OPSEU/SEFPO 2023 Convention
OPSEU/SEFPO Convention 2023 – Apr 20 to 22. President JP Hornick: Call to order @ 9.17 am on day 1. The Indigenous circle welcomed all the Convention members along with JP. “Organize. Fight. Win!” was the running theme of Convention 2023.
Convention is the union’s highest ranking authority, where delegates debate and vote on policy and constitutional motions. The 2023 Convention took place in April 20-22, 2023, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. More than 1850 delegates, alternates, and observers attended in person or virtually over the three-day period – which is the largest OPSEU Convention held to date.
OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick delivered a motivating address, highlighting the year’s organizing successes and political victories, while road mapping OPSEU/SEFPO’s member-driven approach to combat the Ford government. JP quoted Myles Horton (a major figure in the Civil Rights movement) who said, “We make the road by walking” in her speech.
The following are our Executive Board Officers for 2022 – 2024: JP Hornick (President), Laurie Nancekivell (1st VP/Treasurer), Sara Labelle (2nd Vice-President), Coleen Houlder (3rd Vice-President), Tara Maszczakiewicz (4th Vice-President), Ed Arvelin (5th Vice-President), Jennifer Van Zetten (6th Vice-President), Lucy Morton (7th Vice-President) and Melissa Coenraad (8th Vice-President).
The following are our Executive Board Members (EBM’s): Julius Arscott (Region 5), Veronica Attard (Region 4), Rob Boulet (Region 6), Geoff Cain (Region 1), Drew Finucane (Region 2), Ken Maclam (Region 7), Chad Oldfield (Region 2), Janel Perron (Region 3), Erin Smith (Region 7), Chrisy Tremblay (Region 4) and Joel Usher (Region 3).
Business was taken care of throughout the 3-day Convention. Resolutions were passed, financials were shared by FVPT Laurie Nancekivell, the budget for 2023-2024 was passed, and much more. Some keynote guest speakers during the Convention include Jagmeet Singh (NDP Federal leader), Layla Stats (Indigenous entrepreneur, water activist and artist), Marit Stiles (NDP Provincial leader), Laura Walton (CUPE’s President of the School Board Council of Unions) and Jollene Levid (Los Angeles Teachers Union Strike Organizer).
OPSEU/SEFPO Convention attendees rally to send a clear message to Ford: stop the privatization of healthcare. On Day 1 of the OPSEU/SEFPO Convention, a rally against Bill 60 with the Hospital Professionals Division took place at 12:30 pm at Queen’s Park. Convention attendees went to send a clear message to Doug Ford: “Fix the staffing crisis and stop the privatization of public healthcare!”.
On the final day of the Convention, a momentous Constitutional amendment to increase the number of Executive Members for Equity was taken – adding an additional 7 seats. This amendment is a response to many recommendations that came from the union’s Social Mapping Project (SMP). Originally launched in 2010, the SMP has enabled the union to identify gaps and barriers by providing the necessary demographic information to ensure that services meet the needs of all members.
OPSEU kids on the Convention floor 2023: One of the most inspiring events happened on Day 3 of the Convention. OPSEU kids in childcare, carrying placards, paraded onto the Convention floor.
