CEO Update - December 2017

Public Sector Employers’ Council Meeting

Minister of Finance Carol James recently chaired the first meeting of the Public Sector Employers’ Council in almost a decade, hosting all employers associations’ Board chairs, Ministers and Deputy Ministers from across the public sector. The government emphasized its three priorities of affordability; improving services; and the building of a sustainable economy for all British Columbians. CSSEA was represented by Vice Chair Fernando Coelho and myself, and we outlined the major challenges and opportunities facing the social services sector including recruitment and retention, the wage gap with other public sectors, occupational health and safety, non-provincially funded programs and the challenges that different funding methodologies present to our members. Minister James also focused on the province’s economic outlook and what it means for the next round of collective bargaining. Union representatives from across the public sector joined the group for the last part of the meeting. 

Funders Meeting

CSSEA recently hosted the 2018/19 Collective Agreement Funders Meeting in Vancouver, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Child and Family Development, Community Living BC, Public Sector Employers’ Council, BC Housing and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (the Ministry of Health was not in attendance and will receive a copy of our presentation). The meeting focused on upcoming Collective Agreement cost increases, including health and statutory benefits and pension and wage increases. In addition, we provided feedback on the funding challenges a number of members face, particularly with delays in the flow of annual funding increases and the lack of new funding for excluded and non-union employees. We also updated the group on various projects and initiatives that are being undertaken by the sector to mitigate the increasing costs of benefits and WorkSafeBC rates. A copy of the presentation is available on the CSSEA website. 

New Wage Grids Released

CSSEA recently released updated wage grids for Aboriginal Services, Community Living Services and General Services divisions, as well as Aboriginal Services Delegated Programs. The wage grids incorporate the recently announced 0.4% Economic Stability Dividend (ESD) and 1% general wage increase, which will come into effect on February 1, 2018 for AS, GS and CLS bargaining unit employees and February 4, 2018 for AS delegated positions. Members with questions on applying the increases are asked to contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. …

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CEO Update - November 2017

2017 AGM and Conference

We thank all who attended our 2017 AGM and Conference, Strength in Diversity, and for contributing to making it a success. Available workshop presentations have been uploaded onto the conference website. We congratulate our 2017 Awards of Excellence recipients and invite members to view the video vignettes of each recipient on our awards website. Those who have not filled out the conference evaluations that were emailed to attendees at the end of each day can still do so until November 30. General comments can also be sent to Doris Sun, Manager of Communications, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . We look forward to seeing you at the 2018 AGM and Conference, taking place October 9-11, in Vancouver at the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel.

2017-2019 Board and Panels

The 2017-2019 Board and Panel members were selected at CSSEA’s recent Annual General Meeting in Kelowna. We are pleased to announce your divisional and board representatives (Note: newly elected and newly appointed members’ names are in bold):

Aboriginal Services
Chair - Bernadette Spence, Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services Society
Kathleen Bennett, Executive Director, Northwest Inter-Nation Family and Community Services Society
Lyndale George, Co-Executive Director, Haida Child and Family Services Society
Colleen Lucier, Executive Director, Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family & Community Services Society
Judy Smith, Executive Director, La Société de les Enfants Michif (Métis Family Services)
Colleen Spier, Executive Director Island Métis Family & Community Services Society
Karen Wainwright, Co-Executive Director, Haida Child and Family Services Society

Community Living Services
Chair, Tammy Khanna, Executive Director, Independent Living Housing Society of Greater Victoria
Vice Chair, Dawn Hein, Executive Director, Mission Association for Community Living
Janice Barr, Executive Director, Richmond Society for Community Living
Fernando Coelho, Chief Executive Officer, posAbilities Association of British Columbia
Tony Laing, Executive Director, Penticton & District Society for Community Living
Tanya Sather, Executive Director, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion
Ellen Tarshis, Executive Director, Victoria Association for Community Living
Julie Unger, Executive Director, Chilliwack Society for Community Living

General Services
Chair - Diane Entwistle, Chief Executive Officer, Okanagan Boys & Girls Clubs
Vice Chair - Rod Santiago, Executive Director, Abbotsford Community Services Society
Sanjay Gulati, Executive Director, Mission Community Services Society
Deborah Joyce, Executive Director, District 69 Family Resource Association
Vicki Kipps, Executive Director, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services
Judy Valsonis, Executive Director, Touchstone Family Association
Lois Wynne, Executive Director, Sea to Sky Community Services Society
David Young, Executive Director, Sources Community Resources Society…

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CEO Update - October 2017

2017 CSSEA AGM and Conference – Final Days to Register

Registration for this year’s AGM and Conference, Strength in Diversity, will be closing at noon on Friday, October 20. If you plan on attending and have not yet registered, do so soon, as many sessions are nearing capacity. In addition to the dynamic program, we are excited to celebrate our four BC Community Social Services Awards of Excellence recipients at a Luncheon on October 25. Register online and we look forward to seeing you in Kelowna.

Election of 2019 Bargaining Committee

The 2019 Bargaining Committee will be elected at the upcoming AGM on October 24 so we can be ready in the event bargaining commences in 2018. At the direction of CSSEA’s panels at its recent meeting, we remind members of the criteria that makes an ideal Bargaining Committee member, aside from experience in the social services sector. They are:

• Ability to listen calmly, without getting caught up in emotional arguments;
• Ability to work well under stress and tight deadlines;
• Broad thinker who can see alternative points of view;
• Ability to handle periods of waiting, which inevitably occurs in bargaining ;
• Comfort with being away from the agency; and
• Good health…

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CEO Update - September 2017

Congratulations to Awards of Excellence Recipients

CSSEA recently announced recipients of the 2017 Awards of Excellence, which will be presented at our AGM and Conference next month at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna. I am delighted to congratulate our four outstanding recipients:

Rising Star - Damian Brennan, Chilliwack Society for Community Living
Hero – Paulina Weslowski, Semiahmoo House Society
Leader – Kelly Kelland, Interior Community Services
Legend – Diane Entwistle, Okanagan Boys & Girls Clubs

We invite you to help us celebrate our nominees, winners and the great work being done in the sector by attending the awards luncheon on October 25 at noon. Registration for the luncheon and conference can be completed online or via telephone at: 604.687.7220 or toll free at: 1.800.377.3340.…

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CEO Update - August 2017

Employment Program Positions

A meeting took place in June to discuss employment program positions and CSSEA’s proposal to the union for the April 1, 2018 comparability and classification anomaly distribution. Prior to the meeting, 30 agencies were engaged to begin a discussion on the Employment Specialist and other Vocational/Employment program positions and benchmarks. This resulted in the recommendation for CSSEA to update the Vocational Counsellor benchmark and propose a higher grid level, so a small working group will be created to assist with that.

The revised benchmark and proposed higher grid level will form part of CSSEA’s proposal to the Union when the parties meet to discuss the April 1, 2018 comparability and classification anomaly distribution.

HR Practitioners Meeting

The next HR Practitioners’ Meeting will be taking place September 15, from 10 am to 3 pm, on the 11th floor of 555 Burrard Street in Vancouver. Among the topics will be a discussion on the legalization of marijuana, privacy in the workplace and updates on the Early Intervention Program. Registration for the event can be completed online.…

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CEO Update - July 2017

Summer Greetings

As another school year wraps up and members prepare for time off, I would like to wish everyone a safe and restful summer, as the fall with a new government promises to be exciting. As we wind down for summer I would like to highlight the following housekeeping items and remind members to register for the AGM and Conference, where we will be selecting our 2019 Bargaining Committee.

Past Due: 2017 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey

The 2017 Compensation and Employee Turnover Survey is now past due and those who have not yet completed their surveys are asked to do so as soon as possible. Questions related to survey completion can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Gender Expression and Identity

Members may recall a July 2016 amendment to the Human Rights Code that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. While there has so far been no decision from the Human Rights Tribunal on what the recent changes mean, the Tribunal recently posted brief definitions of both ‘identity’ and ‘expression.’…

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CEO Update - June 2017

2017 AGM and Fall Conference

Registration for this year’s AGM and Fall Conference, “Strength in Diversity,” is now open. The conference will be taking place at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna from October 24-26. Highlights of this year’s exciting program include keynote speaker Mark Brand, the election of the 2019 Bargaining Committee and a plenary session on HRLR issues. Details on the full program, speakers and hotel reservations can be found on our conference website. We look forward to welcoming all delegates to the Okanagan.

Provincial Election Update

The BC Legislature is scheduled to be recalled on June 22, when the first order of business will be to elect a Speaker and hold a confidence vote. Given the continued uncertainty in our province’s government, I don’t anticipate developments that would immediately impact our sector until the Fall, and will continue to monitor any news as it arises.…

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CEO Update - May 2017

Virus/Ransomware Advisory – Action Required

Members may have read about the global ransomware campaign known as “WCry,” “Wana,” “WCrypt,” “WanaDecryptor” or “WanaCry.” This ransomware impacts all versions of Windows before Windows 10 and those who do not update their software are at risk of having all files on an infected computer and network encrypted and recoverable only by restoring from a backup. To protect your networks, please ensure all systems are up to date with Windows updates and antivirus.

For Windows (7, 8.1, 10) and Windows Server (2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 r2): Run Windows update on your computer to ensure you’ve installed the recent Microsoft Monthly Security Rollup updates.

For Windows XP, Windows 8 and Windows Server 2003: If your product is “custom support only” and no longer receives updates, download and install this link.…

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CEO Update - April 2017

Enhanced Criteria for Determining Benefits Equivalency

The January issue of my report notified members about a decision by Arbitrator Wayne Moore on the ongoing equivalency of benefit providers, specifically, concerns about some providers not being willing or able to provide the benefits agreed upon in the collective agreements. As directed by Arbitrator Moore, and in an ongoing effort to safeguard members’ choice of benefit providers, ensure new providers can deliver on the terms of the collective agreement and to protect members from financial risk, CSSEA and the CSSBA met and agreed to strengthen the process for evaluating equivalency.

A new potential benefit provider must now give notice to both CSSEA and the CSSBA and request a review under the new equivalency process. This will allow CSSEA to conduct an independent assessment on whether the provider will comply with Article 27 and Information Appendix A of the sectoral collective agreements, as well as adhere to CSSEA’s data reporting requirements. In addition, a third party consultant will review the underwriting model and provide a recommendation on the level of risk for the member(s) and sector.

The new equivalency process was discussed and endorsed at the March Board and Panel meetings and came into effect on March 31. CSSEA is asking any agency who is contacted by a benefit provider not yet deemed equivalent to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before purchasing any benefits.…

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CEO Update - March 2017

Nominations for Awards of Excellence Now Open

We are now accepting nominations for our third annual BC Community Social Services Awards of Excellence and encourage anyone who knows an outstanding individual working in the sector to put their names forward. Aside from ensuring that dedication is recognized, the awards are a meaningful way to build organizational pride. For full details on the awards and nomination process, visit our Awards Website. Nominations will be accepted until April 19.

Election of 2019 Bargaining Committee

CSSEA’s Board and Panels met in Vancouver last week. The Board reviewed and approved the housekeeping changes to CSSEA’s Constitution and Bylaws and Board Policies, as required under the new Societies Act. The Constitution and Bylaws will be presented for final approval at CSSEA’s AGM on October 24, 2017 in Kelowna.

The Board and Panels also endorsed the election of the 2019 Employer Bargaining Committee at the AGM. Those interested in sitting on the Bargaining Committee are asked to contact their respective division chairs.…

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