In response to questions regarding the requirements for the President of PAFSO, the Nominations and Elections Committee would like to clarify s8(a)(iii) of the Constitution on the requirements for the Presidency.

When running for or serving in the position as President, PAFSO members are protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code, regardless of their physical location. The Human Rights Code requires associations, like PAFSO, to treat its members and employees equally, and without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability.

The Nominations and Elections Committee recognizes that PAFSO members may require reasonable accommodation on these grounds with respect to requirements in the Constitution, including the requirement that candidates have completed 12 months on posting in the last 10 years.

As such, we have amended the nomination form to clarify that candidates who were unable to serve abroad due to these enumerated grounds will not be excluded from seeking the Presidency. Members wishing to run for the Presidency who may not meet the requirement of having completed a posting of 12 months in the preceding 10 years due to protections covered by the Ontario Human Rights Code should indicate this is the case on their nomination form.

We strongly encourage all PAFSO members to apply to the Presidency position. In support of these efforts, the Nominations and Elections Committee will be extending the deadline for nominations until February 28.

Interested candidates must submit a statement outlining their qualifications and intentions and provide the endorsement of ten (10) regular PAFSO members in good standing via the following updated nomination form (updated). Nomination forms must be returned to the PAFSO office by mail (Nominations, PAFSO, 412 – 47 Clarence Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 9K1) or electronically (info@pafso-apase.com) before 23:59 EST Monday, February 28, 2022.