Evidence of meeting #7 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was president.
A recording is available from Parliament.
As an Individual
Yes, I was, by the president and by a board representative, or by two board representatives.
As an Individual
No, I reported to the president and I attended board meetings, not to vote but to give information.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
In the ordinary course of events prior to the time when things began to change, you would report directly to the president of the organization and you would attend board meetings, but the board did not take a part in the day-to-day operations of the organization.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Gauthier became a member of the board and then for a brief period of time was the acting president?
Liberal
As an Individual
Yes. He was acting president from the end of January until the end of last week, and it was during that period I was fired, that's right.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Presumably, if Mr. Latulippe was named as his successor, it would have been possible for Mr. Latulippe, as the incoming president of the organization, to make a decision as to what administrative action should be taken with respect to this question of the conduct of various employees.
As an Individual
Indeed. We were stunned that we were fired 24 hours before Mr. Latulippe's appointment was announced, was confirmed. That was a Monday. I came home Monday evening and I found the letter dated that day, March 1, and the evening of March 2, Monsieur Latulippe was confirmed by Minister Cannon. The very last possible day before Monsieur Latulippe's nomination, we were fired.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Gauthier never resigned as a member of the board. He was always a member of the board at the same time as he was the acting president.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Thank you, Mr. Rae.
We're now going to move back over to Mr. Goldring.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Madame Cloutier, you said that while you were on medical leave you signed the contract with the union. Is that correct?
As an Individual
No. I was not yet on sick leave when I signed the agreement with the union. I don't remember the exact date on which I started my sick leave. Whatever the case may be, following Mr. Beauregard's death, Razmik Panossian and I assumed authority, as it were, at the centre. It was during that period that I signed the agreement. The decision had been made before Christmas that it should be signed. That was on January 15, and I started my sick leave later in January.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Mr. Longangué, you're with the union. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to whether your union has practices to ensure that the employees are being treated fairly and equitably. Are there not provisos for conflict resolution, dispute resolution, from the union contract in cooperation with the management?
President, Union of Employees of Rights & Democracy, Public Service Alliance of Canada
You're asking me if we have mechanisms to deal with--
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Most unions do. I think that many large unions have committee persons who are specifically charged with interrelating with employees when there are problems.
President, Union of Employees of Rights & Democracy, Public Service Alliance of Canada
Yes, we do.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Did you employ any of these methods and tactics during the course of this event?
President, Union of Employees of Rights & Democracy, Public Service Alliance of Canada
If you're asking me about the time between January and now, it has been impossible because management has been suspended and then fired. The people responsible for interacting with the union during this period...no one was nominated to replace them, so we didn't have any to speak with. We asked many times. We asked for a meeting with the interim president, Mr. Gauthier. It took us two and a half months to get that first meeting.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
As a union, in your contract you do not have provisos there for fair and equitable treatment of employees?