The next Region 3 Educational will be held Feb 20-2, 2027, at the Fern Resort – 4432 Fern Resort Rd, Ramara ON L3V 0Z1. You will find the following in this package:
For your application to be considered, it must be sent to: [email protected] by Nov. 27, 2026 at 4:30 pm. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Please note: You will receive a confirmation letter if selected. At that time, you will also receive the time-off request form, childcare request form, advance form, human rights accommodation form, hotel booking form and Guest Information form for completion.
In solidarity,
Region 3 Education Committee
Course Descriptions
Course times (attendance is required for the full class time-frames):
- Saturday, February 20, 9 am – 5 pm
- Sunday, February 21, 9 am – 12 noon
Duty to Accommodate 1: A Tool for Inclusive Workplaces
Provincial legislation and existing case law require employers and unions to provide accommodation short of undue hardship. This interactive course examines the roles and responsibilities of the employer, the union, and the member in accommodating members with disabilities and all other protected groups under the Ontario Human Rights Code. It builds activists’ skills to support members requiring an accommodation, and to deal with employer resistance to accommodation in the workplace.
Public Speaking: Finding your voice, connecting with your audience
Have you ever felt intimidated when you are a speaker in front of a large group? Have you ever wondered what you need to consider when planning and preparing a short presentation for the public? Whether you would like to strengthen your presentation skills, look more confident and credible, define your core message, organize your thoughts, or find new and effective ways to collaborate and organize, this course will give you practical skills you need to communicate successfully. You will have an opportunity to practice and hone your presentation skills in a small group setting while concentrating on your message, your target audience, and your organizing goals.
Introduction to Grievance Handling: Rights Enforcement in the Organizing Toolbox
This course establishes the fundamental skills required for a Steward to contribute leadership to handling grievances, in an organizing and equity framework. Participants will learn up-to-date legal best practices around how to analyze workplace issues, identify legal contraventions, interview witnesses, manage documentation and evidence, draft grievance statements, and deal with management – and support the Grievor throughout the process. Participants learn about grievances as a legal tool that members use together to enforce existing rights – and how to address complex real-life situations, such as systemic human rights and equity issues. Participants explore actively combining grievances with broader organizing tools to maximize worker participation, build power over the employer, and win new rights. This course prepares a Steward to represent the Union in grievances and lays the foundation for more advanced grievance handling courses.
Stewards 3: Dealing with Discipline
This is an advanced level steward course. It is suggested that participants take Stewards 1 and Stewards 2 prior to signing up for this program. Dealing with Discipline is a skills and knowledge focused workshop that will assist union activists in their duties representing members that are facing discipline up to and including dismissal. The course bridges concepts from Stewards 1 and 2, Basic and Advanced Grievance Handling and Workplace Investigations. Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.
Event information
Application
Application forms must be signed by the Local President or Designate, and received by the Region 3 email address [email protected] no later than November 27, 2026 at 4:30pm. Application forms & accompanying documents must be fully completed and received on time to be considered.
Cancellations
A member cancelling participation must notify their Local President and [email protected] as soon as possible. Members are responsible for cancelling hotel reservations and any associated cost for late cancellations.
No Call/No Show
Members who do not cancel their participation with the Regional Office within forty-eight (48) hours of the start date will not be eligible to attend the next educational. Extenuating circumstances will be considered.
Childcare/Elder/Dependent Care
- Members will be reimbursed for family care (childcare/ elder care/dependent care) at a rate of $15.00 an hour to a maximum of $220.00 in a 24-hour period.
- Childcare claims will be honoured for children up to and including age 16, for whom the member is a guardian.
- Care may be provided by friends/family, professional or commercial services, or any other arrangement satisfactory to the member making the claim. Claims may be verified and must be signed by the service provider. A spouse is excluded from the list of eligible care providers.
- Members are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable costs of family/dependent care that is individually arranged, when provided by someone other than their partners/spouses as a result of absences from home arising from the conduct of union business. (NOTE: partner/spouses may be covered through a Human Rights Accommodation.)
- Members who have responsibility for elderly/dependent persons living with them as part of their family may claim for their care.
- Members will be reimbursed for family/attendant care at $15.00 an hour, to a maximum of $220.00 in a 24-hour period.
- This policy covers the expenses for persons over the age of 16, permanently residing with, and under the care of a member, who are differently-abled and/or aged. A spouse is excluded from the list of eligible care providers.
- If childcare is requested through OPSEU/SEFPO at the Educational, all paperwork must be completed and submitted, and the child must be in attendance with the program. If the child is not in attendance, you will be responsible for the full cost of their accommodation and the cost of meals at the Resort.
Expense Claims
The OPSEU/SEFPO Member Portal is the quickest way to have your expenses processed. Please see the E-Claim tutorial in your Members Profile under the Documents menu.
If you choose to use a paper expense claim – only one event is allowed on each form and can be submitted to [email protected]. Multiple events on one form will be returned to the member for correction.
Time-Off/Lost Wages
Lost wages will be reimbursed for shift workers only in accordance with current OPSEU/SEFPO policy. Documentation must be submitted with your claim
Own time is not paid for a weekend education.
Time off arrangements – Time-Off Request forms will be provided for completion with the confirmation letter if selected.
Accommodation
A block of rooms has been reserved at Fern Resort and is based on OPSEU/SEFPO policy of single accommodations.
OPSEU/SEFPO members are responsible for making their own reservations by February 5, 2027 and will pay for their own room and incidentals. At the time of reservation there will be a deposit required of $150 per person. Everyone on property, including companions and children, must be registered at the Front Desk, and there is a fee for each person. A wristband policy is in effect.
OPSEU/SEFPO will not be responsible for booking accommodations for members who arrive at the event without previously confirming the need for hotel accommodations.
Hotel Accommodations are not approved for members living within 60km of the hotel location.
If you live within 60 km, please book & pay using your own credit card. Room keys will not be provided to those within 60km unless a credit card is provided.
Room Cost and Additional Guests
Friday Night
Single occupancy: $245 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per person, per night = $326.68 Double occupancy: $205 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per person, per night = $273.35
Companion Rate: $165 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per person, per night = $220.01 (Price for the adult guest, not attending the meeting. The delegate will be billed at the single rate.) Friday night, children are free!
Add Friday Dinner:
$50/adult, $25/child age 1-12 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST.
Dinner reservations must be made at the time of room booking. Dinner tickets are required.
Saturday Night
Single occupancy: $325 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per person, per night = $433.36 Double occupancy: $285 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per person, per night = $380.02
Companion Rate: $245 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per person, per night = $326.68 (Price for the adult guest, not attending the meeting. The delegate will be billed at the single rate.) Children 1-3: $71 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per child, per night = $94.67
Children 4-12: $143 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per child, per night = $190.68 Children 13-17: $214 plus 18% Event Services Fee and HST per child, per night = $285.35
OPSEU/SEFPO members are responsible for notifying the hotel directly of any special accommodations or dietary restrictions required by guests or children of the member.
Additional meal rates will be charged in advance of arrival. Upon check-in, participants and paid guests will be provided with a bracelet, allowing them to eat with the group.
Pet Policy: No pets are allowed at Fern Resort. Please register any service animal with Fern Resort before arriving at the location. Emotional support animals are not permitted.
Credit card must be provided upon check-in for incidental pre-approval. Check-in after 4 p.m. on Friday, check-out by 11:00am on Sunday.
If members are unable to attend, they are responsible for cancelling their reservation by emailing [email protected].