General Notes
On-line registration is available through the Member Portal for all alternates listed on the Local Credential Form submitted by the Local President. Registration on the Member Portal will allow you to request a hotel room, childcare and/or a time-off letter (if authorized by your Local). The deadline for all requests is March 14, 2025.
Hotel Rooms
Alternates attending Convention must register using the Member Portal to specify the length of stay and bed preference (one or two beds).
The rate at all hotels, excluding taxes, is $325 for a single room. A receipt is required.
Alternates are responsible for payment of their hotel room upon check-out and may be reimbursed for their room costs by the Local, if your Local authorizes such reimbursement. Ensure that the receipt you submit with your Local Membership Expense Claim Forms indicates zero balance owing.
Alternates will be booked into one of the following Convention hotels:
- Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front Street West
- Hyatt Regency Toronto, 370 King Street West
- Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen Street West
- Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, 1 Blue Jays Way
- The Westin Harbour Castle, 1 Harbour Square
Check-out time is noon on Sunday. We have arranged with the hotels to leave luggage at the bell captain’s desk.
If you need to cancel your hotel room, you must contact the Conference and Travel Unit (conferencesandtravel@opseu.org) at least 72 hours before expected arrival. If you do not cancel, you will be responsible for paying for the room.
Parking
Only one of the following parking options can be used for the duration of the Convention. OPSEU/SEFPO policy does not permit or reimburse expenses for valet parking.
Alternates staying at the Fairmont Royal York, Hyatt Regency Toronto, Intercontinental Toronto Centre, Toronto Marriott City Centre, and The Westin Harbour Castle, must park their vehicle at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Shuttles will be available to take you and your luggage to the hotel.
Please use the specialized link to order your parking pass. Do not use the public link to obtain a regular parking pass. You will only be reimbursed for the negotiated OPSEU/SEFPO rate if you submit a parking receipt and your Local authorizes reimbursement.
The order deadline for the parking pass to be sent to your home address is April 10.
Passes must be purchased by April 24 to be eligible for the discounted rate.
Alternates staying at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel must park at the Green P – Nathan Phillips Square Garage at 110 Queen Street West.
Childcare will be provided on-site for children who are registered in the Member Portal by March 14. To ensure that we maintain proper staff-child ratios, as set out in the OPSEU/SEFPO Child Care Handbook, children must be registered in advance.
Childcare will be provided during the hours of registration, and throughout Convention, with a break for dinner as required. Coverage will continue in the evening. Exact hours will be communicated closer to convention.
All children 16 years and younger accompanying delegates/alternates/observers must be pre-registered and signed in daily at the childcare centre.
Travel Policy
As per OPSEU/SEFPO policy (section 4.2.7.1), the most economical means of transportation must be used.
All alternates are to make their own travel arrangements. You are directed to use unionized providers, where available, as per policy. Please take advantage of the discounts for Via Rail, Park’N Fly and UP Express, which are available on the OPSEU/SEFPO website.
If your Local has agreed to pay for any expenses, please note that Local Membership Expense Claim Forms require itemized receipts with your full name on the receipt.
Advances
If the Local has decided to reimburse you for any expenses, they may also provide an advance. Please contact your Local Treasurer.
Credentials
All local credentials must be submitted to convention@opseu.org by March 25, 2025.
- All locals must submit the Local Credential Form, which must be attested to by two officers of the local.
- Insert union ID number, first name, last name, and ranking of each delegate/alternate/observer.
- Each member attending Convention must register by using the Member Portal. This lets us know if you want a time-off letter, a hotel room or if you require child care.
- If you have accommodation needs, complete the Human Rights Accommodation Request Form and return it to equity@opseu.org. If you already have an approved accommodation, you do not have to submit this form.
- If you don’t have a credential and wish to attend Convention, you must bring your OPSEU/SEFPO union card, together with photo ID, for verification.
If there are any issues with respect to registration at Convention, you must see a member of the Credentials Committee, who will be available in the registration area.
Change in status
If there is a change in status from alternate to delegate, it will be done in order of alternate ranking, e.g., first alternate, second alternate, etc. Any change in delegate status must be authorized by the Credentials Committee at the time of registration.
Cancellation
If you cannot attend Convention, please notify the Convention Office at OPSEU/SEFPO Head Office toll-free (1-800-268-7376 ext. 3269) or by email (convention@opseu.org) as soon as possible.
To cancel your hotel reservation, you must contact the Conferences and Travel Unit at conferencesandtravel@opseu.org at least 72 hours before expected arrival. If you do not cancel, you will still be responsible for paying for the room.
Convention Hours
- Thursday, April 24 9am – 5pm
- Friday, April 25 9am – 5pm
- Saturday, April 26 9am – 5pm
- Sunday, April 27 9am – 12pm
Time-off Letters
Time-off letters will only be issued for alternates if the Local’s TARs are up to date, and the local submits the rebate form to deduct wages from their rebate.
Time-off requests must be submitted through the Member Portal by March 14. Please see the guide below for specific instructions.
Ontario Public Service (OPS)
Specify your ministry, the name of your manager, and their email address.
Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT)
Specify the name of the college.
Broader Public Service (BPS)
The following information must be provided: full name, title, and email address of the appropriate contact person to whom the letter will be addressed. The appropriate contact person will be the director of human resources or equivalent.
Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED)
Please follow the ‘Request for Union Leave’ (RUL) process.