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Commissioner's update for correctional employees:
February 26 , 2024

This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.

Our Mission: The Correctional Service of Canada, as part of the criminal justice system and respecting the rule of law, contributes to public safety by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.

Wednesday, February 28, is Pink Shirt Day in support of anti-bullying initiatives. Whether it takes place in schools, workplaces, homes, or online, bullying is not acceptable. In fact, bullying can have a negative impact on mental health, work performance and interpersonal relationships. Together, we all have a part to play in taking a stand against bullying and upholding a healthy, respectful, and professional workplace for each other.

If you witness or experience any inappropriate situation or conduct, I encourage you to report it and use:

For more information about the EAP and its referral agents, visit the Hub page: 
Employee Assistance Program (internal resource). To show support for this day, I encourage everyone who does not wear a uniform to wear pink on February 28. If you do wear a uniform, you can still participate in Pink Shirt Day outside of work hours.

Take a photo of yourself wearing pink and share it with our Mental Health team.

Send your photo to us at: 
MentalHealth-SanteMentale.GEN-NAT@CSC-SCC.GC.CA

To see the strong show of support from previous years, you can visit the Hub page: Pink Shirt Day (internal resource)

Increasing information sharing with victims

On July 20, 2023, the Minister of Public Safety provided direction requiring our National Victim Services Program to engage victims prior to CSC supporting voluntary offender transfers. Over the past several months, a lot of hard work has been done to prepare for the full implementation of this significant change. This has included providing guidance and direction through information sessions for Case Management and Victim Services employees, which were held across the country last week.

In addition, a Multidisciplinary Victims Committee was struck in November, which was a recommendation of the Review Committee. Chaired by the Assistant Commissioner of Communications and Engagement, Kirstan Gagnon, this 11-member committee included four victims/survivors of crime as well as experts in criminology and corrections. The Committee recently finalized their report, which we will soon share publicly. I am very grateful to all the members of the Committee for their contributions and dedication to improve services
for victims.

Faces of CSC

Diderot Roc

Diderot Roc is a correctional officer at the Federal Training Centre in Quebec. He is the 2023 recipient of the Emerson Douyon multicultural Award.

Read more about how Diderot is helping to advance positive change around him and, more broadly, positive culture change at CSC.

Action plan to support Black public servants

On Wednesday, February 21, the President of the Treasury Board announced the first initiatives of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan to support Black public servants. The development of this plan aims to establish career development programs and mental health supports for Black public servants.

An internal task force, made up of primarily Black employees, will engage through check-ins with employee networks, surveys, and discussions with Black public servants to further engage on the implementation of current and future initiatives under the Action Plan.

I encourage everyone to read the document to learn more about the first initiatives in the action plan:
Government of Canada announces first steps in its Action Plan to support Black public servants

CSC believes that open dialogue and collaboration are essential in advancing our commitment to anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion.

Learn more about CSC’s related initiatives:

Follow us on social media

Did you know that CSC is on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn? These channels are used to raise awareness to Canadians of the important work you do. We currently have a Back to Basics series in which we explain the interventions and services provided to offenders in our care or custody. There is also an ongoing Lift Me Up series of inspiring videos from our staff, volunteers, and offenders. I encourage you to follow our accounts to stay up to date.

Also, it is important to remember that as employees of CSC and as public servants, our comments and activity on social media must abide by both Commissioner’s Directive 060 and the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector  (internal resource).

Appropriate use of Government of Canada mobile devices

Lastly, a reminder that mobile devices, like all government devices, are issued for work purposes. These are Protected B assets that hold sensitive data and provide access to government systems.

While government policy allows for limited personal use of government devices while in Canada, Government of Canada mobile devices should only be taken outside Canada in cases of approved business-related travel and should only be used for government business.

Shared Services Canada (SSC) provides usage data by device to Chief Information Officers and employees should be aware that usage of mobile devices is monitored and subject to public scrutiny. Please continue to follow the appropriate guidelines and ensure that use of your devices remains work-related.

Finally, thank you for your work each and every day.


Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.

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