On May 9, 2018 the AVLIC Board of Directors released an announcement that the interim complaints process would be temporarily paused. We received a significant number of emails, over 50 emails from across Canada, expressing concerns about:
- AVLIC’s interim complaints process was not meeting the needs of all people
- AVLIC is systemically oppressive
The Board recognizes the serious nature of these concerns and understands that in a predominately homogenous profession, it is required of us all to ensure change happens in a collaborative and restorative manner.
After bylaws changes were made in 2015 to cease operation of the DRP, which moved AVLIC towards a more legally sound complaints process, AVLIC has struggled with finding the capacity to fully implement the intended PCRP. In the time since 2015, the interim complaints process has been operated by dedicated volunteers who have served AVLIC for over 10 years, beginning with the DRP. It is a credit to those volunteers for being able to operate the interim complaints process with minimal resources and training.
In response to the concerns brought forward, the AVLIC Board has tabled hiring the PCRP Program Developer, and will instead hire a Reviewer. The Reviewer will report on where the systematic barriers are in interim in the complaints process and proposed PCRP frameworks. The Reviewer will be in contact with everyone who brought forward concerns as well as the AVLIC staff and volunteers. The Reviewers report will be used to develop a complaints process that is fair and equitable.
This is the first step towards changing AVLIC. We recognize that by only focusing on the complaints process will not address the larger problem of AVLIC as a whole. Righting the wrongs is bigger than AVLIC and will take time. AVLIC must examine the programs and services, bylaws, policies and procedures, operations, and overall structure.
You likely have some questions on why and how this will impact communities. It is hoped that this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will clarify and answer your questions. If you have a question that is not listed below, please contact us.
Why is the complaints process being called an “interim” process?
The PCRP program was sanctioned by the membership in 2015 after it voted to adopt the PCRP bylaws. Over the past 3 years, due to capacity limitations AVLIC has been unable to fully develop the program, as outlined in the report provided by Sylvie Lemay and Madeline Mcbrearty (also accepted by members at the 2015 AGM) and therefore has been running an interim process instead. While the interim complaints process is guided by the bylaws, policies and procedures developed based on recommendations within the Lemay / Mcbreaty report, the infrastructure for the program recommended by the report had not yet been developed and/or implemented.
Why was the interim complaints process put on pause?
The reason is two-fold.
- Operating an interim complaints process at the same time as attempting to implement the PCRP was challenging due to the finite resources we have. By doing both simultaneously we have done a disservice to those who are users of the complaints process as well as the volunteers running the interim program.
- People have raised concerns that the interim system is inequitable. We are taking this opportunity to focus entirely on reviewing the interim complaints process followed by implementing the PCRP and ensure that when the program is un-paused that all the resources, supports, and staff are in effectively in place.
What parts of the interim complaints process were oppressive or racist?
The concerns that have been brought forward indicate that our policies and bylaws are not supportive to everyone. The Board believes that those who have come forward with concerns have experienced harm and we are truly sorry that this occurred. Moving forward we will collaborate with those who came forward to understand the specifics surrounding their concerns in order to rectify the gaps and make meaningful changes in our policies, bylaws, and programs.
What is the review that is mentioned in the announcement?
The Board will proceed with a review of the concerns brought forward. A reviewer, independent of AVLIC, will be hired to conduct the review. A selections committee will be responsible to select the reviewer. The selections committee will include people who have been underrepresented in both the Deaf community and AVLIC, as well as representatives from CAD-ASC & CCSD.
What will the reviewer do?
Using the concerns brought forward as the basis for the review, the reviewer will review the interim complaints process framework as well as the current PCRP bylaws, policies & procedures. The reviewer will report on their findings, identifying where updates can be made to ensure a equitable process is developed.
What happens after the review is complete?
Upon completion of the review a program developer will be hired to oversee the implementation of the full PCRP program using both reports from Lemay-Mcbrearty & the reviewer mentioned above.
How will AVLIC ensure the complaint process developed will be fair and transparent?
During the review and program development, AVLIC will work closely with national Deaf organizations as well as other organizations and various groups to have their first-voices included. If you would like to be involved please contact AVLIC’s executive director at exec_dir@avlic.ca.
When were the bylaws for the complaints process approved?
At the 2015 AGM in Vancouver, BC, membership approved the bylaws for the PCRP program. The report from Sylvie Lemay and Madeline Mcbrearty was also accepted.
Click here to view AVLIC’s bylaws (PCRP bylaws are contained in Section 6)
Click here to view the Lemay-Mcbrearty report.
When were the policies and procedures approved?
In early 2017 the policies and procedures, based on the bylaws, were approved by the AVLIC Board. The policies and procedures were circulated to membership in advance of the approval.
Click here to view to the Complaints Investigation and Resolution Policy
Click here to view the Discipline Hearing Policy
Click here to view the Conflict of Interest Policy
How were the bylaws and policies and procedures drafted?
AVLIC secured the services of George K Bryce, a lawyer from BC who was involved with WAVLI’s Occupational Title Protection process, to draft the bylaws, policies, and procedures based on the report by Sylvie Lemay and Madeline Mcbrearty.
What happens if I want to file a complaint / concern during this temporary program pause?
While the program is paused no new complaints / concerns will be accepted. Anything that happens while the program is paused can be brought forward once the program is operational again. The current bylaws limit the timeframe to submit a concern / complaint to 2 years after the incident took place. The 2 year time limit will be extended for any cases already being processed through the current interim process, as well as for concerns and complaints occurring during the pause and brought forward when the full PCRP program is reopened.
How will information and updates be communicated to our community?
We will continue to send updates and information through the AVLIC E-mail distribution list which includes members and subscribers, as well as our Facebook page. We have partnered with CAD-ASC for information to also be sent through their distribution channels.
What if I have a concern about a WAVLI member?
*If you have a concern about a WAVLI member, please contact the WAVLI Professional Standards Committee at: professionalstandards@wavli.com
