Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Attending: Megan Adam, Jamey Mills, Sharon Tieman, Bill Pleming, Jack Seto, Monica Urrutia

Continue reading or download a PDF copy of the Vancouver Area Council Meeting minutes, Sept. 22, 2009

1) AGM Planning

• October 27^th confirmed date. Location, Vancouver RO
• Discussion about putting off proposed educational/speakers until the next meeting in January in order to focus on AGM business.
• AGM agenda will include:
  • Report of Exec
  • Treasurer/Budget
  • Reports of member locals
  • Kay Sinclair and Stephen Dunsmore (to be invited) to speak on local political action and the lightstation issue
  • Will play “spot the public service” game during dinner to show how it works (still have some coffee left for prizes).
  • Elections
  • Other issues as raised/roundtable
• Food will be Indian from Saffron.
• Megan to contact Stephen Dunsmore, Monica to contact Kay Sinclair.

2) January Meeting

• Discussion was had about doing a January educational around Bill C-10, pay equity and the government’s attempt to silence unions. PSAC charter case etc.
• Suggestion to invite David Eby (on charter right to association, speech), Peter Jullian (on pay equity petition and case) and have PSAC rep speak to the charter case.
• Suggestion to hold event at a downtown venue, 5 pm after work, and promote to members and the public.
• Megan to contact Jacquie De Aguayo regarding this proposal to see if the timing would be appropriate. Will also talk to legal representative this week.
• Will ask Sam to speak with Jullian’s office about schedule in January to determine possible dates.

3) Roundtable

4) Adoption of minutes from last meeting.

source: Toronto Star

‘Disgraceful’ conditions persist in native communities after residential schools apology

OTTAWA — Four of Canada’s largest unions have joined together to urge the federal government to tackle the appalling conditions facing the country’s native communities.

The labour movement’s “sorry is not enough” campaign is pressing the Conservative government to get beyond last year’s apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Canada natives for the emotional and physical harm done to them by the residential school system.

“Sorry is not enough when aboriginal peoples in almost every measure are the most marginalized group in Canada,” John Gordon, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) told a press conference Thursday.

(more…)

Please see below for information regarding the 2009 World Peace Forum Teach in or visit www.peaceforumteachin.org

>> Note that the BC Regional Council voted to purchase up to 30 tickets for PSAC members who may be interested in attending. Please email braggp@psac.com or call 604 430 5631 and ask for Patrick for a ticket – they are available on a first come/first served basis <<

From Crash to Catastrophe …

The ‘Great’ Depression, the rise of fascism, the debates that shook the workers’ movement, the Spanish Civil War, the transformation from coal to oil, the rise of the American Empire, the origins of mass media, the birth of mass industrial unions, youth, anti-war and solidarity movements and much more-the ‘thirties’ were a decade that had a huge impact on the world we live in today and the tasks that face activists. Following the success of the 2008 World Peace Forum Teach-In, which looked at the impact of World War I, this gathering of academics, artists and activists will discuss and debate the decade between the great ‘crash’ of October 1929 and the official beginning of the Second World War in September of 1939.

With the goal of supporting peace, economic and social justice and ecological sustainability, the World Peace Forum is creating a program featuring speakers from across North America who will shed light on the roots of the present in the past. In plenary sessions and smaller workshops the lessons of history and the tasks of today will be discussed and debated. On Remembrance Day, November 11, there will be a special series of panels for young people-the generation who will decide what the future of humanity will look like and whether there will be one.

(more…)

South Vancouver Island RWC Annual General Meeting

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 5:30 pm

PSAC Victoria RO – Admirals Walk

In Attendance:

Kay Sinclair BC, REVP (chair), Alexandra Ripco UEW 20076, Virginia Vaillancourt UVAE 20030, Brenda Esplen UTE 20028, Cindy Little UTE 20028, Mandi Schubert (via phone) CEIU 20975, Dyan Day UNDE 21013, Leanne Hughes CIU 20042, Jeannette Lum UEW 20169, Colette Savarie – Regional Rep, Rosemary MacKenzie – Admin Assistant

Regrets: Maddalena Maher

Continue reading the minutes or download here the PDF of the South Vancouver Island Regional Women’s Committee AGM.

Call to Order: Kay called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

Minutes of Previous meeting:

Minutes from the previous meeting (August 25, 2009) were accepted

Update from the BC Women’s Retreat:

There was an update from Virginia from the Women’s Retreat (see attached). Brenda, Cheryl and Colette provided some of the highlights for them from the Women’s Retreat.

As well there was comments regarding the Rally in Vancouver for the Coast Hotel employees. One member mentioned she enjoyed meeting women from all of the regions. Colette had only received positive comments. There is another Rally that is being held in Nanaimo at the Coast Bastion Inn on Friday October 16, 2009. All members welcome to come out and show their support.

Elections

Kay mentioned the various roles in a Regional Women’s Committee.   They consist of a chair, a co-chair, a treasurer and a secretary and then the members at large.

Virginia Vaillancourt volunteered to run as Chair of the Committee.    She was elected through acclamation.

Mandi Schubert volunteered to run as Co-Chair of the Committee.    She was elected through acclamation.

Brenda Esplen volunteered to run as Treasurer.    She was elected through acclamation.

Dyan Day volunteered to run as Secretary.    She was elected through acclamation.

Women’s Forum:

The PSAC National Women’s Program is holding consultations across the country on two important priorities of the PSAC – pay equity and child care. The Vancouver consultation will take place on Thursday, November 5th and Friday, November 6th at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Patty Ducharme, the National Executive Vice-President, and AndréeCôté, the Women’s Program Officer, will attend the forums designed for women activists in our Union.

An all day forum on pay equity will take place on November 5th followed by a reception with representatives from women’s groups and women activists from other unions. The pay equity forum will provide information sharing, capacity training, and a consultation on local and provincial strategies for our federal pay equity campaign. The half day session on child care on the morning of November 6th will include a discussion of child care issues from national and regional perspectives. The session will also include listening to members’ child care needs and experiences and their suggestions for a PSAC child care campaign.

The forum can accommodate about 25 participants which has been designed for the following women members/activists:

- the B.C. Regional Council Women’s Coordinator and Alternate;

- Regional Women’s Committee activists (one or two from each Committee); and

- other interested PSAC activists interested and involved in women’s issues.

PSAC members/activists who are young mothers are particularly encouraged to attend.

If you are interested in participating in the forum, please send your expression of interest to the PSAC B.C. REVP office by e-mail to Kay Sinclair at sinclak@psac.comor by fax at (604) 430-0194 by 5PM, Thursday, October 15, 2009, and please indicate the following:

- any involvement in a Regional Women’s Committee

- any involvement in women’s groups and/or issues in your community

- any involvement or support for women’s issues in your Local or Component etc.

- interest in further developing your feminist analysis

- commitment to working on a pay equity and/or child care campaign.

Again the deadline for expression of interest is noon, Thursday, October 15th.

December 6 Events:

The newly elected Chair, Virginia Vaillancourt, took over chairing the meeting at this point.   She asked for suggestions regarding the 20^th Anniversary of December 6^th.

- join Clipper Staff – hold a candlelight vigil on Parliament Legislature
- Dawn Black MLA in Vancouver – discussion on women’s issues
- talk to Victim Services about doing a presentation on their services and how they help women in the community
- Women’s Organizations; Transition houses – see what assistance they need ie., blankets, socks, collect toiletries for them; have them come and discuss how they help women who are in need
- Women’s Sexual Assault Centre
- Seniors/older women – issues in coping at home; in LTC facilities, etc
- CLC put together about 20 postcards re Dec 6th; these will be sent to the Women’s Committees and then Women sign them and send them to their MP’s, MLAs

Virginia has sent an email to Nick Humphreys who is a member of the Union of Environment Workers (UEW) Local 20169 and works for Natural Resources Canada at the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria.  Nick is the UEW Regional Vice President for BC/Yukon and the chair of the BC Regional Political Action Committee.  Nick is also an executive member of the Victoria Labour Council. I have asked if he is able to check out for our committee what events the Victoria Labour Council are planning this year to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the 1989 Montreal Massacre.

Virginia has also sent an email to Sarah the contact at the Victoria Clipper to see if I can meet with her to discuss events and combining our efforts.

Next Meeting: Next meeting is scheduled for November 3rd at 5:30 pm

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:23 pm.

PSAC VICTORIA AREA COUNCIL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

MINUTES – September 15, 2009

PSAC Victoria Regional Office

Members Present:

Virginia Vaillancourt – UVAE 20030, Cindy Little – UTE 20028, Ian Wiggs – UNDE 21008, John Vogt – UNDE 21003, Ken Waldron – UNDE 21013, Paul Jones – UNDE 21008, Jim Sidel – DL 05120500, G. Goodmanson– UEW 20169, Peter Neelands – NRU 20088, Nick Humphreys – UEW 20169, Scott Parker – UTE 20028, April Evans – UVAE 20030, Betty Gunville – CIU 20042, Robert Nyst – UNDE 21008, Jim Sidel – DCL 05120500, Pete Wills – UEW 20076, Wayne Little – UTE 20028

PSAC Victoria RO Staff Present:

James Little – PSAC Rep

Guests:

Regrets: Dave Jackson – PSAC Regional Rep, Noelle Arnold – AGR 20064, Bernadette Israel – GSU 20001, Anita Hoffman – CEIU 20975

Read the rest of the minutes here or download a PDF of Victoria Area Council AGM minutes.

Sister Cindy Little                                                        Virginia Vaillancourt

President                                                                         Recording Secretary

Happy Saturday sisters and brothers,

Just a quick update. Our meeting with Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance and the sisters from the Philippine Women Centre was very successful. We heard about the great work being done by these organizations and shared about the work we are doing on the minimum wage, Wal Mart and other fronts. There was a keen interest from both sides in working more closely together and having future meetings. A contact list was collected and a group picture taken which I will send around when I get it. All in all it was very positive.

Find out more about these organizations here:

We were also payed a visit by an organizer from the On to Ottawa Trek historical society who told us about that very important event in the history of the Canadian working class. The VDLC is among others working to commemorate this event on its 75th anniversary next year.

Visit the On to Ottawa Society website here: http://www.ontoottawa.ca/

Finally, today a group of us went to Oakridge to campaign for the $10 NOW campaign. It was a lot of fun and you can’t walk a foot at Oakridge right now without seeing a sticker or poster calling for an increase to the minimum wage. I think we were definitely noticed by workers and shoppers alike – not to mention management.

I’m sure there will be lots coming up throughout October but for the moment the next event in the works is an important action for the minimum wage campaign taking place on November 1st. Details are on the way – but mark your calendar!

In solidarity,
Stephen

Negotiations for a first collective agreement between GlobeGround Fuel Services Inc. and the Public Service Alliance of Canada resumed October 14 and 15, 2009. The parties had originally agreed to also meet on October 16. However, the employer once again cancelled an already agreed to date without much notice to the Union.

Progress was slow. At the end of the two (2) day session, the parties had agreed, in principle, to two (2) articles dealing with the following issues:

• Joint Consultation
• Classification and Job Descriptions

Progress was made on some other non-monetary issues. Monetary issues were identified and will be dealt with later in the process.

The next session is scheduled for November 26 and 27, 2009

This new unit of 22 members was certified as a bargaining unit by the Canada Industrial Relations Board on March 16, 2009. Some of their duties include the supervision of approximately 80 fuelers and fueling related workers at the Vancouver International Airport as well as administrative duties related to inventory, accounts payable etc.

The second negotiation session for a first collective agreement between ARINC International of Canada and the Public Service Alliance of Canada was held October 7 and 8, 2009.

The beginning of the session was encouraging. The employer addressed all bargaining proposals the Union had tabled at the first session in August. Some responses showed signs of progress. Unfortunately, progress slowed down on the second day. In the end, the parties have reached agreement in principle on the following issues:

• Purpose and Scope of the Agreement
• Recognition clause
• No Discrimination
• Compassionate Care Leave
• Arbitration
• Professional Membership Fees
• Agreement Reopener

(more…)

Sisters and Brothers,

PSAC is providing two valuable tools for all our health and safety activists in response to the release of the 2009 Spring Report of the Auditor General. The report highlights the government’s widespread failure to comply with key requirements of the Treasury Board’s Standard for Fire Safety Planning and Fire Emergency Organization as well as the Canada Labour Code, Part II.

The Auditor General issued a very troublesome report indicating that the federal government is failing to ensure the safety of thousands of workers and the public by not properly enforcing fire safety rules and regulations.

The first document is entitled: “Tools for Workplace Actions” (pdf) and provides a complete list of all the important players in the field of Fire safety planning and fire emergency organization. The second document is entitled: “Employer Compliance Checklist” (pdf) and should be used to ensure that your employer is in compliance with the law and the Treasury Board Standard. PSAC representatives that are members of workplace health and safety committees, or have been appointed as health and safety representatives, should request from the employer a copy of the Fire Safety Plan.

We hope that these two documents will be of great assistance in pointing out violations in your workplace. We also included tips on how you can seek enforcement of these very important fire safety provisions.

(more…)

source: The Telegram (St. John’s), Wednesday, October 14, 2009, p. A6

Those in the business of sounding warnings and being alert to danger are looking very carefully at a statement issued on Sept. 30 by Gail Shea, the federal minister responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard, putting the brakes on the controversial plan to de-staff lighthouses in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The minister has ordered a review and while the review is going on, no staff will be removed from light stations. The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents the lightkeepers and while we are glad the plan has been put on hold, we feel no great sense of relief, for several reasons.

It is obvious Gail Shea’s office was deluged with complaints – the minister described it as “concerns raised by a variety of stakeholders” – and the government doesn’t want the bad publicity. But instead of saying the plan to remove staff from all lighthouses is a poor one and will be scrapped, she wants more information about what she calls “the additional services provided by lighthouse staff.” After the review, if it is shown that staff (human beings) are necessary to deliver services, Minister Shea says “this option will receive full consideration.”

We are worried that the so-called review is nothing more than a delaying tactic and, after it is done, lightkeepers will be reassigned as was planned all along. The automated lights will be on, but nobody will be home.

(more…)

The fuelers working for Globe Ground Fuel Services at YVR, have voted overwhelmingly to join the PSAC. The fuelers will join the fueler supervisors who recently certified with PSAC. Both groups will become members of the UCTE local 20221 at YVR. The organizers would like to thank Dave Clark, local President, Jason Salchert, Vice President, the members of local 20221 and the inside organizing committee for their hard work in this campaign.

The organizing drive was a raid on the PPWC, a non CLC affiliated union and lasted 8 months. Due to some interesting legal turns, we were forced to make two separate applications to the CIRB. Many thanks to Shannon Blatt, Legal officer for PSAC for the handling of the legal issues.

Certification for the unit is expect to be granted within a few weeks. In the mean time, we will be preparing for negotiations.

We can’t fight poverty without Quality Public Services

The Public Service Alliance of Canada invites you to stand together in unity with millions of people around the world to send a message to our leaders that we must STAND UP and TAKE ACTION in support of the eradication of extreme poverty.

Poverty, hunger, illiteracy & disease are world-wide problems. Quality public services support equality, take care of our most vulnerable citizens, provide access to health care, enhance economic opportunity and educate our youth.

Last year, more than 116 million people in 100 countries, nearly 2% of the world’s population, stood up to remind world leaders of their promise to cut extreme poverty by half by 2015. But while the clock is ticking, action is not being taken fast enough.

Visit www.standagainstpoverty.org/take-action to find out how to get involved or register an event …

If you are organizing a Stand Up event in Canada, we want to hear from you!

Contact: Janet St. Jean – stjeanj@psac-afpc.com – at the PSAC Social Justice Fund

VANCOUVER ISLAND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MEETING, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

In attendance:

GUESTS:  Doug Connell, Infocus Rehabilitation Services, Lynn McCay, Literacy Victoria

ASL & SIGNED ENGLISH INTERPRETERS:  MARY BUTTERFIELD & MARY WARNER

COMMITTEE:  MICHAEL DOERFLER, PAUL JONES, VIRGINIA VAILLANCOURT, CINDY LITTLE, WENDY BRUCE (FORMERLY DOBBIE – SHE HAS LEGALLY CHANGED BACK TO HER MAIDEN NAME), MARK MCCAVOUR, M. M., MANDI SCHUBERT and I believe that was all committee members there.

REGRETS:  ANITA HOFFMAN & DAVE JACKSON

STAFF:  JAMES LITTLE

Meeting Convened 5:35 PM

1. Guest Speaker:

Lynn McCay from Literacy Victoria and Douglas Connell from Infocus Rehabilitation Services presented to the committee a presentation on the services that Victoria Literacy Provides and the funding cuts that are affecting their operations.

Literacy Victoria is a free service that is provided to Adults.

Lynn provided the following alarming statistics:

• 48 percent of adults in Canada are below a basic reading level.
• 40% ( 1 million) of adults in BC do not have a proper level of literacy.

Literacy Victoria provides free services such as Tutor-Learner Partnerships. Tutors and learners are matched according to each others set of skills, personalities, etc. Lynn discussed that many people with literary deficiencies cannot even read the sign for Literacy Victoria and therefore that basic kill in being able to identify that resource for help is a barrier to those who need assistance.

Lynn went on to discuss the Outreach Program where a movie night is held. This provides a safe non-judgmental environment for people to come and network and socialize together.

Lynn went on to discuss a Pilot Group who hopefully will help in the medical field. The Program is called Health Literacy. The pilot group consists of a physician, medical assistant, a learner, a tutor and the program coordinator. The goal is to hopefully identify literacy issues, even when a patient is hiding their deficiencies.

Lynn went on to discuss that Free Camosun College Programs are offered at Literacy Victoria. These programs are prepatory programs that help the learner work towards qualifying for College Level Programs.

Lynn discussed another program called the Essential Skills and Workforce Literacy Pilot Project, It is a program where it is a literacy based employment program where learners are provided with skills and support for entry level positions with local employers involved in the project.If successful, this program could go Canada Wide due to the fact that the program is funded federally.

Lynn discussed that though these programs are well funded, substantial cuts under a separate budget that relies on provincial funding has been impacted for Core Operational costs. For the first time in 20 years of service, Literacy Victoria has had to start a waitlist for potential learners.Literacy Victoria needs more tutors to help meet the demand for tutor services.Staff have been cut to 4 days a week. and are staggering their days off, so that the doors can remain open as much as possible.

Lynn and Doug then fielded questions from the committee. Some committee members were able to contribute their own experiences with this subject.

Speaker Ended 6:35 PM

Break

Meeting reconvened  6:45 PM

2. Previous Minutes: Request for Correction to Date of Previous Meeting  Moved: Michael Seconded: Paul Carried : All

3. Terms of Reference

The committee discussed the Terms of Reference. Clarification is needed to the role of Equity Seeking Council Members on the PSACBC Regional Council. Mandi commented that we have also 2 Regional Coordinators for South Island and they represent all PSAC Members not specific to any equity seeking group.

The Committee agreed that the Terms of Reference Committee will meet with Dave to discuss TOR concerns and include Garry Fraser, Staff Resource Person to find out what the Mainland Committee is doing around this subject.

Mandi inquired about the delegate status to Convention. Cindy and James confirmed that it is PSAC Regional Convention that we have delegate status to.

4. Banner

The committee agreed that a new banner would be a good investment to promote the VIHRC. The committee agreed that the winning logo would be on the banner. The committee discussed possibilities in the type of banner that was needed. The committee agreed that Michael and Mark will work on costing.

5. Logo Contest

The committee agreed that we will move forward and announce the Logo Contest. We agreed that we will follow the same guidelines as the Area Council and Health and Safety Committee. It was agreed that Paul will email Patrick to promote this logo contest and that Rosemary will also be approached to share our logo contest with Island Members.

6. Pride Parade:

Paul thanked everyone for their participation in the parade and discussed that next year he would like to emphasize Victoria at Pride.

7. Banking

The committee agreed that an account with Community Savings was a good idea and we would approach Virginia to invite a bank representative to do the paperwork. We were very excited about our 500.00 seed money.It was agreed that we would like Rosemary to be a signer on the account. Mandi stated that there should be at least 3 signers to cover off holidays, etc

8. Medical and Dental Leave

Mandi briefly discussed that the new TBS policy was impacting members all over. She discussed that we are awaiting on a legal opinion from the PSAC.

In the meantime, Mandi discussed that Duty to Accommodate grievances can and should be filed as grievances pave the way to changing the Collective Agreement.Even if the grievances are deemed invalid, it is still a headache for management and they will be at least forced to look at each situation on its own merits.

Mandi also provided to the committee (with thanks to the RO for their support) Duty to Accommodate information as well as a educational document produced by the PSAC. This document can be used in grievances as well.

9. Furniture-Duty to Accommodate

James provided documentation as a local tool that can be used to show that Ergonomic Furniture and Equipment can be transferred to your new federal workplace regardless of which department purchased it.

Next Meeting: October 29, 2009, 5:00 PM

Annonuncing the VIHRC logo creation contest! Enter your logo today …

Come up with a creative logo that best describes the VIHRC in a visual way.  This logo could be used on all VIHRC promotions, posters and correspondences internally or externally either in workplaces or outside of workplaces.

Why a logo?  It is confirmed that a logo creates the familiarity of what an organization is all about or a product you are getting.  For example, when you see a logo for hockey team, Vancouver Canucks.  It hits home for you (if you are a local fan).  So you know what you are getting or have a sense of ‘belonging’ to.  Other example is a product such as Coke.  When you see Coke, you know what it will taste like… you know what it is about and it perhaps makes you feel good when you see the logo of Coke.  Let’s do that with the VIHRC logo.  Let’s make people who belong to any of designated groups i.e. Persons with Disabilities feel like they belong to VIHRC and that VIHRC represents them!

Any PSAC-BC member can participate in the logo contest.  Bonus points will be awarded if the member is from a local that is affiliated with the VIHRC.

Please submit entries electronically by November 2nd, 2009 to the PSAC Victoria Regional Office: mackenr@psac-afpc.com or jacksod@psac-afpc.com . Call (250) 953-1050 or  1-866-953-1050 for more information.

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Fisheries Minister Gail Shea has ordered a review of Canadian Coast Guard plans to automate lighthouses in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

It’s the second time in two decades a strong backlash has stalled the coast guard’s effort to de-staff light stations along the west and northeast coasts. In a statement released Wednesday, Shea said safety concerns have been raised by a number of parties over the gradual de-staffing of light stations in the two provinces, so no more automation will take place until the review is complete.

(more…)

Vancouver Area Council Minutes, August 24, 2009

Attending: Alison Timmins, Monica Urrutia, Sam Wiese, Jamey Mills, James Painter, Deanna Wilson, Sharon Tieman, Rhonda Johns, Megan Adam

continue reading below or download the Vancouver & District Area Council meeting minutes, Aug 24 2009 (pdf)

1) Motion to accept minutes from previous meeting: Jamey/Sharon – accepted.

2) Summer Student: Alison Timmins reported on the students in the federal government campaign – introduced the petition and distributed materials.

3) CoDev AGM – discussed, some members from the Area Council will attend.

4) Labour Day Picnic – Monica – discussion about activities at Vancouver Labour Day which has been moved to Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park. Decided to play “spot the public services game” at the table, with psac prizes and café etico coffee as the grand prize. Megan to arrange coffee, Monica to arrange large public service pictures for the table. $100 donation to Labour Day Picnic agreed to – moved by Jamey/Rhonda.

5) Health & Safety Convention resolution re: JLP and H&S training. Discussed and no resolution passed by the VAC.

6) Vancouver District Labour Council discussed, Local 20147 will be applying for monies from the VAC for participation in the VDLC.

7) Bruce Ogilvie – stepping down from the VAC executive due to workplace transfer. Wishes the council a hearty farewell and would like to continue involvement.

Next Meeting & AGM

• September 22 – Next meeting will focus on planning of the AGM
• October 27th – Scheduled AGM.
  • Regional Council meeting report
  • Resolutions/amendments to bylaws have to be in by September 30th
  • Jamey & Megan to meet for work on Bylaws – believe there to be some outstanding issues from last AGM.
  • Discussion about agenda including speakers on public services vs. the Olympics. The Olympics: At What Cost? Housing and the Olympics.

9) Roundtable.

source: The Globe and Mail

Some Chinese-Canadians who saw Campus Giveaway never forgot their reaction

The television segment lasted about 11 minutes, an exposé of the takeover of Canadian classrooms by foreign students.

A section of a university lecture hall filled with non-white faces was shown.

The documentary, which aired on television 30 years ago this month, had unintended consequences.

It awoke what had been, until then, a silent community.

A history of the Chinese in Canada includes such benchmarks as building the railroad; defending against rioters in 1907; paying the head tax; enduring the Exclusion Act; bravely contributing to the war effort; gaining the franchise in 1947; and, oddly enough, protesting against a single episode of a current-events television program.

Some who watched back then have never forgotten their initial reaction.

Victor Wong was studying science at the University of British Columbia when Campus Giveaway aired on the popular program W5 (today known as W-Five ).

“It touched many of us,” he said Tuesday. “The message was: Because of your skin colour, or your ethnic heritage, you don’t belong here. You’re just taking up someone’s space.”

Sid Tan was also studying at UBC in 1979.

“They were calling a bunch of Canadians foreigners. It was quite disgusting and quite off the mark,” he said. “I remember it as a galvanizing experience.”

Anthony Chan, a communications professor born in Victoria, recalls the shock.

“We’re going, ‘Huh?! They’re saying we’re foreigners. They can’t be serious.’ ”

The report alleged that Canadian students were being prevented from studying medicine and engineering because foreign students were occupying their rightful place in university classrooms. Much of the segment focused on the plight of a student from Ontario who was thwarted in her aspiration to study pharmacy at the University of Toronto.

Joseph Wong missed the episode when it originally aired on Sept. 30, 1979. He was completing a residency at a hospital when he watched Campus Giveaway on a videotape a few weeks later.

“My reaction was so vigorous I’ll never forget it,” he said. “How could this happen in Canada? We’re living in a country without discrimination, I thought.”

He had already booked tickets for a flight to Calgary to visit his mother-in-law. He brought with him the videotape, which he showed at a meeting on New Year’s Eve, 1979, in Calgary, and on New Year’s Day, 1980, in Edmonton. He then flew to Vancouver for a showing four days later.

The tape made the rounds to small audiences in Regina, Ottawa, and Montreal, as well as in smaller Ontario cities such as Waterloo and Sarnia.

A community known for “not wanting to ruffle any feathers,” in Dr. Wong’s words, formed Ad Hoc Committees of the Council of Chinese Canadians Against W5 in 16 cities, from Victoria to Halifax.

In late January, four simultaneous protest marches were held. About 2,000 marched on CTV’s offices. “Red, brown, black, yellow and white,” they chanted, “all Canadians must unite.”

The protesters were told Canadian universities had only 85 foreign medical students, 66 of them from the United States.

As well, university officials disputed W5 ’s numbers, stating the number of foreign and visa students had been multiplied by a factor of five.

Even 30 years later, Dr. Wong is baffled by the airing of footage in which any Asian face was presumed to be non-Canadian.

“All the yellow-coloured students they showed were [naturalized] Canadians, landed immigrants or permanent residents, or local-born Chinese Canadians,” he said.

The committee had identified all of the unnamed students shown in the report. Not one was a foreign student.

W5 aired an on-air apology that tiptoed around the committee’s complaints.

It was rejected by the committee. Finally, in April, CTV issued a statement Globe columnist Dick Beddoes described as “a retraction, an apology, a confession of error, a disorderly retreat.”

Murray Chercover, the network’s president and managing director, wrote: “Right after the program was broadcast our critics – particularly Chinese-Canadians and the universities – criticized the program as racist: they were right, although it was never our intention to produce a racist program.

“There is no doubt that the distorted statistics combined with visual presentation, made the program appear racist in tone and effect.”

With the apology came the offer to fill an 11-minute segment on an upcoming W5 episode.

It aired in December. A survey of 25 job placement agencies found 17 casually agreeing to send only Caucasian employees, while only three flatly refused a request violating provincial and federal laws. The segment was titled, White and Bright .

“It was a beautiful victory,” Dr. Wong said.

Mr. Chan, who is now a professor at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology at Oshawa, traces his own family roots in Canada to the arrival of his grandfather in 1881. His mother was born in Vancouver, his father, like himself, in Victoria. He devoted a chapter of his book Gold Mountain (New Star, 1983) to the W5 scandal.

In retrospect, he sees 1979 as a pivotal year for the Chinese-Canadian community. Many had been working on the resettlement of the Vietnamese boat people, most of them ethnic Chinese, at the time Campus Giveaway was aired.

“It was time,” he said. “Things just coalesced. Thank you very much, W5 .”

The politics have reverberated in the 30 years since, as Chinese-Canadians won election to Vancouver city council, to the mayoralty of Victoria, to the Legislature and to Parliament. Some active in the W5 protests have gone on to become filmmakers, provincial-court judges, and activists in the campaign for redress of the hated head tax.

At the time of the protests, Dr. Wong, a landed immigrant, was identified in a newspaper story as someone who had “yet to become a Canadian.” He immediately filled out the requisite paperwork. He looks forward next year to celebrating 30 years as a proud citizen of what he calls “the fairest society on Earth.”

The tentative agreement reached with Purolator Courier Ltd. on August 19, 2009, was ratified by the membership on September 27, 2009. Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of the agreement have force and effect on the date of ratification.

Highlights of the four year agreement, set to expire December 31, 2012, include:

• Economic increases of 3.0, 3.0, 3.25, and 3%
• Special equity adjustments for all classifications and levels of 2% in January 2011, and a further 2.5 % in January 2012
• Improvements to vacation leave for long-time employees
• Improvements to the pension plan and benefits plan
• Increased coverage for generic prescription drugs, basic dental care, and vision care.

The bargaining team would like to thank all members of the Local for their support during negotiations.

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Date: October 14, 2009

Time:    5:30 P.M.

Location: PSAC Boardroom, 210-1497 Admirals Rd., Victoria, BC

The agenda will include:

• Elections – Chair (s), Treasurer, Secretary
• Report from the Women’s Retreat

Please R.S.V.P as food will be provided. Email Rosemary at: mackenr@psac.com