CPHR Saskatchewan

Event Schedule:

Back to Event Details

Please select any sessions you wish to attend

Breakout Session #1

		Start Date	End Date	Start Time	End Time
100: The Future of Work: Employment Law Considerations in the Age of AI		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	11:15 AM	12:15 PM	2024-10-02 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Presenter: Amy Gibson & Jianna Rieder \| MLT Aikins LLP. The Future of Work: Employment Law Considerations in the Age of AI Amy Gibson & Jianna Rieder \| MLT Aikins LLP The discourse around Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and its use in the workplace is a hot topic, and discerning its impact – whether beneficial or detrimental – is an issue that many employers are having to face. This session will include an insightful discussion on the intersection of AI and the workplace, including: Exploring how AI is used in the workplace both by employees and organizations; Reviewing Canadian legislation regulating AI use in the workplace and how to ensure organizations stay compliant with the regulatory requirements; Analyzing employment law considerations regarding confidentiality, privacy and human rights implications arising from AI use; A case law update regarding AI use in the workplace; and Considerations for drafting and implementing an AI Use policy. At the end of this session, participants will learn: What type of AI tools are available and how they may be utilized in the workplace; Due diligence risk mitigation in the selection and implementation of AI tools; The current statutory requirements regarding AI use in Canada; How to draft and implement an AI Use policy. The goal is to assist participants in understanding the common legal issues to be aware of when their workplaces are utilizing AI tools, and what risks human resource professionals need to be aware of when using these tools for their own work. Amy Gibson is a partner in the MLT Aikins labour and employment practice group in Saskatoon. She represents and provides guidance to provincially and federally regulated employers on a variety of labour and employment matters. She provides employers with strategic advice and representation regarding union certification drives, collective bargaining, collective agreement interpretation, labour disputes, workplace policies, discipline and discharge, employment contracts, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, labour standards and human rights. She has experience with a variety of court and administrative proceedings as well as representing clients before the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board and in Canada Labour Code unjust dismissal adjudications. She also acts as chief negotiator in collective bargaining. Jianna Rieder is an associate in the MLT Aikins labour and employment practice group in Regina. She provides advice on all matters relating to labour and employment law for both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. Her work extends to advising on employment standards complaints, human rights issues including discrimination and accommodation, employee termination and discipline and drafting employment agreements.
101: How HR Creates Value - The Culture and Performance Equation		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	11:15 AM	12:15 PM	2024-10-02 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Presenter: Greg Honey, FCPHR \| CultureLab How HR Creates Value: The Culture and Performance Equation Greg Honey, FCPHR \| CultureLab Imagine an organization where employees come to work, grow, stay and create outstanding results on things that really matter. Upon entering the building you can feel the energy. The sense of kind, compassionate, dedicated staff is palpable throughout. People are respectful and energized. They seem to be having fun and respect one another. They always greet outsiders in a pleasant and upbeat way. There is a “Buzz” in the organization. As for the business, customers consistently rave about the solutions, products, experience and employees who serve them. Results, commitments, and innovation are always met and exceeded. When you are on the team, you are the envy of the community. “I hear it’s a great place to work” is a common comment when others find out where you work. Is this a dream? Culture inside organizations is a common topic for CEOs. When the end result is what has just been described, it is “Valhalla” for CEOs. It is the objective of many others. Sadly, it just isn’t very common. In fact, it is quite uncommon. When it is achieved it creates a competitive advantage that is not only hard to find, but almost impossible to replicate. The results are outstanding, and they are sustainable over long periods of time. Greg brings an uncommon focus on a critical three-way relationship - The Triad. This is the dynamic relationship between the CEO, the CHRO, and the HR Team. Having all three pillars working in concert creates the recipe for energy and accomplishment. The uncommonly complex combination of behaviours, programs, learning, and development becomes the trademark of success for the organization. The “Culture” conversation is one that can be discussed with pride rather than being avoided because it is seemingly unsolvable. The conversation is uncommon and complex…is purpose-driven, and values based. Sound exciting? Attend this workshop to begin to understand: How to initiate the culture conversation inside organizations; Where to begin creating the foundation for high performance; and How to coach the system (starting with the CEO and CHRO). Greg Honey brings more than 30 years of experience as an HR Professional and Leader navigating the transformation needs of organizations and setting a course to deliver “high performance”. Over the past 23 years, Greg served as the EVP and CHRO at Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Now retired from FCC, Greg is the Principal and Founder of his own company CultureLab. CultureLab exists to inspire people inside organizations, their leaders, and the entire organization. Inspiration is achieved through transformation technology, processes, and HR systems that enable people to live into their purpose while creating the value needed to serve and satisfy customer needs. Greg coaches CEOs and Leaders to set the atmosphere on the team that ultimately leads to that imagined future that everyone wants to experience at work. He advises and coaches CHROs on how to partner with their CEO to bring value and achieve the uncommon. The technology, processes, and behaviours are a complex problem that the HR team takes on with confidence and excitement when they have the knowledge, skill, ability, and expertise to manage the individual parts…and the combined system.
102: Understanding and Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for HR professionals		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	11:15 AM	12:15 PM	2024-10-02 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Presenter: Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro, PhD. \| Anti-racist Feminist Researcher & Educator Understanding and Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for HR professionals Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro, PhD. \| Anti-racist Feminist Researcher & Educator In this presentation, I will provide context on the origins of EDI and discuss how it can successfully transform organizational cultures. While EDI has become part of the practice of almost every organization in the government and nonprofit sectors, we are still needing to move beyond awareness initiatives to embrace deep cultural transformation. From how to collect data in your organizations to how to evaluate the impact of EDI programs, I will provide specific tools that have proven successful. Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro is an experienced and effective anti-oppressive and anti-racist educator, researcher, and advocate with a focus on systems transformation through cultural and institutional change. She holds a PhD in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice and a Master in Women's and Gender Studies from the University of British Columbia. Originally trained as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Valle-Castro encourages and supports organizations to embrace transformation towards creating more inclusive and equitable workspaces.
103: Leadership in an Era of Moral Polarization		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	11:15 AM	12:15 PM	2024-10-02 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Presenter: Morgan Hamel \| Ethicist \| TEDx Speaker \| President, MH Partners Inc. Leadership in an Era of Moral Polarization Morgan Hamel \| Ethicist \| TEDx Speaker \| President of MH Partners Inc. Moral leadership - and the idea of doing the ‘right’ thing in business - has long been talked about as if it were simple. Be professional, follow the code of conduct, and all will be okay. That may have been the case in days gone by, and, in this edge of your seat keynote, business ethicist and TEDx speaker Morgan Hamel makes a strong case that changing stakeholder expectations, paired with the power of social media, have changed the game. Sharing a compelling real-life story from her time as CEO of online ethical fashion marketing company The Garment Inc., Morgan invites audiences to consider where ‘moral polarization’ is showing up in their organizations, and how well equipped they are to navigate it. Centered in a compelling real-life story from her time as CEO of The Garment Inc., an online ethical fashion company, and supported by years of experience in corporate ethics, Hamel reveals how stakeholders’ perspectives on morally charged topics can vary widely, generating unexpected financial and reputational risk. Her antidote is the “De-Polarization Method”, a new and distinct, business-focused, ethics-rooted approach to ESG leadership. Morgan Hamel is an ethicist, TEDx speaker and the President of MH Partners Inc., a boutique consulting firm adept at helping leaders and their organizations navigate a new era of business ethics and reputation risk. With a master’s degree in ethics from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, 11 years spent working in the ethics office of a large organization and real-life polarization experience as the founder and CEO of an ethical fashion marketing firm that generated over $1M in responsible sales in its first corporate year, Morgan brings together the academic, corporate and entrepreneurial aspects of business ethics in a way that doesn’t exist elsewhere.

Breakout Session #2

		Start Date	End Date	Start Time	End Time
200: The Future of Work: Employment Law Considerations in the Age of AI		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	2024-10-02 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presenter: Amy Gibson & Jianna Rieder \| MLT Aikins LLP. The Future of Work: Employment Law Considerations in the Age of AI Amy Gibson & Jianna Rieder \| MLT Aikins LLP The discourse around Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and its use in the workplace is a hot topic, and discerning its impact – whether beneficial or detrimental – is an issue that many employers are having to face. This session will include an insightful discussion on the intersection of AI and the workplace, including: Exploring how AI is used in the workplace both by employees and organizations; Reviewing Canadian legislation regulating AI use in the workplace and how to ensure organizations stay compliant with the regulatory requirements; Analyzing employment law considerations regarding confidentiality, privacy and human rights implications arising from AI use; A case law update regarding AI use in the workplace; and Considerations for drafting and implementing an AI Use policy. At the end of this session, participants will learn: What type of AI tools are available and how they may be utilized in the workplace; Due diligence risk mitigation in the selection and implementation of AI tools; The current statutory requirements regarding AI use in Canada; How to draft and implement an AI Use policy. The goal is to assist participants in understanding the common legal issues to be aware of when their workplaces are utilizing AI tools, and what risks human resource professionals need to be aware of when using these tools for their own work. Amy Gibson is a partner in the MLT Aikins labour and employment practice group in Saskatoon. She represents and provides guidance to provincially and federally regulated employers on a variety of labour and employment matters. She provides employers with strategic advice and representation regarding union certification drives, collective bargaining, collective agreement interpretation, labour disputes, workplace policies, discipline and discharge, employment contracts, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, labour standards and human rights. She has experience with a variety of court and administrative proceedings as well as representing clients before the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board and in Canada Labour Code unjust dismissal adjudications. She also acts as chief negotiator in collective bargaining. Jianna Rieder is an associate in the MLT Aikins labour and employment practice group in Regina. She provides advice on all matters relating to labour and employment law for both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. Her work extends to advising on employment standards complaints, human rights issues including discrimination and accommodation, employee termination and discipline and drafting employment agreements.
201: How HR Creates Value - The Culture and Performance Equation		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	2024-10-02 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presenter: Greg Honey, FCPHR \| CultureLab How HR Creates Value: The Culture and Performance Equation Greg Honey, FCPHR \| CultureLab Imagine an organization where employees come to work, grow, stay and create outstanding results on things that really matter. Upon entering the building you can feel the energy. The sense of kind, compassionate, dedicated staff is palpable throughout. People are respectful and energized. They seem to be having fun and respect one another. They always greet outsiders in a pleasant and upbeat way. There is a “Buzz” in the organization. As for the business, customers consistently rave about the solutions, products, experience and employees who serve them. Results, commitments, and innovation are always met and exceeded. When you are on the team, you are the envy of the community. “I hear it’s a great place to work” is a common comment when others find out where you work. Is this a dream? Culture inside organizations is a common topic for CEOs. When the end result is what has just been described, it is “Valhalla” for CEOs. It is the objective of many others. Sadly, it just isn’t very common. In fact, it is quite uncommon. When it is achieved it creates a competitive advantage that is not only hard to find, but almost impossible to replicate. The results are outstanding, and they are sustainable over long periods of time. Greg brings an uncommon focus on a critical three-way relationship - The Triad. This is the dynamic relationship between the CEO, the CHRO, and the HR Team. Having all three pillars working in concert creates the recipe for energy and accomplishment. The uncommonly complex combination of behaviours, programs, learning, and development becomes the trademark of success for the organization. The “Culture” conversation is one that can be discussed with pride rather than being avoided because it is seemingly unsolvable. The conversation is uncommon and complex…is purpose-driven, and values based. Sound exciting? Attend this workshop to begin to understand: How to initiate the culture conversation inside organizations; Where to begin creating the foundation for high performance; and How to coach the system (starting with the CEO and CHRO). Greg Honey brings more than 30 years of experience as an HR Professional and Leader navigating the transformation needs of organizations and setting a course to deliver “high performance”. Over the past 23 years, Greg served as the EVP and CHRO at Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Now retired from FCC, Greg is the Principal and Founder of his own company CultureLab. CultureLab exists to inspire people inside organizations, their leaders, and the entire organization. Inspiration is achieved through transformation technology, processes, and HR systems that enable people to live into their purpose while creating the value needed to serve and satisfy customer needs. Greg coaches CEOs and Leaders to set the atmosphere on the team that ultimately leads to that imagined future that everyone wants to experience at work. He advises and coaches CHROs on how to partner with their CEO to bring value and achieve the uncommon. The technology, processes, and behaviours are a complex problem that the HR team takes on with confidence and excitement when they have the knowledge, skill, ability, and expertise to manage the individual parts…and the combined system.
202: Understanding and Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for HR professionals		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	2024-10-02 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presenter: Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro, PhD. \| Anti-racist Feminist Researcher & Educator Understanding and Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for HR professionals Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro, PhD. \| Anti-racist Feminist Researcher & Educator In this presentation, I will provide context on the origins of EDI and discuss how it can successfully transform organizational cultures. While EDI has become part of the practice of almost every organization in the government and nonprofit sectors, we are still needing to move beyond awareness initiatives to embrace deep cultural transformation. From how to collect data in your organizations to how to evaluate the impact of EDI programs, I will provide specific tools that have proven successful. Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro is an experienced and effective anti-oppressive and anti-racist educator, researcher, and advocate with a focus on systems transformation through cultural and institutional change. She holds a PhD in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice and a Master in Women's and Gender Studies from the University of British Columbia. Originally trained as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Valle-Castro encourages and supports organizations to embrace transformation towards creating more inclusive and equitable workspaces.
203: Leadership in an Era of Moral Polarization		2024-10-02	2024-10-02	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	2024-10-02 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presenter: Morgan Hamel \| Ethicist \| TEDx Speaker \| President, MH Partners Inc. Leadership in an Era of Moral Polarization Morgan Hamel \| Ethicist \| TEDx Speaker \| President of MH Partners Inc. Moral leadership - and the idea of doing the ‘right’ thing in business - has long been talked about as if it were simple. Be professional, follow the code of conduct, and all will be okay. That may have been the case in days gone by, and, in this edge of your seat keynote, business ethicist and TEDx speaker Morgan Hamel makes a strong case that changing stakeholder expectations, paired with the power of social media, have changed the game. Sharing a compelling real-life story from her time as CEO of online ethical fashion marketing company The Garment Inc., Morgan invites audiences to consider where ‘moral polarization’ is showing up in their organizations, and how well equipped they are to navigate it. Centered in a compelling real-life story from her time as CEO of The Garment Inc., an online ethical fashion company, and supported by years of experience in corporate ethics, Hamel reveals how stakeholders’ perspectives on morally charged topics can vary widely, generating unexpected financial and reputational risk. Her antidote is the “De-Polarization Method”, a new and distinct, business-focused, ethics-rooted approach to ESG leadership. Morgan Hamel is an ethicist, TEDx speaker and the President of MH Partners Inc., a boutique consulting firm adept at helping leaders and their organizations navigate a new era of business ethics and reputation risk. With a master’s degree in ethics from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, 11 years spent working in the ethics office of a large organization and real-life polarization experience as the founder and CEO of an ethical fashion marketing firm that generated over $1M in responsible sales in its first corporate year, Morgan brings together the academic, corporate and entrepreneurial aspects of business ethics in a way that doesn’t exist elsewhere.

Breakout Session #3

		Start Date	End Date	Start Time	End Time
300: Cultivating Mental Resilience in the Face of Technological Disruption		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	2024-10-03 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Marc Champagne \| Author \| Podcast Host \| Keynote Speaker \| Mental Fitness Strategist Cultivating Mental Resilience in the Face of Technological Disruption Marc Champagne \| Bestselling Author \| Podcast Host \| Keynote Speaker \| Mental Fitness Strategist In this session, we'll explore proactive strategies to equip our teams with the mental resilience needed to navigate the massive technological shifts on the horizon. Through guided discussion and targeted questions, I'll facilitate an interactive dialogue aimed at uncovering practical approaches to fortify the collective mindset of our organizations. Together, we'll identify actionable steps that can be implemented today to safeguard mental well-being and lay a foundation for future readiness. As the author of the best-selling book Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life and host of the top-50 ranked podcast Behind The Human, Marc Champagne has spent over a decade studying the mental fitness practices of some of the world’s most successful and brilliant thinkers. He specializes in training teams to integrate tailored mental fitness practices designed to help them clear out mental clutter to overcome overwhelm, calmly navigate high-stress situations, and enhance their creativity, clarity, and focus.
301: Borderless Talent- How to Excel in International Hiring and Avoid Pitfalls		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	2024-10-03 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Adaeze Aja, Associate Lawyer \| McDougall Gauley LLP Borderless Talent- How to Excel in International Hiring and Avoid Pitfalls Adaeze Aja, Associate Lawyer \| McDougall Gauley LLP Are you an HR professional working through the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Saskatchewan? Join our insightful session as we explore the complexities of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. We will cover exemptions and eligibility criteria , legal considerations to help you avoid common pitfalls, tips on hiring and retaining foreign workers, and practical scenarios that provide actionable takeaways for ensuring immigration compliance. Key Takeaways: Understand the legal framework and roadmap for recruiting international talent into Saskatchewan. Navigating the Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination Program (SINP) process for prospective employers Overview of Saskatchewan’s new immigration legislation replacing the current FWRISA Act Understand the legal obligations for employers when hiring foreign workers and avoiding pitfalls. Ada is an associate at the Regina office of McDougall Gauley LLP practicing immigration law and other practice areas. She began her legal career in 2007 after her call to the Nigerian Bar and practiced as an in-house counsel for over a decade with a major oil and gas company in Nigeria. Following her move to Canada in 2019, Ada recertified and was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2023. She is actively involved in several community and professional initiatives where she volunteers her time and expertise to cater to the evolving needs of Saskatchewan’s diverse demographics. Ada is energized by interacting with people, exploring nature and travel.
302: Compensation: Keeping Up in an Ever-Evolving Function		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	2024-10-03 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Gary Mearns, FCPHR \| Semi - Retired Compensation: Keeping Up in an Ever-Evolving Function Gary Mearns, B.Comm., MBA, CPHR, SHRP, FCPHR \| Semi- Retired Compensation professionals are continually being challenged to provide increased value and support for the recruitment and retention of employees, while keeping control of costs. The changing economy, increasing salary pressures and new areas of benefits will be discussed along with their impact on the Total Rewards being offered by organizations. Gary Mearns has had an extensive lifelong career in the field of Human Resource Management during which time he led the human resources function of three large organizations. During his career, he also held specialist roles in recruitment, compensation and labour relations. Gary owns and manages GMA Consulting, a boutique consulting firm specializing in labour relations assistance to small and medium sized organizations. He has also been the Principal Consultant, Human Resources, for Morris Interactive since 2019 during which time he has been involved in a variety of human resources projects. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Mr. Mearns received both his undergraduate degree in Commerce and his MBA from the University of Saskatchewan. He achieved his Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation in 1997, the Senior Human Resource Professional designation in 2012, and a Fellow of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (FCPHR) in 2023 as recognition for his contribution to the HR field over his career. His human resources knowledge has also been applied in the classroom, where Gary instructed various extension classes over an eight-year period for SIAST’s Human Resources Diploma program and as a Sessional Instructor in the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan since 2016. He was a mentor for almost 15 years for human resource management students in the Edwards School of Business at the U. of S. and has been a speaker on various human resource topics before local, provincial and international audiences. Gary’s work in the human resources field was recognized in 2006 when he was awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. Gary has been an active volunteer in many organizations over his career, having been a founding board member and past-president of the Saskatoon Crime Stoppers program, board member and past-president of the Saskatoon Human Resources Association, board member and past-president of the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association, board member and past-president of the Co-operative Superannuation Pension Plan, board member and past-president of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Saskatchewan, and a past-president of his church board. He also coached minor league basketball for six years. Gary and his wife have enjoyed a 46-year marriage, and they have two grown sons. His interests include travelling, watching sports, and reading.
303: Revolutionizing HR: Unveiling the Power of Generative AI		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	10:30 AM	11:30 AM	2024-10-03 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Melina Gillies, CPHR – Chief People & Experience Officer \| FlexNetworks Revolutionizing HR: Unveiling the Power of Generative AI Melina Gillies, CPHR - Chief People & Experience Officer \| FlexNetworks Tailored for HR professionals, this talk aims to clarify the capabilities and implications of Generative AI, while debunking widespread myths. We delve into the heart of Generative AI, differentiating between reality and misconceptions, and addressing common apprehensions. Discover the transformative role of AI in recruitment, employee engagement, and performance analysis, and how it redefines HR practices. A significant focus of the session is on ethical considerations and bias mitigation, ensuring fairness and integrity in AI applications. What Participants Will Learn: How to integrate Generative AI into HR processes for enhanced decision making. Strategies to boost operational efficiency using machine learning. Policy considerations to assist organizations in policy creation for AI use. The session wraps up with an interactive Q&A, ensuring participants leave with a thorough understanding of AI's potential in HR and the knowledge to make informed decisions on shaping a responsible AI-enabled future in the workplace. Honoured as one of CIO Magazine's "Top 10 HR Executives in Tech," Melina Gillies is a certified HR Executive, bringing two decades of HR and consulting experience to the forefront. With both public, private and government experience, she is a sought-after speaker on remote and hybrid engagement strategies, board relations, and the use of generative AI at work. As the Chief People and Experience Officer at FlexNetworks, headquartered in Saskatoon, Melina offers globally-informed insights tailored to local needs. Her "duty of care" philosophy prioritizes a human-first approach, enabling organizations to navigate the complexities of the modern work landscape effectively. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity, Melina leverages her own experience with combination ADHD to champion the power of diverse thinking in the workplace. When she’s not driving HR innovation, Melina travels North America in her travel trailer with her family, co-hosting the popular "RV Canucks" podcast.

Breakout Session #4

		Start Date	End Date	Start Time	End Time
400: Cultivating Mental Resilience in the Face of Technological Disruption		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	1:00 PM	2:00 PM	2024-10-03 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Presenter: Marc Champagne \| Author \| Podcast Host \| Keynote Speaker \| Mental Fitness Strategist Cultivating Mental Resilience in the Face of Technological Disruption Marc Champagne \| Bestselling Author \| Podcast Host \| Keynote Speaker \| Mental Fitness Strategist In this session, we'll explore proactive strategies to equip our teams with the mental resilience needed to navigate the massive technological shifts on the horizon. Through guided discussion and targeted questions, I'll facilitate an interactive dialogue aimed at uncovering practical approaches to fortify the collective mindset of our organizations. Together, we'll identify actionable steps that can be implemented today to safeguard mental well-being and lay a foundation for future readiness. As the author of the best-selling book Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life and host of the top-50 ranked podcast Behind The Human, Marc Champagne has spent over a decade studying the mental fitness practices of some of the world’s most successful and brilliant thinkers. He specializes in training teams to integrate tailored mental fitness practices designed to help them clear out mental clutter to overcome overwhelm, calmly navigate high-stress situations, and enhance their creativity, clarity, and focus.
401: Borderless Talent- How to Excel in International Hiring and Avoid Pitfalls		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	1:00 PM	2:00 PM	2024-10-03 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Presenter: Adaeze Aja, Associate Lawyer \| McDougall Gauley LLP Borderless Talent- How to Excel in International Hiring and Avoid Pitfalls Adaeze Aja, Associate Lawyer \| McDougall Gauley LLP Are you an HR professional working through the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Saskatchewan? Join our insightful session as we explore the complexities of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. We will cover exemptions and eligibility criteria , legal considerations to help you avoid common pitfalls, tips on hiring and retaining foreign workers, and practical scenarios that provide actionable takeaways for ensuring immigration compliance. Key Takeaways: Understand the legal framework and roadmap for recruiting international talent into Saskatchewan. Navigating the Saskatchewan Immigration Nomination Program (SINP) process for prospective employers Overview of Saskatchewan’s new immigration legislation replacing the current FWRISA Act Understand the legal obligations for employers when hiring foreign workers and avoiding pitfalls. Ada is an associate at the Regina office of McDougall Gauley LLP practicing immigration law and other practice areas. She began her legal career in 2007 after her call to the Nigerian Bar and practiced as an in-house counsel for over a decade with a major oil and gas company in Nigeria. Following her move to Canada in 2019, Ada recertified and was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2023. She is actively involved in several community and professional initiatives where she volunteers her time and expertise to cater to the evolving needs of Saskatchewan’s diverse demographics. Ada is energized by interacting with people, exploring nature and travel.
402: Compensation: Keeping Up in an Ever-Evolving Function		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	1:00 PM	2:00 PM	2024-10-03 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Presenter: Gary Mearns, FCPHR \| Semi - Retired Compensation: Keeping Up in an Ever-Evolving Function Gary Mearns, B.Comm., MBA, CPHR, SHRP, FCPHR \| Semi- Retired Compensation professionals are continually being challenged to provide increased value and support for the recruitment and retention of employees, while keeping control of costs. The changing economy, increasing salary pressures and new areas of benefits will be discussed along with their impact on the Total Rewards being offered by organizations. Gary Mearns has had an extensive lifelong career in the field of Human Resource Management during which time he led the human resources function of three large organizations. During his career, he also held specialist roles in recruitment, compensation and labour relations. Gary owns and manages GMA Consulting, a boutique consulting firm specializing in labour relations assistance to small and medium sized organizations. He has also been the Principal Consultant, Human Resources, for Morris Interactive since 2019 during which time he has been involved in a variety of human resources projects. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Mr. Mearns received both his undergraduate degree in Commerce and his MBA from the University of Saskatchewan. He achieved his Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation in 1997, the Senior Human Resource Professional designation in 2012, and a Fellow of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (FCPHR) in 2023 as recognition for his contribution to the HR field over his career. His human resources knowledge has also been applied in the classroom, where Gary instructed various extension classes over an eight-year period for SIAST’s Human Resources Diploma program and as a Sessional Instructor in the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan since 2016. He was a mentor for almost 15 years for human resource management students in the Edwards School of Business at the U. of S. and has been a speaker on various human resource topics before local, provincial and international audiences. Gary’s work in the human resources field was recognized in 2006 when he was awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. Gary has been an active volunteer in many organizations over his career, having been a founding board member and past-president of the Saskatoon Crime Stoppers program, board member and past-president of the Saskatoon Human Resources Association, board member and past-president of the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association, board member and past-president of the Co-operative Superannuation Pension Plan, board member and past-president of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Saskatchewan, and a past-president of his church board. He also coached minor league basketball for six years. Gary and his wife have enjoyed a 46-year marriage, and they have two grown sons. His interests include travelling, watching sports, and reading.
403: Revolutionizing HR: Unveiling the Power of Generative AI		2024-10-03	2024-10-03	1:00 PM	2:00 PM	2024-10-03 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Presenter: Melina Gillies, CPHR – Chief People & Experience Officer \| FlexNetworks Revolutionizing HR: Unveiling the Power of Generative AI Melina Gillies, CPHR - Chief People & Experience Officer \| FlexNetworks Tailored for HR professionals, this talk aims to clarify the capabilities and implications of Generative AI, while debunking widespread myths. We delve into the heart of Generative AI, differentiating between reality and misconceptions, and addressing common apprehensions. Discover the transformative role of AI in recruitment, employee engagement, and performance analysis, and how it redefines HR practices. A significant focus of the session is on ethical considerations and bias mitigation, ensuring fairness and integrity in AI applications. What Participants Will Learn: How to integrate Generative AI into HR processes for enhanced decision making. Strategies to boost operational efficiency using machine learning. Policy considerations to assist organizations in policy creation for AI use. The session wraps up with an interactive Q&A, ensuring participants leave with a thorough understanding of AI's potential in HR and the knowledge to make informed decisions on shaping a responsible AI-enabled future in the workplace. Honoured as one of CIO Magazine's "Top 10 HR Executives in Tech," Melina Gillies is a certified HR Executive, bringing two decades of HR and consulting experience to the forefront. With both public, private and government experience, she is a sought-after speaker on remote and hybrid engagement strategies, board relations, and the use of generative AI at work. As the Chief People and Experience Officer at FlexNetworks, headquartered in Saskatoon, Melina offers globally-informed insights tailored to local needs. Her "duty of care" philosophy prioritizes a human-first approach, enabling organizations to navigate the complexities of the modern work landscape effectively. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity, Melina leverages her own experience with combination ADHD to champion the power of diverse thinking in the workplace. When she’s not driving HR innovation, Melina travels North America in her travel trailer with her family, co-hosting the popular "RV Canucks" podcast.

Latest News more

2025-06-17Visionary Voices Catalogue

2025-05-27The Work-Sharing Program: Critical Support at a Time of Tariffs

Calendar more

2025-12-08
CPD Info Session

2025-12-09
Conducting Credibility Assessments Workshop

Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Saskatchewan (CPHR Saskatchewan)
#210, 3501 8th Street East / Saskatoon, Sask. / S7H 0W5
tel: 306.242.2747 / email: info@cphrsk.ca

People Leading Business.™

o

Association Management Software Powered by YourMembership :: Legal