion in regards to transparency within the committee, and the importance of the committee’s role and goals.
Action: J. Esnard to send S. Woodman a list of various committees requiring representation on external committees, and working groups. S. Woodman to share it with the committee.
5. Members who have or are dealing with invisible disabilities
S. Woodman read a slide that was shared with the committee in regards to invisible disabilities, which stressed the importance of never judging a book by its cover.
6. Roundtable
Prairies/N.W.T.
There was a suggestion that the PIPSC Human Rights & Diversity course be revised. There was a discussion in regards to the need of additional facilitators for member and/or steward training.
S. Henein offered to share the CLC petitions with S. Woodman, who can then share them with the committee.
Ontario
It was suggested the Employment Equity Act revise the definitions and clarify each of the groups. The data is marginalized, and does not reflect the proper statistics.
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Education Officer
It was mentioned that he was able to obtain a copy of the CLC Human Rights training that was offered last summer, and when the time comes, it will be adapted for PIPSC members.
Due to Covid-19, Labor Notes is not able to host the conference. Instead, they are holding a digital conference which offers online workshops at no cost.
Action: S. Woodman to share the link for the Labor Note 2020 Digital Conference.
7. Next Meeting Date
It was suggested that the next meeting date be scheduled in early May 2020.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
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