Sector 1 – Ambulance – Paramedic Bargaining Conference – October 7 – 8, 2025

Dear Members,

This is to advise you that the Sector 1 – Ambulance – Paramedic Bargaining Conference has been scheduled. The conference will promote the achievement and maintenance of the highest province-wide standards in the Sector.

Date:

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Hotel:

Pan Pacific Toronto 900 York Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3H2 (416)444-2511

Single rate: $189 +taxes

Meeting Room: 155 Lesmill Road (Room A1), Toronto, Ontario

Registration:

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 8:30 am – 9:00 am

Parking: $20.00 per vehicle, per day/night

*Note: valet parking receipts are not a reimbursable claim.

Please note: This is a hybrid event. If you elect to attend virtually, one week prior to the event a Zoom link with instructions will be sent to you. No expenses outside of time off (if required) will be reimbursed unless otherwise pre-approved. Meals for virtual participants are not covered. To inquire about pre-approval, please email conferencesandtravel@opseu.org.

Delegate Entitlement

According to Article 2.3 of the Ambulance Division Negotiating Procedures, each paramedic bargaining unit in the Division shall be entitled to send two delegates to the Paramedic Bargaining Conference as per the following formula:

Where the bargaining unit is a single-unit local, the Local President (or in their absence, the Local Vice-President) shall be the automatic first delegate. For all other bargaining units, the highest-ranking officer in the bargaining unit shall be the automatic first delegate. Where the bargaining team has been established, the second delegate shall be elected by the bargaining team. Where the bargaining team has not been established, the second delegate shall be elected by fifty per cent (50%) plus one (1) of the valid ballots cast at a general membership meeting of the unit.

In bargaining units with both paramedic and ACO membership, the Local President (or in their absence, the Local Vice-President) shall be the automatic first delegate. If there are no paramedic members on the bargaining team or if the bargaining team has not been established, the second delegate, being a paramedic, shall be elected by fifty per cent (50%) plus one (1) of the valid ballots cast at a general membership meeting of the unit.

According to Article 2.4, bargaining units may also elect alternates up to the number of delegates to which it is entitled. Attendance by alternates at the Bargaining Conference shall be at the expense of their local, except where they are replacing a delegate who is unable to attend. Alternates shall have voice but no vote, and shall be identified separately from delegates, unless the alternate is replacing a delegate in which case the alternate shall have full delegate status.

According to Article 2.5, the Division Executive shall also be delegates in their own right, in addition to their delegate entitlement as determined by Article 2.3.

Credential Attestation Form

The OPSEU/SEFPO Procedures Manual (Section 2.5) states two (2) signatures are required on all delegate credentials. We have provided one form for you to list all attendees on. The Credential Attestation Form must be signed by two (2) Local Officers.

Please clearly identify your status, i.e. Delegate/Alternate/Observer.

Note: other required forms cannot be processed until this form is received.

Any alternate(s) and observers accompanying delegates are at the Local’s expense. Head Office will cover an alternate’s expense ONLY where the alternate attends instead of and in place of the Delegate. Please note that alternates, like delegates, must be elected.

Hotel Room Bookings

In accordance with the OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual (Section 4.2), any member who resides further than 60 kilometers from the event may request that OPSEU/SEFPO make their hotel reservation on their behalf by completing the Hotel Registration section when registering for the event in the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Portal.

OPSEU/SEFPO will be booking all hotel rooms centrally. Delegates will be reimbursed for single room hotel accommodation.

Members are also responsible for payment of their hotel room upon check out as there are no charges billed back to OPSEU/SEFPO. Please save your itemized receipt and submit it with your Membership Expense Claim Form.

Please also notify the Conferences Unit of any special accessibility needs that you may have with respect to your hotel room.

Any additional nights outside of this policy must be pre-approved by the Conferences Unit, regardless of Region or distance from the event.

OPSEU/SEFPO Travel Policy

As per OPSEU/SEFPO policy (Section 4.2 7.1), the most economical means of transportation should be used. All delegates are to make their own travel arrangements. As per OPSEU/SEFPO policy, you are directed to use unionized providers where available. Please note all Membership Expense Claim submissions require itemized receipts.

Human Rights Accommodation Request Form

Should you require a human rights accommodation or have an existing accommodation under the Human Rights Code, please complete and submit the Human Rights Accommodation Request Form in full. Family, Dependent and Attendant Care are covered expenses for this event for those who require it at the event or at home.

OPSEU/SEFPO Child Care Policy

OPSEU/SEFPO undertakes to provide child care services, when requested, at all union educationals, conventions, regional, divisional, and demand-setting meetings where the membership requests at least three weeks prior to the event. Members who bring their children to OPSEU/SEFPO sponsored functions should normally be required to use the on-site child care service if it is available. The three-week notice will ensure adequate time to process advances when requested. If no requests for on-site child care are received three weeks prior to the activity date, child care arrangements for on-site child care may not be made. If members then bring children to the event without the required notice, the member should be responsible for making his/her own child care arrangements.

Procedures for Online Submission of Forms

Members are to complete their Event Registration, Hotel Booking and Child Care Registration through OPSEU/SEFPO’s Member Portal.

Attached you will find the following documentation:

In order to confirm your registration, please submit the respective forms to the appropriate email addresses that are noted in the forms by no later than Monday, September 15, 2025.

We appreciate your participation in these meetings.

In Solidarity,

Joel Usher
Divisional Chair

Authorized for Distribution:

J.P. Hornick
OPSEU/SEFPO President