Dear members,
The National Capital Region has been basking in some wonderfully warm and sunny weather for the last few weeks – one last glorious blast of summer before the transition into fall. It’s much the same with us here at the office – working away at getting everything ready for our AGM on October 21. I’ll get more into that in a bit, there’s just a few things I want to report back to you on first.
Our mandamus order to compel the Government to provide health care that works
As I mentioned in my last message, the response we received from the Treasury Board, failed to address any of our concerns about the failings of the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) since its July 2023 transition to Canada Life and MSH International. Beyond that, they refuse to take responsibility for the situation and instead pass the blame on to the insurance providers.
It has become obvious that in order to have a functional health care plan – one that reliably and consistently provides timely and accurate claims processing to our members and their families, at home and abroad – we have no choice but to seek a mandamus order to compel the Employer to act on its legal duty. This is a big undertaking, and will take up significant time and resources, but in our opinion, and in that of our legal counsel, this is our strongest course of action.
Last week, we met with our legal representatives to discuss some of the groundwork we will need to do ahead of seeking the mandamus order. One of the key things we will require as we move forward with this action is a comprehensive record of how the failures of the PSHCP have affected – and continue to affect – our members, particularly those of you posted abroad. We have been asked to canvass our membership to collect as many accounts of difficulties with Canada Life and MSH International as we can.
So, if you and your family are currently experiencing, or have experienced, any issues with getting claims processed, receiving timely reimbursements, contacting customer support, etc., please let our office know. This is a critical step in building the strongest case we can, and any information you can provide will be a great help in securing the functional, reliable and comprehensive health care to which we are entitled.
This is one of the most important we are currently facing. I will be sure to give you frequent updates as the situation evolves.
The new Canadian Diplomatic Family Network
This past Tuesday marked the beginning of a new season of our PAFSO Breakfast series. I had the great pleasure of hosting IRCC Executive Committee member Megan Dalby who serves as our liaison to the newly formed Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN). The network, created earlier this year with support and encouragement from PAFSO, is a not-for-profit volunteer group of Government of Canada spouses whose aim is to connect spouses and dependents at all diplomatic posts and advocate for their interests. If you did not have a chance to participate in Tuesday’s talk, you can watch a recording of the session here on our YouTube channel. You can learn more about the CDFN and their work here on their website.
Canadian Diplomatic Family Network town hall September 23 at 1200
The CDFN has also let us know that they will be hosting a town hall open to all this coming Monday, September 23, at noon Ottawa time. Use the Zoom link below if you want to learn more about the issues facing this important segment of our Foreign Service community:
Topic: CDFN-RFDC Town Halll / Assemblée
Time: Sep 23, 2024, 12:00 Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/82232676616?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2DOaRwD19gJLWu6EWT4qEc8wJGJaHx7Kr7sHa1QI9tA_NLxdA1JM9V6Rk_aem_QMwwyxNpocYsRcpFJv-GXA
Meeting ID: 822 3267 6616
Passcode: 0
The 2024 AGM, Monday, October 21
If you want to learn more about PAFSO’s aims and goals for the coming year, please make sure to join us on October 21, at 1600, Ottawa time for our 2024 Annual General Meeting. You’ll get to hear a number of reports on our activities over the past year, as well as a look ahead as we discuss our plans for 2025 and beyond.
There are currently two vacancies on our Executive Committee: one for the Trade stream, and for FSIA members. We will be taking nominations for these two positions from the floor at the AGM. If you are interested in being more active in your association and participating in the big decisions that directly affect us, but would like to know a bit more before you throw your hat in the ring, you can find last year’s webinar on how it all works here on our YouTube channel.
To participate in our AGM, please send us an email at agm-aga@pafso-apase.com with your name and department. A formal meeting invitation with the full agenda and all related documents will be sent to registered participants at a date closer to the event.
AmbCanada Luncheon and Webinar, October 9
Our good friends at AmbCanada have asked me to let you know about another interesting event they have coming up early next month. You are invited to come hear Rhonda Gossen, former diplomat, CIDA manager and consultant to the UN, speak about her new book, The Twelfth of February. In it she recounts the story of Canada’s groundbreaking work in promoting gender equality in Pakistan in a time of growing religious extremism. Rhonda will be joined by special guests, Louise Ouimet and Heather Cruden who will share their own experience in Pakistan and the wider region to draw out important geopolitical and policy lessons for Canada on women’s empowerment at the nexus of security, development and support to democratic processes.
The event will take place in-person at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and virtually via Zoom. For virtual attendees, you can reserve your spot using this link. To register for the in-person event please send an email to info@ambcanada.ca. Doors open at 12:00 with lunch being served at 12:15 and speakers taking the stage at 1:00pm. Registration closes on October 3.
That’s all I have for you this week. As always, if anything is causing you concern at work, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. Are you having issues with your pay? Do you feel harassed or discriminated against? Do you have a grievance or a staffing complaint? Or do you just want some clarifications on our collective agreement or the FSDs? Whatever the case, PAFSO is here for you. Just send us an email with your name, department and a detailed description of your concerns. For anything and everything else, please send us an email at info@pafso.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
All the best,
Pam Isfeld
President
@PafsoPresApase