Commissioner's update for correctional employees: November 4, 2024

This week is National Diversity Week at CSC, an opportunity to celebrate and cultivate diversity in our workplace and communities. I encourage you to be part of the change every day, and this week is the perfect time to reflect on how best to do that. The theme this year is “Building an Inclusive Workplace: Taking Steps Toward a Better Future Today.”

Our workplace is made up of more than 18,000 people of different ages, ethnicities, religions, physical and intellectual abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, languages and cultures. I’m proud of this diversity. I encourage everyone to continue to take steps towards creating a more inclusive and diverse organization.

Take some time this week to reflect on, and learn more, about diversity at our workplace. It’s truly something for us to be proud of.

Louise’s Legacy: The tragic Loss that Transformed Community Corrections

In my weekly message a few weeks ago, I shared that some CSC staff went to Yellowknife to mark that 20 years ago, Louise Pargeter, one of our Parole Officers working out of Yellowknife, tragically lost her life while on duty. I mentioned that our Communications team was working on an expanded article to commemorate Louise’s legacy and promote awareness of the important work of the Advisory Committee on Community Staff Safety. This Committee was established after her passing and has been going ever since.

You can read the article in the link below:

• Louise’s legacy: The tragic loss that transformed community corrections

Honouring our Veterans

Every year, Veterans Week, Indigenous Veterans’ Day and Remembrance Day serve as a time dedicated to honouring the sacrifices of those brave individuals who have served our country in times of war, conflict, and peace. We honour all veterans, past and present, and are deeply grateful for their sacrifices that have preserved our freedom.

On November 8, we specifically recognize Indigenous Veterans who have participated in missions worldwide. We remember the Indigenous Peoples who have and continue to proudly serve Canada. We stand in gratitude and respect for their sacrifices.

On November 11, Remembrance Day, we will gather in ceremonies across the country to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and all our veterans who came home.

I encourage everyone to wear a red poppy to recognize the courageous efforts and sacrifices of our veterans. A special thank you to all veterans currently serving within CSC for their commitment and dedication to protecting Canadians.

2SLGBTQIA+ Champion

I am pleased to announce that Johanne Charest, Regional Deputy Commissioner in the Atlantic Region, has been appointed as CSC’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Champion. Marla Kavalak, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Operations, also in the Atlantic Region, is now CSC’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Deputy Champion. Johanne and Marla have both been advocates for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the workplace for many years.

We each have a role to play in increasing diversity and inclusion in our organization, and I look forward to continued progress in making the Public Service a place where everyone can be their true selves. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression has no place in Canada.

Please join me in congratulating Johanne and Marla as they take on their new roles as Champion and Deputy Champion.

Office of Correctional Investigator Annual Report

On October 29, the Office of the Correctional Investigator’s (OCI) annual report was tabled in Parliament. This report provides an opportunity for us as an organization to reflect on how we are responding to the needs of the offenders in our care and custody.

I encourage you to read the OCI’s report, our response, and my statement.

• CSC Responds to Correctional Investigator’s 2023-2024 Annual Report
• Response to the 51st Annual Report of the Correctional Investigator 2023 to 2024
• Office of the Correctional Investigator Annual Report 2023-24

Offender Redress Division Bulletin – Offender Complaint and Grievance Process

To improve and maintain CSC’s ability to fairly and quickly respond to offender complaints and grievances, we are limiting the number of pages on complaints and grievances submissions. This will improve clarity on the issue(s) that are being brought forward.

Please note that the changes will come into effect today. For more details and information:

• Commissioner's directive 081: Offender Complaints and Grievances - Canada.ca

Happy International Volunteer Managers Day

November 5 marks International Volunteer Managers Day. Please join me in celebrating the invaluable contributions of our staff and contractors who work with volunteers within CSC. This includes social program officers, community volunteer coordinators, chaplains, and regional Project Officers for Citizen Engagement and Ethnocultural Services and many more.

Their work in the recruitment and retention of CSC’s thousands of volunteers continues to have a positive impact on our efforts towards supporting rehabilitation and reintegration.

This year’s theme, “What is our future normal?” encourages us to envision a future where volunteer engagement is stronger than ever. Let us continue to find new ways to support and empower our volunteers. Thank you to everyone for the important work that you do and role that you play.

International Inuit Day

November 7 is International Inuit Day. I am proud that our organization was able to develop and make publicly available the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy. The Strategy sets the vision for Inuit Corrections and prepares CSC for important collaboration with National Inuit Organizations. This is an important step towards reconciliation and collaboration with National Inuit Organizations and governing bodies of Inuit communities to address the challenges of corrections with federally incarcerated Inuit and address the goals of the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy.

This year, CSC partnered with Inuit agencies to form the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy Working Group. This group meets regularly to discuss and address specific need areas within Inuit corrections such as Inuit staff and Elder recruitment and creative solutions to support Inuit offenders’ return to their communities in the Arctic.

As part of our Continuum of Care for all Indigenous offenders, we continue to provide Inuit responsive interventions to support Inuit offender reintegration. This includes correctional programs, carving programs, the provision of country food, and most importantly access to Elders and staff.

Diwali

Diwali, which began last week, is a Festival of Lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Diwali is observed by Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities around the world, each adding their own unique traditions to the festivities. Diwali is a time for families and their loved ones to gather in a joyous celebration of unity and reflection, offering a chance to recognize the light within us and spread positivity.

In Canada, this celebration resonates deeply, reminding us that, regardless of our diverse backgrounds or beliefs, we are united in our pursuit of kindness and strength to overcome challenges.

Latin American Heritage Month

In October, we celebrated Latin American Heritage Month. It was an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the impactful contributions that members of the Latin American community have made in Canada. Their contributions to society, from business, to innovation, academics, arts, science, and more, have made our country more resilient.
As we approach Remembrance Day, it is also an opportunity to honour the service and sacrifices of Latin American Veterans who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Their contributions are seen and appreciated every day.
You can find a more complete list of important dates recognized by the Government of Canada at Canadian Heritage. You may also visit the Prime Minister’s page to read statements on these commemorative dates.

As always, I am grateful for your amazing work. Thank you for everything you do.