HSAS Committees

Click on a Committee below for more information


2025 Annual Convention Committee

Chair – Crystal Bittman, Executive Council and Occupational Therapist, Union Region 11

Committee Support:
Mark Jagoe, Manager of Finance & Operations
Natalie Horejda, Manager of Communications
Jess Grant, Communications Officer
Alicia Hupp, Communications Officer

Following the Annual Convention each year, Executive Council elects chairs for each committee. Shortly thereafter, each Chair selects members from Executive Council, and sometimes members-at-large to be a part of the committee. The Annual Convention Committee is responsible for making arrangements for the Annual Convention within the budget approved by the Executive Council.

Communications Committee

Chair – Colleen Howe, Executive Council and Assessor Coordinator, Union Region 11


Karen Schmid, President and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7 (Ex-Officio)
Al Boutin, Executive Director

Committee Support:
Natalie Horejda, Manager of Communications
Kim Canning, Associate Executive Director – Labour Relations
Mark Jagoe, Manager of Finance & Operations
Jess Grant, Communications Officer
Alicia Hupp, Communications Officer

The Communications Committee is responsible for developing a communications strategy regarding internal and external communications.

Executive Committee

Chair – Karen Schmid, President and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7

Crystal Bittman, Vice-President and Occupational Therapist, Union Region 11
Shelby Solomko, Secretary and Social Worker, Union Region 7
Colleen Howe, Treasurer and Assessor Coordinator, Union Region 11

Committee Support:
Al Boutin, Executive Director
Kim Canning, Associate Executive Director – Labour Relations
Mark Jagoe, Manager of Finance & Operations
Natalie Horejda, Manager of Communications
Heather Zazula, Executive Assistant

Grievance Committee

Chair – Haley Oshowy, Executive Council and Dietitian, Union Region 10

Committee Support:
Kim Canning, Associate Executive Director – Labour Relations

The Grievance Committee is responsible for ensuring that all HSAS members are represented in a fair, consistent and reasonable manner.  This Committee will hear a member’s appeal of a decision by the Labour Relations Staff not to advance her grievance to arbitration.

Governance Committee

Chair – Karen Schmid, President and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7

Committee Support:
Al Boutin, Executive Director
Kim Canning, Associate Executive Director – Labour Relations
Heather Zazula, Executive Assistant

The Governance Committee is responsible for assisting Executive Council in all matters pertaining to the HSAS Constitution and Bylaws.

Finance Committee

Chair – Colleen Howe, Treasurer and Assessor Coordinator, Union Region 11


Karen Schmid, President and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7 (Ex-Officio)

Committee Support:
Mark Jagoe, Manager of Finance & Operations
Heather Zazula, Executive Assistant

The Finance Committee is responsible for managing the finances of HSAS.  Duties include:

  • Supervising the preparation of the annual budget.
  • Monitoring all revenue and expenditures in relationship to the budget

The Finance Committee also oversees the following portfolios:

  • Education Funds
  • Charitable Donations
  • Professional Contributions
  • Emergency Fund
Negotiating Committee

Chair – Kim Canning, Associate Executive Director – Labour Relations

Al Boutin, Executive Director
Karen Schmid, President and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7
Crystal Bittman, Vice-President and Occupational Therapist, Union Region 11
Angela Barsalou, Executive Council and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7
Cori Debert, Executive Council and Speech Language Pathologist, Union Region 7
Haley Oshowy, Executive Council and Dietitian, Union Region 10
Marisa Kermack, Executive Council and Social Worker, Union Region 7
Amy Ewart, Board of Governor and Mental Health Therapist, Union Region 11

Staff:
Natalie Horejda, Manager of Communications
Judy Dodman, Labour Relations Coordinator

IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Advocacy) Committee

Chair – Marisa Kermack, Executive Council and Social Worker, Union Region 7

Committee Support:
Natalie Horejda, Communications Manager

Occupational Health & Safety Committee

Chair – Adam Bue, Executive Council and Physical Therapist, Union Region 7


Karen Schmid, President and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7 (Ex-Officio)

Committee Support:
Natalie Horejda, Manager of Communications
Kim Canning, Associate Executive Director – Labour Relations
Braden White, Senior Labour Relations Officer
Nick Fattore, Labour Relations Officer

The OH&S Committee develops and implements a process approved by Executive Council for the selection and tracking of HSAS Members to local OH&S Committees.

Strategic Planning Committee

Chair – Karen Schmid, President and Respiratory Therapist, Union Region 7

Committee Support:
Al Boutin, Executive Director
Kim Canning, Associate Executive Director – Labour Relations
Mark Jagoe, Manager of Finance & Operations
Natalie Horejda, Manager of Communications