1. Ordre du jour
Adopté sans modification.
M. Jetté souhaite la bienvenue à tous les retraité(e)s ainsi qu’aux conjoints/tes survivants/tes qui se sont présentés(ées) en si grand nombre. Il présente les membres du conseil d’administration (Paul Hagen, Bert Hubbard, Marcel LeBlanc, Marie Mellon, Roop Kesarwani, Gaston Sauvé, Bill Orban, Agnes Sulyok, Ralph Tross) et les remercie de tout coeur pour leur travail et dévouement. He then summarized the reasons which led to a return of a retirees’ association distinct from APUO which were outlined in a recent mailing. In essence, retirees were best qualified to look after their interests. Although a retired members’ committee existed under APUO, members were rarely consulted nor was much enthusiasm voiced for our concerns. The Administrative Committee was now striving for legal recognition of APRUO by the Administration of the University. Il mentionna que le conseil d’administration s’était réuni à quatres reprises depuis février 1999 et que beaucoup de travail avait été accompli durant cette courte période de temps y compris la rédaction de notre charte et de la note envoyée au Bureau des gouverneurs ayant trait à l’excédent de la caisse de retraite. Le conseil s’était de même réuni avec l’Administration pour discuter de soins de santé, du régime de retraite et de locaux permanents. He noted that only last December 1998, APRUO existed in name only with little more than the determination of its founding members at its disposal. The objectives of the Administrative Committee for the coming year involved:
• establishment of a permanent office;M. Jetté expressed his thanks to Louise Pagé-Vallin and Robert Beauchesne for their assistance in getting us established, as well as to Hubert Reiter, Director Protection Services, for providing us with free parking for the duration of our meeting.
• design of a WEB site;
• seeking the legal recognition of the association;
• establishment of a medical-dental program for retirees;
• ensuring that retirees receive their fair share of the surplus.
The names of the following retired colleagues who died during the past year were read and a moment of silence was observed in remembrance: Francis Bregha (Age 71 – date of death 98.03.13); Ralph Mckendry (79 – 98.04.07); Alfred Carruthers (73 – 98.05.04); Victor Chassé (83 – 98.06.27); Geza Hetenyi (75 – 98.07.08); Margaret Beznak (84 – 99.01.21); Bernard Lefevre (69 – 99.02.12); Fernand Landry (69 – 99.04.18).
4. Relationship with APUO
Bob Keyserlingk reported that a hostile atmosphere had made it virtually impossible for the Retired Members’ Committee of the APUO to continue to function and that since APUO continued to tout itself as representing the retired members, formal recognition of the APRUO was crucial. He further indicated that all links with APUO should be severed.
5. Constitution
After much discussion, it was moved and seconded by Bill Orban and Marie Mellon that, subject to the two amendments indicated hereafter, the constitution of the APRUO as presented on behalf of the Administrative Committee by Bert Hubbard be adopted.That motion carried unanimously.
The first amendment in question concerned the stipulation in article 2 restricting regular membership to “any retired member of the APUO”. It was pointed out that not all former full-time academics who are retired members of the University’s pension plan were members of the APUO, and it was moved by Peter Fitt that article 2 of the constitution be amended to take this into account, the necessary reformulation of the article to be left to the Administrative Committee.
That motion, seconded by Wilbrod Leclerc, was carried unanimously.
The second amendment related to the terms of office of the members of the Administrative Committee, article 8(a) providing that “except for the initial terms of office, [such members] shall serve for one year”, but that: “For the sake of continuity the terms of office of those elected at the first annual general meeting of the Association shall be as follows: three members shall be elected for a term of three years, three for a term of two years, and four for a term of one year.” It was pointed out that, after three years the desired continuity would be lost unless the normal term were longer than one year. It was explained that the purpose of the proposed wording was to secure continuity during the first three years of our Association’s existence because of the complexity of such matters as the pension surplus, continuity thereafter being of far less importance, and the proposed one year term simply reflects a commitment most members would be unwilling to exceed. However, being free to resign at any time, members might not be deterred from standing for election should the term be longer. It was then moved and seconded by Jean Marie Joly and Theo Geraets that article 8(a) be amended to provide for a normal term of two years.
That motion carried by a vote of 72 for and 2 against.
6. Assurance pour les soins de santé/health insurance
Gaston Sauvé fait l’état de la situation en ce qui a trait à ce dossier dont il est maintenant le responsable. Il indique que quoique nous ayons en main les différents programmes de soins de santé offerts aux actifs et retraités des sept grandes universités de la province, ceci ne nous dit rien quant à la répartition des sommes versées pour chaque groupe ce qui rend la comparaison presqu’impossible. Une demande de renseignement à ce sujet sera envoyée à toutes les universités ontariennes. M. Jetté indique que l’Université s’apprête à proposer une assurance-santé personelle, possiblement avec la compagnie Mutual Life, mais dont la prime serait entièrement la responsabilité de l’individu. Lors d’une rencontre récente, Mme Louise Pagé-Vallin faisait la suggestion que l’Université serait prête à retirer $5000.00 (imposable) de notre assurance-vie pour nous aider à défrailler une partie du coût de cette assurance. L’Université, toutefois, ne serait pas en mesure de défrayer les primes d’assurance santé, même partielles. Des recontres sont prévues bientôt afin de résoudre ce litige qui existe depuis maintes années.
7. Pension fund surplus matters
Bert Hubbard provided the meeting with background information regarding the March 26 "pension reform proposal" of the PPC, a full account of which can be found on the APRUO website ( www.uottawa.ca/associations/apruo/ ). He went on to explain the Administrative Committee's opposition to that plan, and its view of the present status and future prospects of that proposal. He also described the meeting he and Maurice Jetté had had with Bill Sammon of the law firm Barnes, Sammon regarding our legal position in respect of the surplus in the University's pension fund. While Mr. Sammon thinks a very strong case for full distribution could be brought by way of a class action the major costs of which could be made contingent upon success, he agreed that the most practical approach is negotiation with all interested parties. Mr. Hubbard then asked the meeting to endorse the approach that the Administrative Committee had taken and to provide it with a mandate to continue its efforts to reach a satisfactory compromise. Gordon Boreham, whose views in that regard had been unanimously rejected by the Administrative Committee, spoke at some length in favour of the PPC proposal, urging that it be left to its fate before the Board of Governors. Following Mr. Hubbard’s reply, a resolution expressing confidence in the Administrative Committee, approval of the measures already taken by it and conferring upon it a mandate to continue in its endeavour to secure a more acceptable proposal for consideration at a future meeting of the APRUO was then moved by André Coté and seconded by Theo Geraets.
That motion carried with 73 in favour, 3 opposed and 4 abstentions.
8. Elections to the Administrative Committee
The meeting was advised by Bert Hubbard that all but two of the members elected to the Administrative Committee on December 16, 1998, were willing to stand for re-election and that, while any number could be nominated from the floor, there was therefore a need for at least two further nominations. Emil Hayek was then nominated by Mr. Hubbard and Maurice Jetté, and Gordon Boreham was nominated by Theo Geraets and Gaston Sauvé. No other candidates having been nominated and seconded, it was moved that nominations be closed. That motion having been adopted, the following persons were acclaimed as the members of the Administrative Committee: Gordon Boreham, Emil Hayek, Bert Hubbard, Maurice Jetté, Roop Kesarwani, Marcel LeBlanc, Marie Mellon, Bill Orban, Gaston Sauvé and Ralph Tross.
A motion made and seconded by André Coté and Paul Hagen that the annual membership fee for the Association’s fiscal year ending April 30, 2000, be set at $25.00 was adopted without dissent.
On a motion by Marnie Levitt, seconded by Leo Deschesnes, the meeting was adjourned at 4.15 PM.
______________________
H. Albert Hubbard,
Secretary-Treasurer.
[Note: The Association’s secretary not yet having been named when the meeting took place, the minutes of the various items of the agenda were prepared by the person who had undertaken to present the matter in question.]
