Anti-Racism Diversity Equity Inclusion at Correctional Service Canada
It’s important that our workforce reflects the diversity of the Canadian population and that of our offender population, and our employees know that diversity, equity and inclusion is valued and is a priority.
That’s why the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) has been working hard to advance anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the Service to foster a more inclusive workplace and culture for all.
Watch
Video message from Kirstan Gagnon, CSC’s champion for anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and Michael Olotu, CSC’s champion for multiculturalism.
Transcript
Kirstan: Hi I’m Kirstan Gagnon, Assistant Commissioner of Communications and Engagement. I’m also CSC’s champion for anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Michael: Hi I’m Michael Olotu, Director General of Rights, Redress and Resolution. I’m the champion for multiculturalism at CSC.
Michael: Today, we wanted to share that our 2021-2023 progress report on anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion is available to read online. While we are proud to share this progress with you, we also recognize that there is much more work that remains to be done.
Kirstan: This progress report outlines the concrete actions we’ve taken towards systemic change for our employees, the stakeholders we work with and those in our care and custody in the federal correctional system.
Michael: For our employees, we’ve launched a Comprehensive Plan on Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for 2022-2025 to remove barriers and ensure equal opportunities for employees in our workplace.
Kirstan: For those in our care and custody, we’ve appointed our first-ever Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections. We’ve piloted new initiatives like the Black Social History and African Canadian Reintegration Officer, and also announced the development of a Black Offender Strategy to address overrepresentation of Black Canadians in the federal correctional system. As well, we’ve created and implemented new policies including Commissioner’s Directive 100 to provide direction on gender-diverse offenders.
Michael: While we’ve accomplished a lot in the last two years, there is more work to do. Our efforts are ongoing and we’ve committed to making this a priority. That’s why we’ve created a new anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion directorate within CSC that is helping us advance this important work.
Kirstan: We invite to you to read the progress report to learn more about what we’ve done and what we’re doing. In the coming months we have also committed to launching a second version of the Anti-Racism Framework, which will be developed with input from consultations that have been taking place across the country.
Michael: You can also find a placemat ‘report card’ version of the report, as well as articles and videos of diversity and representation in action at CSC on our new web page. Thank you.
Highlights
Downloads
Read
About diversity and representation in action:
Kathy Neil is the new Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections. Highlighting the work of Elders and collaborating with Indigenous organizations and communities are her top priorities. Find out more about how she is bringing an Indigenous lens to corrections.
Three new liaison officers successfully pilot culturally appropriate community reintegration.
The 2023 ethnocultural wall calendar features colourful artwork and thought-provoking poems. Each month’s original art is created by a different incarcerated individual.
People. That’s what inspires Jude Clyke to come to work every day. Jude’s lifelong passion and commitment to helping people succeed—both in his community and at work—are why he was recently recognized as the 2021–2022 recipient of the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) Emerson Douyon Multiculturalism Award.
Fit Life is a physical fitness program developed by Kwame Osei, a CSC educator with a physical education and coaching background. The program is seeing healthy outcomes with inmates at the Structured Intervention Unit (SIU) at Millhaven Institution, a maximum-security penitentiary near Kingston, Ontario.
Watch
Diversity and representation in action:
Set the path
Listen to Kathy Neil, the first Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections, in her own words about Indigenous corrections.
Olabanji, a mental health nurse responsible for managing the psychiatric clinics in a federal institution for women, speaks openly and honestly about how she enjoys the unpredictability of her daily routine.
Meet Tunde, a Correctional Officer who works in the Structured Intervention Units (SIUs) at Correctional Service Canada who talks about the human side to his work and the importance of CSC’s programs. Correctional Officers help keep our institutions healthy and safe, and like Tunde, also play an important role in helping to change the lives of individuals within our care.
Kwame, a teacher in a structured intervention unit, shares his personal experience working with offenders and how academic and physical education can lead to personal growth and meaningful relationships.
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