Volume 29, No. 3 Editor: Bob Rupert November, 1998. PROFESSIONAL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT AND TAXATION In the spring of 1998, the University of Ottawa sought and got a positive ruling from Revenue Canada that PER is non-taxable. However, during its first university audit at Simon Fraser, Revenue Canada decided the Professional Expense Reimbursement ($1,200 at SFU) is taxable. The reason was control of the money. Since the university does not specify as a condition of employment that Professor X must subscribe to journal Y, it is his/her choice and therefore taxable, Revenue Canada reasoned. The same applies to conferences as it is not spelled out that attendance at a specific conference is a condition of employment and the university does not approve your attendance at this specific conference - thus it is a taxable benefit, Revenue Canada maintains. SFU's plan and Carleton's are similar (with the exception of the value) so this concerns CUASA. Both the SFU faculty association and management intend to fight the ruling. SFUFA has called on the CAUT for assistance. CUASA will continue to monitor this issue. OHIP AND OUT-OF-PROVINCE COVERAGE The employer has advised CUASA that academics at other universities are finding that OHIP is now vigorously enforcing rules on the amount of time you can be out of province and be covered by OHIP. While you can have any number of absences of up to 6 months you have to write for an exemption if you plan to be out of province for longer than 6 months. For some years, the rule has been that the maximum cumulative exemption allowable is 2 YEARS IN YOUR LIFETIME. Now that this rule is being vigorously enforced some academics find their OHIP is cut off when they take their third out-of-province sabbatical. This is of concern not only because it leaves academics without OHIP coverage but because our Out-of-Province Health Care Plan, the Dental Plan and the Extended Health Care Plan REMAIN IN EFFECT ONLY IF OHIP IS IN PLACE. Management has taken steps to try to alleviate the problem by arranging for coverage through UHIP. This coverage is a complete replacement for OHIP and all benefit plans remain in place. However, there is a cost of approximately $700 per year to the individual using UHIP. When people go on a sabbatical, Human Resources advises them that if they will be out of province for more than 6 months they must apply to OHIP for an extension and explains the options should OHIP refuse. This warning does not pertain to those covered under the Quebec Health Insurance Plan. For further information, contact Human Resources. CUASA SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED This year two CUASA Scholarships were awarded because the individual selected last year's chose not come to Carleton. The two recipients are Mr. Robert Davis (third year Aerospace program) GPA 11.9 and Miss Lisa Roberts (third year Bachelor of Commerce program) GPA 12. PAT FINN AWAY NOVEMBER 16, 1998 TO FEBRUARY 15, 1999 CUASA's Executive Director, Pat Finn, will spend the first half of her 6-month sabbatical at the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. For the 3 months, Mike Fox, President of CUASA, will be looking after Pat's responsibilities. Mike can be reached at 8128 in the Geography Department or via email at: mike_fox@carleton.ca CUASA COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS JOINT COMMITTEE TO ADMINISTER THE AGREEMENT Mike Fox, Alistair Tilson, Sonya Lipsett-Rivera, Peter Fitzgerald GRIEVANCE SUB-COMMITTE (JCAA) Keith Bell, Frances Montgomery, Gerald de Montigny SALARY RATIONALISATION COMMISSION Les Copley, Kanta Marwah, Hymie Anisman BENEFITS COMMITTEE John Callahan, Pat Finn FINANCE COMMITTEE Susan Jackson, Mike Fox, Sonya Lipsett-Rivera, Pat Finn ELECTORAL COMMITTEE Colleen Lundy, Pat Finn RECIPROCAL FREE TUITION Pat Finn MID CAREER OPTIONS ADVISOR Pat Finn PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE Bob Rupert, Pat Finn ERGONOMICS COMMITTEE Brian Burns, Don Westwood JCAA SUB-COMMITTEE ON ITV/ELECTRONIC TEACHING Michael MacNeil, Tim Pychyl, Don Westwood STATUS OF WOMEN COMMITTEE Fran Cherry, Frances Montgomery, Pauline Rankin, Peter Swan CAUT DEFENCE FUND TRUSTEES Mark Langer, Alistair Tilson PENSION COMMITTEE Bill Lawson, Geza Kardos SENATE ACADEMIC PLANNING COMMITTEE OBSERVER Kanta Marwah EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Linda Weckler-Advokaat PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Gurli Woods, Percy Walton PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON SAFETY Fran Klodawsky PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS Angela Carr JOINT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE Ed Lai HOUSING NOTICES CUASA provides a list of housing notices as a service to its members. Notices must be submitted to the CUASA office in writing, either by mail, fax or email. Housing notices will not be accepted over the phone. CUASA cannot guarantee the placement of notices. Previous issues are available on the CUASA Web page under the heading CUASA Resources. Newly built, modern, comfortable, fully equipped and furnished in a country setting 45 minutes from Ottawa on approximately 15,00 square metres of wooded land facing south looking over Lake Notre-Dame. Living, Dining, Kitchen, Powder Room, Family Room, Bathroom, Laundry Room, upstairs 3 Bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Forced air heating and wood stove. For further information contact Ms. Anne-Gakl Madore (514) 521-8474. Old Ottawa South: fully furnished three bedroom home within easy walking distance of Carleton University and the canal; separate living and dining rooms; all appliances; fenced yard. Prefer professional couple. $1250 per month plus utilities. Available January 1-July 1, 1999 (possibility for August 30). Call 730-5977 or 520-26700 x8069. Ottawa South: January 1, 1999 to June 30, 1999. Family home; furnished, 5 bedrooms 2 bathrooms, parking. Close to Carleton/Brewer Park/Bank St. $1500 per month plus utilities. Call Wilson, 730-4818