Guy Proulx Lysanne Gauvin Leslie Lawry Jean-Francois Normand Ann Perry Wendy Potvin Lisa Rondeau Michael Snaauw
Teri Caruci Lucie Houle Brian McCauley Anne Morin Barry Paulson Sheila Willis
Guy Proulx welcomed the directors to the meeting.
Guy said that he and Michael Snaauw met with the Commissioner of the CRA, Andrew Treusch, on January 13, 2015. Guy briefed the Commissioner on the history, mandate, activities and membership of the QCC.
The Commissioner indicated that he is supportive of the QCC and is willing to provide time at a future Agency Management Committee (AMC) for Guy and Michael to brief members of AMC on the QCC. This would help to increase knowledge and visibility of the QCC internally within CRA.
The Commissioner indicated his support for increased communication to staff in the National Capital Region including the possibility of a letter from the AC of the Human Resources Branch (HRB) encouraging staff to learn more about the QCC. The Commissioner also agreed with additional visibility of the QCC within the CRA through activities such as QCC participation in the GCWCC and the community volunteer income tax program.
Currently, the QCC website is hosted on CRA’s Internet site. Due to changes in how the Government of Canada will manage external facing websites in the future, the QCC must find alternatives for the hosting of the QCC website. It was agreed that research must be done to find another way to have a website for the QCC. Wendy Potvin agreed to research the costs of having a private company develop and maintain a website for the QCC. Ann Perry agreed to see if someone within the Information Technology Branch could help us. Lysanne Gauvin agreed to approach a few individuals who might be able to assist us.
Wendy also agreed to ask the Pubic Affairs Branch to give her all current and archived materials for the QCC on a USB stick as well as a paper copy. Once a decision is made on a new website and that the website is up and running, an e-mail will be sent to all QCC members advising them of the new website.
Once the new website is in place, Guy will then ask for some time to brief members of AMC.
A lengthy discussion took place on the question of whether or not the requirement for 25 years of service with both the CRA and the Government of Canada needs to change in order to ensure ongoing membership and participation in QCC events. It was agreed that the 25 year requirement will stay in place. However, it was also agreed that the 25 year requirement will be a combination of years of work experience not only with the CRA and the Government of Canada but will also include work in the private sector and other levels of government.
It was also agreed that the QCC would continue its practice of including non-members of the QCC in its events. Furthermore, it was agreed that the QCC would keep its current logo, its name and the process currently in place with HRB for the 25 year recognition information. Lastly, it was agreed that the QCC would develop a poster advising of the change in the definition of 25 years of service. Lysanne will work on wording and Wendy will develop the poster. Guy will be able to ask AMC members to ensure that the poster is posted on employee bulleting boards within the NCR when he briefs AMC.
The next meeting will be on March 12, 2015, 2015 at 5:00 pm at the Train Yards.