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Manitoba College of Social Workers
Interim Transitional Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Present:
Marlyn Bennett, Janet Brady, Marleny Bonnycastle, Jan Christianson-Wood, Adam
Chrobak, Richard De La Ronde (Chair), Florette Giasson, Mary Heard, Barb Howe, Andrea
Klyne-Lavallee, Don Robinson, Leslie Turner, Miriam Browne (Executive
Director/Registrar), Barb Temmerman (Associate Director), Amelie Findlay (Administrative
Coordinator/Recorder)
Meeting called to order at 9:05 AM
I.
Welcome
II.
Additions or changes to the Agenda
- Addition of Criminal Record Checks to item 7
- Meeting with Minister Irvin-Ross added to end of item 4
Be it resolved that the March 26, 2015 Agenda is accepted as presented. (Florette
Giasson/Leslie Turner) CARRIED.
III.
Minutes
- Remove M. Bonnycastle from the list of those present
Be it resolved that the Minutes and Meeting Notes of the March 5, 2015 MCSW Interim
Transitional Board Meeting are approved as amended. (Jan Christianson-Wood/Andrea KlyneLavallee) CARRIED.
IV.
Standing Item
Ratification of new MIRSW members:
Be it resolved that the following applicants are approved for registration into the Manitoba
Institute of Registered Social Workers, as recommended by the Registration Committee:
AKINYELE-AKANBI, Bolaji
ALEXANDER, Sherri
AUBIN, Raymond
BALCHAN, Krishendath
BALDWIN, Charlene
BOCHURKA, Kristine
BROWN, Ashley
CAMPBELL, Beatrice
CHATTERLEY-GOMEZ, Allison
CLINE, Cali
COLLINGS, Tamsin
COPPOLA, Lara
CORRIN, Cheryl
COTE, Deanna
DADA, Grace
DALE, Kathryn
DECORBY, Michelle
DUECK PLETT, Luanne
FOREST-BERG, Louise
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GEISEL, Dana
GENSIOREK, Dan
GERES, Joan
GOWRYLUK, Josee
HAASBEEK, Pauline
HARTRY, Reid
HERFURTH, Enrica
HOGG, Carol
HUMBY, Desiree
HURLEY, Julianna
KARDASHINSKI, Sheena
KENT, Sharon
KIERSGAARD, Meeka
KINKEAD, Tracey
KIRKUP, Darlene
LINKLATER, Teresa
LOPES, Steven
MACKIE, Karen
MAITLAND, Lukas
MARR, Marion
MARRIOTT, Robert
McCREA, Sandra
McLAUGHLIN, Ainslee
MERCREDI, Katharine
MEW, Lindsay
MURRAY, Sara
NEUFELD, Greg
NELSON, Katherine
OAKLEY, Jena
PACKWOOD, Jenna
PINUTA, Dena
POITRA, Devra
SLATER, Colleen
SMITH, Lauren
STANGL, Darcia
THOMPSON, Margaret
TRUDEAU, Kimberly
VOIGT, Kaysi
WELTY, Sharon
WHITEQUILL, Faron
WILCOX, Leena
WILSON, Karen
WOODMAN, Amanda
WRIGHT, Teresa
(Florette Giasson/Leslie Turner) CARRIED.
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College Issues/Government:
ITB President Richard Delaronde recently met with 2 of the 4 CEOs of the CFS Authorities to
discuss provisional licenses for those who do not meet minimum requirements under the
grandparenting provision of the SWPA. There was support for the idea of a provisional certificate
of practice from these individuals.
MIRSW ED/Registrar Miriam Browne and Minister Irvin-Ross recently received joint
correspondence from the 4 CFS Authorities identifying issues of concern regarding the impact of
the legislation on their workforce. Unions have also outlined concerns regarding the speed of
implementation, the cost of registration and suggested that employers may have incorrectly
identified some positions as requiring registration. MGEU representatives have discussed these
issues with College staff.
ITB President Richard De La Ronde, MIRSW ED/Registrar Miriam Browne and Associate Director
Barb Temmerman attended a meeting with Minister Irvin-Ross and Family Services staff on March
24th to discuss a variety of concerns regarding implementation of the legislation. Issues regarding
differing interpretations of the legislation were discussed, as well as actions which government
was considering taking to alleviate concerns of CFS Authorities, other agencies and individual
social workers. The Government has limited its interpretation of the Act to include only protection
of the job name “Social Worker”. College representatives communicated the position, supported
by the College legal team, that the Act also requires those representing themselves as Social
Workers to be registered, regardless of job title. This was a major point of disagreement in the
meeting. The Minister indicated that she was not open to amending the regulation regarding the
creation of provisional registration at this time.
Since the meeting, it appears that on March 25, 2015, the Minister moved to ‘undesignate’ a
number of government positions that were previously identified as Social Workers required to be
registered with the College. Originally, 478 positions had been identified as required to register
and at the March 24th meeting, College staff were told that the number of positions within the
department of Family Services had been reduced to 45.
The College’s lawyers have reviewed College communication materials, including the FAQ on the
website. They have confirmed that the communication materials are appropriate and accurate.
V.
Operational Items
a) College Opening/CASW Award Reception
The College opening reception was successful. Dave Schellenberg received the CASW
Distinguished Service Award on behalf of the larger group of Social Workers who supported
the development of regulation in Manitoba over many years. Dave spoke eloquently and was
visibly touched by the award.
A news release will be developed about the College opening.
Applicants who have now indicated their desire to withdraw their applications for
registration will receive an email acknowledgement clarifying relevant sections of the Act.
Some have requested their documents be returned. Originals will be returned upon request.
Copies to be maintained on file by the College indefinitely.
b) MIRSW renewals/transfer to College
395 registrants left to renew for 2015-16 registration year.
All members will get a new College package mailed out in April.
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c) Communications Campaign Update
Previously discussed.
d) College Website and Branding Update
Previously discussed.
e) Government Funding Update
MCSW received funding from the government in January 2015. In February 2015,
government representatives suggested that it was unlikely that additional funding would be
provided.
The Assiniboine Credit Union has indicated that they require future cash flow projections in
order to consider approval of a line of credit. This will be pursued further when time allows.
f) 2015-16 College Budget
To be reviewed at May 6 Board meeting.
VI.
Information – Complaints and Inquiry Committees/Procedures
a) Establishment of Complaints Committee
b) Decisions of the Complaints Committee
c) Complaints Appeals
d) Suspensions – Corporate Permits
e) Suspension of Registration
f) Establishment of Inquiry Committee
g) Hearings
Shift from rules under MIRSW legislation to the rules under the SWPA. Legal counsel is
currently developing guidelines for consideration. Adam Chrobak and Mary Heard will share
complaint template letters with the College.
VII.
College Development
A board member noted that federal government review of Criminal Record Pardon applications is
5 years behind. Therefore, the College may receive applications from individuals who have
criminal convictions awaiting pardons. Staff clarified that applicants would not necessarily be
denied registration based on a positive Criminal Record Check. Applications are reviewed on a
case by case basis.
a) Registration issues
Protection of Title versus Scope of Practice: previously discussed
Union/Employer concerns: previously discussed
VIII.
College Development continued
a) Grandparenting
The Grandparenting application is working well and employers are providing verification of
hours and roles. Some individuals have identified that they currently are in a social work role
but don’t have 4400 hours. The concept of provisional registration was not supported by the
Minister.
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b) Professional Liability Insurance
Challenges in implementation include: registrants who have indicated they do not have
certificates from the insurer, employers not willing to provide copies of the certificate to their
employees, expiration dates that do not match with the College registration year.
The current policy is that each member is to provide the College with a certificate showing
proof of insurance. Staff consulted with the Alberta College of Social Workers, the only other
province who requires that members carry professional liability insurance. ACSW accepts a
Certificate of Insurance or a letter from the employer indicating the employee is insured upon
initial application. An attestation of insurance is required upon renewal.
Possible solutions include having members sign a declaration and audit about 10% of the
membership to provide proof of insurance throughout the year. M. Browne noted that the
issue of an audit was raised by our lawyers as a feasible way of ensuring compliance.
$2,000,000 liability is lowest seen on any policy to date. If a member is called upon to be
audited, either a Certificate of Insurance or letter from the employer would be accepted as
proof of insurance.
BE IT RESOLVED that the minimum amount of professional liability insurance is changed to
$2,000,000. The requirement to submit proof of insurance is removed. Members will be
required to sign a declaration form (Barb Howe/Marleny Bonnycastle) CARRIED.
c) Fee Schedule
Student application fees: Board previously passed a policy for a $10 application fee and a $60
membership fee. Reduction in fees discussed. A registration payment deadline is required for
newly approved applicants.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Student membership fee is amended to $20 per year with no
application fee and newly approved members have 30 days to submit their registration fee
from the date of notification of approval (Marleny Bonnycastle/Marlyn Bennett) CARRIED.
IX.
Other Business
Gender question on application: The Fairness Commissioner requests three categories in relation
to gender: male, female and not stated. The College will be required to report this information
annually, as The Social Work Profession Act is on the list of professions required to submit
information.
CASW president election is coming up this June in PEI. Morel Caissie is interested in continuing as
President. Jan Christianson-Wood, MB CASW Representative, recommends supporting Morel as
he is currently the North American Regional President of the International Federation of Social
Workers.
An MIRSW member encouraged the College to write a letter to the Premier strongly emphasizing
the reduction in the public protection mandate based on the government’s narrow interpretation
of the Act. The Board supported this view and directed staff to write a letter to the Premier on
this important issue.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30 PM
Future Board meeting dates: May 6 & June 18, 2015
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