PAC elections

The PAC election process is subject to the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985, (section 7.2 (1) Pension council) and to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985 (SOR/87-19), section 5, Choice of [...] Pension Council Representative. The election process is auditable and must be completed on a set schedule.

The eligibility criteria vary depending on the position and are as follows:

Note: Eligibility dates are determined prior to the start of each election and announced on this site.

During an election, eligible Plan members receive instructions on how they can nominate themselves, should they wish to represent their fellow members on the PAC. A Plan member cannot nominate another Plan member. Nomination instructions must be followed carefully for the nomination to be accepted. The duration of the nomination periods is prescribed by the Pension Benefits Standards Regulations, 1985 (SOR/87-19), section 5, Choice of [...] Pension Council Representative, and allows enough time for members to submit their nomination. Late submissions will not be accepted.

After the closing date of any nomination period, eligible Plan members receive voting instructions,

The term of office for elected representatives and alternate representatives is three years provided they meet the following criteria:

• The representative of all active members of the Plan and the representative of management and exempt members of the Plan must continue to be part of the group they represent throughout their term of office.
• The representatives of retired members must continue to receive pension benefit payments from the Plan throughout their term of office.

If an elected or alternate representative is unable to complete his/her term of office or no longer meets the above criteria, the alternate representative or the candidate (as the case may be) with the next highest number of votes replaces the elected representative or the alternate representative (as the case may be) for the remainder of the three-year term.

If the replacement is unable or unwilling to assume the position, or no longer meets the above criteria, or is later unable to complete the remainder of the term, then the alternate representative or candidate (as the case may be) with the next highest number of votes becomes the elected representative or the alternate representative (as the case may be) for the remainder of the three-year term. Whenever vacancies occur, the process will continue in this manner until the list of alternate representatives or candidates is exhausted or the term has expired.

Meetings – Normally, PAC members meet three times a year. Since 2020, the meetings are held virtually, and since 2021, they are held with simultaneous interpretation. Meeting materials are provided in English and French. PAC members may express themselves in the official language of their choice.

Code of Conduct – The Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Pension Committee. All elected and alternate representatives must sign an annual acknowledgement certifying their agreement with the Code of Conduct of the PAC.

Compensation – Elected and alternate representatives do not receive monetary compensation or any other indemnity from the Pension Fund for attending PAC meetings. However, those who are also employees of Canada Post will continue to receive their regular pay when they attend a meeting that takes place during their regular hours of work. During an election period, any candidate who has questions concerning compensation or travel should send an email at PACelectionsCCP@canadapost.ca.

Knowledge requirements – Elected representatives are expected to have at least some knowledge of investment markets in Canada and abroad, or some knowledge of financial analysis, or of federal pension legislation, or a detailed understanding of defined benefit pension plans, or of actuarial principles. If they do not meet this qualification, they must participate in relevant training, at the expense of the Plan, in order to continue their term.