BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Lancaster House - ECPv6.15.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Lancaster House
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://lancasterhouse.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Lancaster House
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251122
DTSTAMP:20260420T180036
CREATED:20250218T171753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251118T173922Z
UID:16027-1763510400-1763769599@lancasterhouse.com
SUMMARY:Vancouver Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector and Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference 2025
DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 20\, 2025 \nBargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference \nBreakfast and Registration: 8:00 am – 9:00 am \n\nIntroductory remarks: 9:00 am – 9:05 am \n\nPanel 1 - Scanning the Economic Horizon: Expert insights into B.C.'s financial outlook - 9:05 am – 10:05 am\n\n\n \nAlex Hemingway\nSenior Economist and Public Finance\nBC Society for Policy Solutions \n\n\n \nSusan Mowbray\nPartner\nEconomics and Research\nMNP \n\n\nWhat economic conditions will we face in 2026? In this forward-looking session\, economists will examine 2026 economic and fiscal forecasts in B.C. and federally. Specifically\, the panel will address: \n\nProvincial and federal growth forecasts;\nInflation\, interest rates\, and cost-of-living expectations;\nEmployment and labour market conditions;\nProvincial comparisons and impact of tariffs on trade with the United States; and\nEconomic priorities in 2026 B.C and federal budgets.\n\nBreak: 10:05 am – 10:20 am \n\nPanel 2 - From Numbers to Negotiations: Translating economic forecasts into bargaining strategies - 10:20 am – 11:35 am\n\n\n \nNorah Miner\nDirector of Bargaining\nHealth Sciences Association of BC (HSABC) \n\n\n \nMike Vizsolyi\nExecutive Director\, Employee and Labour Relations\nUniversity of British Columbia (UBC) \n\n\nExperienced negotiators will address challenges in the next round of bargaining in the broader public sector in light of British Columbia’s economic outlook. Specifically\, the panelists will address the following questions: \n\nWhat do recent communications from the Government of British Columbia tell us about the provincial government’s bargaining priorities for currently and for the year ahead?\nWhat economic factors should employers and unions consider when determining bargaining priorities and drafting proposals? Is there anything unique to British Columbia’s current economic situation that negotiators need to pay particular attention to in bargaining?\nHow will the uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs and the Canadian response impact bargaining? Will any other policies of the current U.S. administration affect bargaining in the broader public sector in Canada? Is the effect of these policies different in the broader public sector than in the private sector?\nHow will the current state of the economy affect the negotiation of wage increases? How will inflation and the increased cost of living affect bargaining in this area?\nHow important are non-monetary items for employers and unions when negotiating in the current economic climate? What are some examples of novel non-monetary items that unions are raising at the bargaining table?\nHow are the parties coping with freezes and layoffs as well as labour shortages in negotiations?\n\nBreak: 11:35 am – 11:50 am \n\nFireside Chat with Krista James - Meeting the Needs of our Intergenerational Workplaces - 11:50 am – 12:20 pm\n\n\n \nKrista James\nPolicy Director and Senior Legal Counsel\nVancouver Coastal Health \n\n\nNetworking Lunch: 12:20 pm – 1:20 pm \n\nPanel 3 - Coping with Current Legislation: Highlighting the top recent cases and legislative developments impacting bargaining in B.C. and nationwide - 1:20 pm – 2:30 pm\n\n\n \nJeremy Bryant\nUnion Counsel\nBanister & Company \n\n\n \nTamara Ramusovic\nUnion Counsel\nMoore Edgar Lyster LLP \n\n\n \nDelayne Sartison\nEmployer Counsel\nRoper Greyell LLP \n\n\n \nJessica Thomson\nEmployer Counsel\nPulver Crawford Munroe \n\n\nIn this session\, panelists will examine the latest decisions\, legislative changes\, and other key developments impacting bargaining in the public sector. The session and materials will delve into topics including: \n\nthe legality of recent federal government interventions pausing or prohibiting strikes in the railway\, ports\, postal\, education\, airline\, and other sectors;\n\n\nrecent labour board decisions addressing issues such as secondary picketing\, unfair labour practices and the duty to bargain in good faith\, and the use of out-of-province workers to perform struck work;\nthe impact of recent interest arbitration decisions addressing inflation\, staffing and retention\, and changing social\, political\, and economic conditions;\nthe effect of recent grievance arbitration awards\, including cases addressing discriminatory collective agreement language\, the use of hiring incentives\, and the application of the Charter to B.C. employers in the broader public sector; and\nnavigating potential conflicts between collective agreement language and changing requirements in employment standards legislation; and\naftermath of the Quebec Casinos \n\nThe session will also address key legislative and policy updates\, including: \n\nthe latest developments in the ongoing review of the B.C. Labour Relations Code;\nmeasures introduced by the federal and B.C. government to avoid or cushion the impacts of ongoing trade conflict;\nlegislation in Quebec expanding government power to restrict or end strikes and lock-outs and refer certain labour disputes to interest arbitration; and\nlegislation restricting the use of strike replacement workers passed federally and in Manitoba.\n\nFinal topics will be selected in the weeks prior to the conference to ensure coverage of the latest and most important developments in a rapidly changing legal and political landscape. \nBreak: 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm \n\nPanel 4 - Bargaining Emerging Issues: Climate change\, disaster leaves\, gig and remote work\, new leaves and innovative benefits\, new technologies\, generational differences and more - 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm\n\n\n \nChris Beneteau\nExecutive Director\, Labour Relations\nBC Public School Employers’ Association \n\n\n \nErin Cutler\nSenior Legal Director and General Counsel\nHealth Employers Association of BC (HEABC) \n\n\n \nRichard Tones\nDirector of Negotiations\nBC General Employees Union (BCGEU) \n\n\n \nThom Yachnin\nUnion Counsel\nVictory Square Law Office \n\n\nThe future of work is here – is your collective agreement ready? Join this dynamic session to explore how technology\, current events\, and evolving societal and workplace expectations are driving the need for modernization. Topics to be addressed include: \n\nThe impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on employee hiring and management;\nNew technologies related to surveillance and monitoring of employees;\nRemote work\, flexible work arrangements\, and gig work;\nMental health\, staffing levels\, and workload;\nWorkplace violence;\nEmerging leave and benefit provisions;\nClimate change and disaster preparedness;\nEquity\, diversity\, and inclusion; and\nGenerational differences in workplace and bargaining priorities.\n\nTopics will be finalized in the weeks prior to the conference\, ensuring coverage of the latest and most pressing issues. \nClosing Remarks: 4:00 pm \n\nRegisterFriday\, November 21\, 2025 \nLabour Arbitration and Policy Conference \nBreakfast and Registration: 8:00 am – 9:00 am \n\nIntroductory remarks: 9:00 am – 9:05 am \n\nPanel 1 - From Hearings to Headlines: Key developments in cases and legislation - 9:05 am – 10:20 am\n\n\n \nValerie Dixon\nLegal Counsel – Labour\, Employment and Human Rights\nCity of Vancouver \n\n\n \nJitesh Mistry\nLabour Arbitrator and Mediator\nMistry ADR \n\n\n \nErica Sandhu\nUnion Counsel\nHastings Labour Law Office \n\n\nIn this session\, panelists will examine recent significant developments in federal and provincial labour law\, exploring emerging trends in a changing world of work. Panelists will address the latest decisions on topics including: \nCaselaw: \n\nGovernment intervention in recent collective bargaining disputes including issues of freedom of association under the Charter\nRemedies for breach of employment standards\n\nclass actions\narbitration agreements\nSupreme Court hearing on Quebec’s secular dress code\nupcoming changes\n\n\nTermination\n\ndischarge and discipline\nsexual harassment\n\n\nLabour Board decisions\n\nunfair labour practices\ngood faith bargaining\nremedial certification\n\n\nWorkplace rights and responsibilities\n\nprivacy issues\ndrug and alcohol testing\nworkplace investigations\n\n\n\n\ndiscrimination and accommodation\nharassment and retaliation\n\n\nLegislation: The B.C. Labour Relations Code Review Panel report on recommended amendments;\nlegislation dealing dealing with federal supply chain transparency;\nNew restrictions on the use of strike replacement workers in federally regulated industries; and\nQuebec legislation ensuring parties’ role in arbitrator selection and expansion of government powers to pause or prohibit strikes.\n\nFinal selection of topics will take place in the weeks leading up to the conference\, ensuring coverage of the latest and most newsworthy developments in a shifting economic and political landscape. \nBreak: 10:20 am – 10:35 am \n\nKeynote by Stephen Kelleher - Perspectives of a Supreme Court Judge returning to Labour Arbitration and Mediation - 10:35 am – 11:05 am\n\n\n \nStephen Kelleher\, K.C.\nArbitrator and Mediator \n\n\nArbitrator Kelleher will discuss how labour arbitration has evolved from its original purpose and how it has continued to change with the times. He will compare and contrast litigation in court and labour arbitration. Finally\, he will ask whether some court procedures should be considered for the labour arbitration context.Break: 11:05 am – 11:20 am \n\nPanel 2 - Hidden Needs\, Hard Questions: Navigating complex workplace accommodations - 11:20 am – 12:30 pm\n\n\n \nBrad Cocke\nEmployer counsel\nCooperwilliams Truman & Ito LLP \n\n\n \nJodie Gauthier\nUnion Counsel\nBlack Burke Mayor \n\n\n \nLesley Maisey\nOccupational Health Nurse\nSpecialist For Disability Case Management\nSharezen Group \n\n\nAs workplaces reopen\, accommodation requests are becoming more varied and complex. This panel will address health-related accommodations in the context of return-to-work mandates. Specifically\, the following questions will be addressed: \n\nWhat are common medical conditions that elude diagnosis\, or that are considered “diagnoses of exclusion”? How do the stereotypes and stigma associated with these conditions contribute to the challenge of providing accommodation?\nWhat are best practices for drafting initial and follow-up letters to medical professionals? Are employers or unions entitled to communicate directly with an employee’s medical professional?\nHow should employers and unions handle medical information that is based solely or largely on an employee’s subjective self-reporting of symptoms? Does the analysis differ for mental health disabilities where diagnoses are largely based on self-reported information?\nWhen will it be appropriate for an employer to request an Independent Medical Examination (“IME”)? What if an employee is in a safety-sensitive position or the safety of other employees may be at risk? What is the union’s role in this process?\nCan an employee insist on remote work as a form of health-related accommodation? Does an employee’s susceptibility to contracting an illness at the workplace warrant accommodation? Will an employee be entitled to work from home during pregnancy? What is the type and scope of medical information that is required to support these requests?\nDoes an employer have a duty to accommodate an employee’s commute to work where the employee has a disability? If so\, what is considered reasonable accommodation?\nHow should collective agreements and workplace policies be updated to comply with British Columbia’s new restrictions on sick notes for short-term absences? How do these restrictions affect other responsibilities\, such as the duty to accommodate?\n\n\nNetworking Lunch: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm \n\nFireside chat - AI and the Labour Relations Problem-Solver: Building Towards Your Irreplaceable Edge - 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm\n\n\n \nCarolyn Janusz\nUnion Counsel\nGoodwin Law \n\n\n \nJohn McConchie\nArbitrator and Mediator \n\n\n\nBreak: 2:15 pm – 2:30 pm \n\nPanel 3 - Pre-hearing Primer: Handling procedural delays\, preliminary objections\, requests for particulars\, and more - 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm\n\n\n \nJulia Bell\nEmployer Counsel\nRoper Greyell LLP \n\n\n \nWill Clements\nUnion Counsel\nKoskie Glavin Gordon \n\n\n \nRyan Goldvine\nMediator and Arbitrator\nGoldvine Dispute Resolution Services \nPart-Time Member\nBC Employment Standards Tribunal \n\n\nEffective pre-hearing procedures are critical to the smooth and timely resolution of labour arbitration cases. This panel will offer practical insights on minimizing delays\, leveraging emerging technologies\, managing preliminary objections\, and responding to requests for particulars and production. Panelists will share strategies for addressing common procedural challenges and ensuring hearings proceed efficiently. Specifically\, panelists will address: \nDelay: \n\nWhat are the most common pre-hearing bottlenecks and how can they be avoided?\nWhen does delay cross the line into abuse of process? What remedies (such as costs or adjournments) are available?\n\nNew Formats: \n\nHow do virtual and hybrid formats contribute to pre-hearing efficiency\, and what procedural or practical challenges might they create?\n\n\nDoes any guidance exist on permissible uses of Generative AI in pre-hearing stages (g. for document review\, timeline automation\, etcetera)?\n\nRequest for Particulars: \n\nWhat are best practices for responding to and drafting effective requests for particulars?\n\n\nWhat types of statements\, information\, or documents are protected by privilege\, confidentiality agreements\, or privacy laws?\n\nPreliminary Objections: \n\nWhat are the most common types of preliminary objections (e.g. jurisdiction\, timeliness\, standing)\, and when should they be raised?\n\n\nShould parties always raise preliminary objections early\, or are there risks in doing so prematurely?\n\nEvidence: \n\nHow do arbitrators deal with attempts to introduce evidence regarding exchanges during negotiations\, estoppel notices\, counterproposals in bargaining\, etcetera?\n\nGeneral: \n\nAs prehearing processes grow more complex with expanded preliminary issues and interim orders\, are they strengthening procedural fairness or complicating efficiency and proportionality?\n\n\nClosing remarks: 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm \n\nRegisterRegister Vancouver Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference$1\,395.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference$1\,395.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Workshop$1\,395.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference Workshop$1\,295.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \n\nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference & Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference$2\,295.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference & Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference – Bundle$2\,995.00Select options	\n		This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page	\n  \n\nWednesday\, November 19\, 2025Workshops \n(The schedule will run concurrently for all workshops) \n\nBargaining In The Broader Public Sector Conference Workshop \nBargaining for Change: Advancing Equity\, Diversity\, and Inclusion (EDI) at the table\n\n\n \nHasan Alam\nStaff LawyerBC Government and Service Employees’ Union(BCGEU) \n\n\n \nNatasha Aruliah\nConsultantJEDDI (Justice\, Equity\, Decolonising\, Diversity and Inclusion) Specialist \n\n\n \nCarolyn MacEachern\nEmployer CounselYoung Anderson \n\n\n \nShelina Neallani\nLawyer\, Mediator\,  and Workplace Assessor \n\n\n\n\nSpecial opening session led by: \n \nEmily Ohler\nChair British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal \n\n\nIn this interactive workshop\, participants will learn legal principles and best practices in negotiating and drafting collective agreements that meet human rights obligations and promote equity\, diversity\, and inclusion (“EDI”). \nParticipants will hear from leading experts and work in small groups on skill-building exercises\, learning how to apply an EDI lens to bargaining from start to finish. Attendees will learn how to: \n\nPrepare to address EDI effectively in bargaining by evaluating areas for improvement and identifying key issues to be addressed at the table;\nReview collective agreements for problematic language and update commonly-used but exclusionary terminology;\nApply lessons learned from recent arbitration decisions in which collective agreement language was proved to be discriminatory;\nCraft new collective agreement clauses to remove barriers and promote EDI\, incorporating emerging language addressing topics such as cultural and religious diversity\, anti-racism\, decolonization and Indigenization\, disability and mental health\, and gender equity and diversity; and\nNavigate potential conflicts between language aimed at promoting EDI and other collective agreement rights\, such as seniority provisions.\n\nAll participants also receive a comprehensive set of digital materials\, including textbook chapters\, case summaries\, and additional resources compiled by Lancaster House program lawyers for continued learning and reference. \nLabour Arbitration And Policy Conference Workshop \nHoning Your Grievance and Arbitration Skills: Tools and tactics for success\n\n\n \nSusanna Allevato Quail\nCounsel\nAllevato Quail & Associates \n\n\n \nMike Hamata\nEmployer Counsel\nRoper Greyell \n\n\n \nGabriel Somjen\nArbitrator and Mediator \n\n\nBuild your skills in grievance handling and arbitration advocacy through this interactive workshop. Speakers will bring deep insight into the real-world dynamics of grievance resolution\, explore how to build a persuasive case\, and discuss what matters most in the hearing room. \nThrough a facilitated discussion and interactive exercises\, attendees will learn how to: \n\nAssess the merits of a grievance and progress through key steps in the grievance process in accordance with collective agreement requirements;\nWork with grievors who may present as “difficult to work with\,” recognizing underlying disabilities\, trauma\, and other factors which may be impacting communication;\nIdentify when settlement or mediation is appropriate;\nRecognize when a matter is unlikely to settle\, assess the appropriate forum\, and determine when arbitration is necessary;\nPrepare for arbitration and make the most of pre-hearing processes\, laying the groundwork to succeed at the hearing;\nNavigate key rules of evidence\, ensuring a case is presented in full and countering efforts by opposing parties to introduce out-of-bounds evidence; and\nAdvocate effectively in the hearing\, advancing the interests of your member\, organization\, or client.\n\nAttendees will be encouraged to ask questions and engage with other participants. All other participants also receive a comprehensive set of digital materials\, including textbook chapters\, case summaries\, and additional resources compiled by Lancaster House program lawyers for continued learning and reference. \nRegister Vancouver Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference$1\,395.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference$1\,395.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Workshop$1\,295.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference Workshop$1\,295.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \n\nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference & Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference$2\,295.00Add to cart	\n			\n  \nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference & Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference – Bundle (Conference + Workshop)$2\,995.00Select options	\n		This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page	\n  \n\nBargaining in the Broader Public Sector ConferenceConference Co-chairs\n\n \nLeanne Bowes\nChief Executive Officer\nPost-Secondary Employers’ Association \n\n\n \nElisabeth Finney\nUnion Counsel\nBlack Burke Mayor \n\n\n\nConference Advisory Committee \n\n\n \nJeremy Bryant\nUnion Counsel\nBanister & Company \n\n\n \nAndrea Mears\nLabour Relations Officer Professional Employees Association \n\n\n \nAlissa Perry\nDirector\, Employee Relations\nBC Public School Employers’ Association \n\n\n \nPaul Reniers\nDivison Manager\, Collective Bargaining\nMetro Vancouver \n\n\n\nLabour Arbitration and Policy Conference \nConference Co-chairs\n\n \nCarolyn Janusz\nUnion Counsel\nGoodwin Law \n\n\n \nJames Kondopulos\nEmployer Counsel\nRoper Greyell LLP \n\n\n \nJohn McConchie\nArbitrator/Mediator \n\n\n\nConference Advisory Committee \n\n\n \nGretchen Brown\nUnion Counsel\nBritish Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) \n\n\n \nStephanie Mayor\nUnion Counsel\nBlack Burke Mayor \n\n\n \nCarolynn Ryan\nSenior VP People & Chief Human Resources Officer\nBC Hydro \n\n\n \nMarino Sveinson\nEmployer Counsel\nPulver Crawford Munroe \n\n\n\nCPD \nBargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference CPD\n\n\n\nThis program has been approved by CPHR BC & Yukon for 5.25 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis program has been approved by the Law Society of British Columbia for 5.25 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n\nVancouver Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference CPD\n\n\n\nThis program has been approved by CPHR BC & Yukon for 5 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis program has been approved by the Law Society of British Columbia for 5 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n\nVancouver Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Pre-Conference Workshop CPD\n\n\n\nThis program has been approved by CPHR BC & Yukon for 5.5 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis program has been approved by the Law Society of British Columbia for 5.5 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n\nVancouver Labour Arbitration And Policy Pre-Conference Workshop CPD\n\n\n\nThis program has been approved by CPHR BC & Yukon for 5.5 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis program has been approved by the Law Society of British Columbia for 5.5 Continuing Professional Development hours.\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister
URL:https://lancasterhouse.com/event/vancouver-bargaining-in-the-broader-public-sector-and-labour-arbitration-and-policy-conference-2025/
LOCATION:Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver\, 999 Canada Pl #300\, Vancouver\, British Columbia\, V6C 3B5\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference,Conference,Labour Arbitration and Policy Conference
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lancasterhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vancouver-Bargaining-in-the-Broader-Public-Sector-and-Labour-Arbitration-and-Policy-Conference-2025-banner-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR