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FAQ

Who can attend?

All members in good standing can apply to attend a union course.  For advanced courses, you must obtain a recommendation from your Local or your Component or from a PSAC-NCR Regional Council Executive member. 

What can I expect from a PSAC course? 

We use teaching methods that are participatory, transformative, which promote inclusion, encourage reflection and dialogue, and include a mix of techniques to respond to various learning styles.  Our courses are participant centered. 

When are courses offered?

Most of our core courses are offered on Friday and Saturday.  We also offer evening seminars and occasionally offer courses during weekdays. 

Do I have to pay to attend? 

No.  In fact, we reimburse your expenses. 

What are the expenses that are reimbursed?

- Salary

Loss of salary or annual/vacation leave you have incurred in order to attend the course (schedule needed if different than 37.5 hrs).  

Many collective agreements provide union leave for union education which allows you to access paid leave from your employer. This is the case at: 

  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (article 13.13); 

  • Parks Canada (article 13.13); 

  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (article 13.09); 

  • Treasury Board’s members of the PA, EB, TC and SV Groups (article 14.13). 

Check your collective agreement or ask your steward if you are entitled to such leave. If not, you will be able to take unpaid leave for union education and will be paid directly by the PSAC for the days of education that occur during your working hours. 

- Per diem, parking, mileage 

 

In-person training 

Week Day / Day of Work 

Lunch per diem and parking expenses.  

If course location is more than 40 km from your workplace, mileage. 

Members who attend a virtual course which is at least 3 hours in length, whether during the week or on a weekend, will receive a $25 per diem for every full 3 hours they attend the course. Members must complete the full course before the per diem is approved. 

The per diem will be calculated based on the total number of hours of the virtual course, divided by 3. For example, if a virtual course is 6 hours total in length, whether it is offered over two 3-hour evening sessions or over the course of one day, the member will receive $50 upon confirmation of full attendance and completion of the course (i.e. $25 for each full 3-hour increment of the course.) If a course is 10 hours in total, the participant would receive a $75. 

Weekend Day / Day of Rest 

Lunch per diem and parking expenses.  

If you reside 40 km or less from the course location, a $50 allowance is provided to cover meal, parking and transportation.    

If you reside more than 40 km from the course location, you will be reimbursed parking, the lunch per diem and mileage. 

A $25 per diem for every full 3 hours they attend the course, as explained above. 

Evening Course 

A light meal will be provided to participants. 

If your work location is more than 40 km from the course location, you will be reimbursed parking and mileage. 

A $25 per diem for every full 3 hours they attend the course, as explained above. 
PSAC online education platform Members will not be reimbursed for participation in online, self-paced, asynchronous courses - courses in which the member completes a course on their own at their own pace and time

Family care

Whether on weekdays or weekends, in person or through virtual training, members are reimbursed these additional expenses in accordance with the PSAC Family Care Policy.

Where are the courses held?  

They often take place at our PSAC Regional Offices.  The confirmation letter provides course location details.

French courses are usually offered at our Gatineau Regional Office: 

Place du Centre, 200 Promenade du Portage, Suite 310 Gatineau
Tel: (819) 777-4647 / Fax: (819) 777-9407 / Email: educ-gat@psac-afpc.com  

English courses are usually offered at our Ottawa Regional Office:

233 Gilmour, 6th floor, Pat McGrath Boardroom, Ottawa 
Tel: (613) 560-2560 / Fax: (613) 234-6209 / Email: educ-ott@psac-afpc.com

Is there public transportation available?

  • Many OC Transpo and STO lines are available to reach Place du Centre in Gatineau or the Ottawa Regional Office.
  • Visit the OC Transpo or the STO websites to find the most appropriate route.

And what about parking?

At the Gatineau Regional Office, public parking is available (credit card payment recommended) on weekdays and weekends, other parking is also available in the neighbouring streets; please verify city regulations and signage first.
 
At the Ottawa Regional Office, parking on weekdays might be available at the PSAC parking lot (first come, first served) or at nearby parking lots (credit card payment recommended). Please click on this link for a map of nearby parking lots.  On Saturdays and after 5:00 pm on weekdays, parking is free at the PSAC parking lot (first come, first served).

What should I do if I have to cancel?

  • If you are a CFIA, Parks, SSHRC or a Treasury Board employee and have claimed a union leave, please read the following:
    • “Illness or other unforeseen circumstances may prevent a member from attending a union event. Members who are unable to participate in part or all of the event are personally responsible for modifying their related leave request in their Leave Management System. The Leave Management System must reflect the actual union leave used by the member in order to ensure the accuracy of the loss of salary invoiced to Public Service Alliance of Canada. The leave recorded in the Leave Management System should only reflect the actual amount of leave required to attend the union event.”
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