NCR Executive Board Election Reform - Required! You can help make it happen.
Attention PIPSC Members in the National Capital Region (NCR):
A new page has been added to “Action Tracker” in my portal, dedicated to the NCR Electoral Reform: https://en.gorodnichy.ca/action-tracker/ncr-electoral-reform.
In this article, I summarize why this reform is required, the efforts made so far, and how you can help support this initiative.
Why is Electoral Reform needed?
The answer is outlined in the Resolution prepared by the NCR By-Law Committee, which I chaired, for submission at the upcoming NCR Council for a vote. Here it is:
RESOLUTION FOR 2025 NCR COUNCIL: Electoral Reform
Whereas:
The current in-person electoral process for the National Capital Region (NCR) - the largest region in the Union hat represents over 40,000 members (over 50% of the national PIPSC membership), disenfranchises many regular NCR members (over 10% - according to the latest National Elections data - who cannot participate in the NCR elections), however benefits a small network of existing NCR executives (less than 0.5% - according to the latest Regional elections - the selected delegates for NCR Council who can vote in the NCR election)
The infrastructure for new electronic electoral process is available (used in National Elections and Elections in several groups), promoted on the PIPSC website as a significant step towards a more modern and efficient union:"This new elections platform is just the latest example of our work modernizing our processes and using technology to make PIPSC among Canada's most effective and efficient unions." [PIPSC - A new era for PIPSC elections] .There is no logistical or financial reason to refrain from using this modernized electronic system for the NCR election.
The reform of the electoral process is driven by the following three objectives , driven by the Union mandate:
Enhance Transparency and Member Engagement:
To enhance transparency, members representation, and engagement by establishing a more inclusive and extended electronic electoral process that allows broader member participation in the NCR Executive Board elections.Strengthen Democratic Representation:
To strengthen democratic representation within PIPSC by ensuring that the elected leadership better reflects the diverse perspectives of its membership.Eliminate Conflict of Interest Risks:
To eliminate the risk of apparent, potential and perceived conflict of interest by preventing acting NCR Executives from influencing the outcomes of the new NCR Executive elections.
Be It Resolved That:
The election process for the NCR Region Executive be updated to allow all NCR members to vote for candidates using an electronic voting system.
Adequate advance notice will be provided to NCR members for nominating candidates and participating in the voting process online.
Full details of the related by-law changes are outlined in the accompanying document, “NCR Electoral Reform” (attached).
Time-line and reaction of the other NCR Executives
When in summer 2024 the NCR By-Laws committee that I chaired started working on the Electoral Reform, the hope was that the rest of rte NCR Executive Board would seize this historic opportunity to bring much-needed improvements to the region.
However, when since very beginning I started seeing a lot of resistance to it, in particular from several NCR executives veterans, the requested discussion on this reform was postponed multiple times, I was given tasks that have further delayed the discussion (such as contacting Elections committee chair, contacting national Bylaws and Policy Committee chair, get the financial quote), and finally when in January 2025 (more than half a year after I originally asked for the discussion) I finally introduced the motion to support this resolution, the majority voted against it. (Credit goes to the two other executives who voted with me and even asked for reasons why the change might be harmful to members - answers were not provided by those opposing it. )
What Happens Now and what you can do to help?
Had the Board supported my motion, this resolution would have been prioritized among those submitted for the 2025 NCR Council.
Since it was defeated, the resolution will still be submitted—but only as a regular member resolution. This means it will be placed at the bottom of the list, behind all resolutions from the NCR Executive and its 16 Branch executives. As a result, it may never reach the floor within the limited time at the Hilton hotel, just as what happened to many regular member resolutions at the latest November 2024 National AGM.
Despite this, there is still a chance for the resolution to pass. This is why it's crucial to raise awareness and ensure as many concerned members as possible "submit their interest to attend" the NCR Council.
That’s why I urge all NCR members—please take action. Check my previous article for details on how and why to do so.
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