MINUTES Nov2019

Service Provider Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, November 13, 2019 9:30 am to 11:30 am Location: Prospect at 915 33 Street NE

In Attendance: Erin Waite (Chair), Andrea Hesse, Carlene Chrumka, Dianne Jackson, Norma Wisbling, Helene deKlerk, Donna Jones, Neal Sabourin, Kevin Menin, Heather Porter Sandberg, Clova Lehr, Laura Richeson, Linda Doherty, Bruce Skorobohach, Debbie Johnston, Gerry McCallum, Alexi Davis, Ed Quiring, John Eng, Megan Wilcott, Denise Young, Brain Wansleeben, Stacy Schikowsky, Mylaine Tsaprailis, Ryan Geake, Elaine Yost, Kathryn Melrose 1.0 2.0 None 3.0

Welcome and introductions – Erin Waite, called the meeting to order at 9:30am and welcomed all attendees.

Changes or additions to Agenda

MOTION: Bruce Skorobohach - Approval of the September 2019 Minutes: SECOND: Elaine Yost.

All in favour 4.0 Erin introduced and reviewed the Alberta Government Budget - impacts 4.1 Handout – list of government cuts (page 2) 4.2 Additional cuts, program changes and impacts on individuals, families?

4.3 Bill 207 – Conscience Rights Bill – newgenics? (page 3) Erin suggested Council collect information when members see people falling through the cracks as a result of the recent cuts. These cuts may initially appear random and unconnected, but additional data will show that many individuals are affected by multiple cuts and the impact is significant.

5.0 Council planning – Speaker Series Erin introduced by posing the question: How can we bring the community together?

Elaine Yost mentioned that history provides us with examples of how we can come together as leaders of Service Provider Agencies. No further input or suggestions from other attendees.

6.0 South Region Korn Ferry Project – Salary Data Collection (page 4) - Calgary Region to consider participating – cost between $2,000 - $3,000 ACDS is contributing to the Project, so the maximum it will cost Council to participate will be $2,500.

All Council members will be required to participate and provide information.

Debbie Johnston cited concerns about providing sensitive information and using certain wording that may be harmful to SPAs if documented in a public report.

Kathryn Melrose offered to join Debbie in providing some input to the project coordinator. Ryan and Elaine offered to provide some support and advice as well.

MOTION: Elaine Yost moved that Calgary Service Providers participate in the salary data collection, SECOND: Ryan Geake.

All in favour 7.0 Updates: ACDS – Andrea Hesse mentioned that she recently sent out a detailed CEO update to all members SP Council Executive Committee: Erin Waite (Chair), Alexi Davis (Treasurer), Heather-Anne McGilvary, Helene De Klerk, John Eng, Ryan Geake, Kathryn Melrose, Tracey Reece, Bruce Skorobohach, Elaine Yost

ADWA – no update Update from other Regions - none 8.0

Adjournment at 11:10am: Helene deKlerk moved, SECOND: Heather-Anne McGilvary All in favour.

PDD Calgary Update: Allan Govender and Heather Hansen §

§ § § § § § §

Allan shared that the 7.2-7.3% annual budget increase has already been allocated for current demand/need o The budget will remain the same for this year, then the budget for the following years will remain flat They are currently facing cuts to government spending across the Ministry, meaning if current employees leave, positions will not be filled, and some may be eliminated At this time, Allan and Heather shared they do not have a good idea of what the next four years will hold, but they have a strong indication that the priority will continue to be on front-line staff Regional budget allocations will be known by the end of the month and they are anticipating flat budgets for the next three years The current delays in funding approvals, amendments, etc. are not specific to PDD, but apply to all areas of services When asked about the communication between various PDD departments, Allan responded that he feels there is a “strong interface” between Corporate Finance, Contracting, and Program When asked about any potential changes/updates to the Contract template, Allan shared that he doesn’t anticipate any significant changes to the framework for this coming year Allan mentioned that the overall PDD budget is at one billion dollars and the current perception is that it’s already “well funded”.

NEXT UP: Wed. January 15th – Council Meeting Agendas, minutes, members and info: calgaryserviceprovidercouncil.org

SP Council Executive Committee: Erin Waite (Chair), Alexi Davis (Treasurer), Heather-Anne McGilvary, Helene De Klerk, John Eng, Ryan Geake, Kathryn Melrose, Tracey Reece, Bruce Skorobohach, Elaine Yost

PAGE 2 4.1 Budget Cuts and Impacts – partial list 1. Alberta Lottery Fund –

CIP and other grants going to general revenue, no longer a $1.5 B fund for non profits.

- last data showed $67 mm in one year to Calgary non profits

2. Children’s Services –

Effective April 1, 2020.

Financial supports for youth coming out of care extended to age 24. Because of “low uptake,” top age being reduced to 22.

2,200 young people in program; 550 no longer eligible

3. Children’s Services

Cancelling 450 grants and contracts with 300 organizations that run parent link centres and family resource centres.

Procurement opened for new contracts, with 18% reduction in program dollars. “Some of the money is being spent on newsletters and system navigators,” Minister Schulz said.

Outreach Program cancelled for young women at risk of being sexually exploited. Program implemented by Wood’s, McMann, and Boys and Girls Club. Considered a “misuse of funds.”

3. AISH

Inflation indexing removed. $1,685 per month would have increased by $32 to $1,717.

4. STEP

Youth employment program cancelled.

5. Alberta Seniors Drug Benefit Drug coverage for non-senior dependents ends and incometesting for seniors added.

6. Rental Assistance Program Reduced by 24 percent 7. Legal Aid Society

All social workers cut from Calgary and Edmonton offices.

8. Arts Funding

Cuts – affecting some projects, like Picture This! Festival

9. Daycare Subsidies

$400 per month kin subsidy, allowing parent working or going back to school to pay a family member for childcare. $1,200 per year stay-at-home parent subsidy for preschool costs if parent attending school or working part-time.

10. Seniors Advocate

UNCONFIRMED: Post on social media that the contract was ending at Dec. 31

11. Government staffing

UNCONFIRMED All temporary contracts will not be renewed.

50% of AISH staff in Calgary are on temporary contracts

SP Council Executive Committee: Erin Waite (Chair), Alexi Davis (Treasurer), Heather-Anne McGilvary, Helene De Klerk, John Eng, Ryan Geake, Kathryn Melrose, Tracey Reece, Bruce Skorobohach, Elaine Yost

PAGE 3 4.3 From a Change.org petition, presenting view that Bill should be defeated: Bill 207 is a private member’s bill introduced Nov 7 in the Alberta legislature by UCP MLA Dan Williams, misleadingly titled Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers) Protection Act. The bill contravenes patients’ rights and is unconstitutional.

The bill is more aptly named the Abandoning Patients Act because it is a license for medical negligence. Health care professionals can refuse to provide a health care service they disagree with for personal or religious reason (“conscientious objection”) – with complete impunity.

The bill removes existing patient protections, including their right to a referral, and their ability to make a complaint or launch a lawsuit if a health care professional denies care or medicine for alleged “conscience” reasons. This means that patients would have zero recourse for any harms done by treatment refusals. In effect, the bill would allow healthcare professionals to mistreat or abandon patients because there is no accountability or oversight.

Allowing this bill to move forward violates Premier Jason Kenney’s promise to not “re-open the abortion debate.” The primary goal of the bill is to reduce access to abortion services, as “conscience” bills like this are on the platform of anti-choice groups in Canada, and have been introduced federally several times.

However, this bill attempts to disguise its attack on abortion by expanding care denials to any type of healthcare. Besides abortion, the most common services that could be denied under this bill are contraception and other reproductive healthcare, medical assistance in dying, and LGBTQ2 care. Further, it’s possible that care deniers could interpret the bill as allowing discriminatory refusals of any health care service to disadvantaged groups based on their identity, such as the LGBTQ2 community or ethnic/religious minorities. The impacts of this bill would hit women and disadvantaged communities the hardest.

The Abandoning Patients Act is unconstitutional because of the May 2019 decision by Ontario’s highest court, which ruled that doctors who refuse care for “conscience” reasons must provide an effective referral to someone who can provide the service. The court called it a compromise that balances the Charter rights of physicians and the interests of patients, who would suffer harm if doctors refused to give referrals.

Bill 207 contains many other extreme measures: ¨ The “right” to deny care is extended to all regulated health professions, including doctors, pharmacists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, social workers, and many others. ¨ Patient referrals are defined as a health care service that can be denied, both formal and informal referrals. ¨ Religious healthcare organizations can deny care under “conscience”– even though only individuals have a conscience. The bill would allow Catholic hospitals to refuse any care that conflicts with their religious doctrine. They would not be required to provide referrals, options, or information. ¨ Employers of health care workers cannot "discriminate" against them if they refuse to do their jobs under the guise of "conscience" – that is, employers can’t fire or discipline them or decline to hire them.

SP Council Executive Committee: Erin Waite (Chair), Alexi Davis (Treasurer), Heather-Anne McGilvary, Helene De Klerk, John Eng, Ryan Geake, Kathryn Melrose, Tracey Reece, Bruce Skorobohach, Elaine Yost

PAGE 4 ¨ Authority over “conscientious objection” is removed from regulatory bodies such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and the Alberta College of Pharmacy, even though it’s their mandate to set and enforce standards and codes of conduct. ¨ The bill overrides current guidelines for “conscientious objection” from the CPSA. This means the CPSA can no longer require care deniers to refer patients, to provide accurate information and not withhold information, and to not promote their own moral/religious beliefs. Further, the CPSA cannot discipline care deniers for “unprofessional conduct” and cannot accept patient complaints about treatment refusals. ¨ The bill adds "conscientious beliefs" as a new protected ground in the Alberta Human Rights Act, along with race, gender, disability, etc. That goes far beyond so-called "conscience rights" in healthcare. For example, it could allow any business owner or employer to refuse to serve or hire people from the LGBTQ2 community, on the basis that doing so would violate their “conscientious beliefs” and discriminate against them.

A note on Section 2(2) of Bill 207, which reads: “For greater certainty, nothing in this Act derogates from a health care provider’s or religious health care organization’s obligations to their patients, which may include informing individuals of options in respect of receiving a health care service.” This section is meaningless because it contradicts the bill itself. The entire objective of the bill is to allow health care professionals to shirk their fiduciary obligations to patients for alleged “conscience” reasons (which they do not have to explain or justify).

5.0 South Region Korn Ferry Project Project is being managed by South Region Council and all Regions are invited to participate.

The salary data collection will use the methodology from the 2008 study: Six job profiles will be used: Director, Co-ordinator, Specialist/Consultant – Large agency, Specialist/Consultant -- Small agency, Team Leader, Community Disability Practitioner and Community Disability Worker.

Four categories of salary data will be collected: Total Cash Design (policy), Base salary, Bonus, Total Cash (base plus bonus) While recognized that this is not the climate in which to advocate for salary increases, it’s important to have valid data to at least understand where salaries sit relative to equivalent jobs in the province.

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm working with clients to design organizational structures, and roles and responsibilities. Research is a key component of their work.

SP Council Executive Committee: Erin Waite (Chair), Alexi Davis (Treasurer), Heather-Anne McGilvary, Helene De Klerk, John Eng, Ryan Geake, Kathryn Melrose, Tracey Reece, Bruce Skorobohach, Elaine Yost