2026 FPSE Disability Management and Rehab Committee (DMRC) Report – CCFA rep (local 12)

Hello again, friends and colleagues of the CCFA. 

Recently, I attended the provincial, in-person meetings for the Disability Management Rehabilitation Committee in Richmond, BC.  One of my favourite parts of these meetings is meeting other members from across the province to collaborate on difficult cases and come together in solidarity to support institutions and their members, ensuring folks are treated fairly and respectfully during short- or long-term illness (disability-related) leave.   The DRMC committee at Camosun does important work, and it is important that all institutions come together in solidarity.

During this recent meeting, we had the opportunity to listen to a presentation from Jamie Baugh, legal counsel to FPSE.  Jamie spoke at length about some new forms that Manulife is introducing in April.  Specifically, the short-term disability form.  The primary takeaway for me is that this form might be considered a greater threat to privacy than it might at first appear.   Specifically, a lot of questions on the short-term leave forms seem to request information that is not directly relevant to the short-term leave.  For example, asking for medications or the name/type of health care professional one is seeing may have nothing to do with the short-term injury/disability, and may be more related to a pre-existing condition.  Manulife should not be asking for information that is not directly related to the short-term leave.  By offering extra information and de facto disclosing a pre-existing condition, we may jeopardize both our privacy and access to other disability benefits.   My understanding is that FPSE is challenging the usage of this short-term disability form with Manulife.

Finally, I want to announce that I am leaving the DRMC at the end of April.  I strongly urge you to consider sitting on this committee and continuing to represent the CCFA here.  Our local DRMC committee meets about twice a month (every two weeks, generally).  We review cases for members who are on a leave, and my role is to try to ensure folks are treated fairly.  There are also two provincial meetings each year – one in person and one virtual that are important to attend.  I urge you to strongly consider joining this committee, and I would be happy to answer any questions if you want more information.

In solidarity,

Brent Wassermann

Brent Wassermann
ac.ytlucafnusomac@crmd

Instructor – Centre for Accessible Learning, Camosun College Faculty Association, Federation of Post-Secondary Educators – Local 12, Disabilities Management & Rehabilitations Committee (DMRC) Representative

Brent has been living on the unceded and traditional territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples since 2004. He is a proud member of the CCFA, and have been a part of the Camosun community for over 15 years. I currently work with the Centre for Accessible Learning. I love meeting students and hearing their stories, and truly appreciate the opportunity to offer guidance and advice for Camosun student. I hail from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I love cycling, travelling (favourite place maybe – the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona), follow sports (go Oilers!) and share silly moments with friends and family near and far.