Commissioner's update for correctional employees: March 31, 2025
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.
Our core values: Respect, fairness, professionalism, inclusiveness, and accountability.
I was happy to meet with all of the Regional Administrators for Communications and Executive Services in person last week. They came to NHQ to meet with a number of sectors in CSC to foster greater collaboration, exchange on best practices and align efforts.
I'm so pleased to hear about the important work happening within the regions, and our continued work across the department in service to Canadians.
National Ethnocultural Advisory Committee meeting
I was also pleased to meet with the National Ethnocultural Advisory Committee (NEAC) on March 27. Advisory members and senior executives took the time to discuss several initiatives currently underway that will have a positive impact on our services and interventions for ethnocultural offenders.
Seeking advice from our advisory members is an important part of getting a diverse range of perspectives to better our anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. I encourage you to learn more about the ethnocultural committees and advisory members:
CSC leadership recognized at the Association of Black Law Enforcers Awards Gala
I am proud to share that Kevin Snedden, Regional Deputy Commissioner of Ontario won the Leading Change Recognition Award at the 32nd annual Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.) Awards Gala.
This non-profit organization addresses the needs and concerns of Black and other racial minorities in law enforcement and the community. Kevin truly embodies the gala’s 2024 theme “Passion, Purpose and Persistence: Celebrating Excellence," in his everyday work.
Congratulations Kevin! We are proud of you, and we are honoured to be represented by someone with your leadership, professionalism, and dedication.
Telling our story and visit to the Pacific Region
A few members of our communications team recently visited institutions in the Pacific region to film videos to tell your stories to Canadians and promote awareness about the challenging and important work you do. Over past years, our communications team has been working their way to different regions, and also doing virtual interviews, to capture the positive stories of CSC - we have so many!
Showcasing the hard work of our staff across the country is part of our commitments following the Culture Audit and internal communications survey. In those, we heard from you that you wanted to learn about the real stories and experiences of your colleagues. In addition to contributing to a sense of pride and belonging internally, sharing what we do with Canadians increases transparency and trust in our organization.
To those in the Pacific region, thank you for welcoming our Communications staff and taking time out of your busy schedules to participate in these projects. For now, here are a few photos as sneak previews of the upcoming videos!
CSC is recognized for communications excellence for “Prisons Inside / Out"
Last Thursday, the Government of Canada’s communications awards of excellence were held to recognize and celebrate communications excellence in the federal public service.
CSC received a certificate for its podcast series "Prisons Inside / Out" in the Platinum Award category. This celebrates exemplary work that achieved positive results or outcomes for targeted audiences based on sound communications advice, planning, and implementation.
Over the past year, our communications team has produced 13 episodes of the podcast series and recently reached the important milestone of being downloaded over 14,000 times.
The podcast has been well received by staff, the public and victims of crime. It is such a great tool to raise awareness of the incredible work being done by our over 18,000 employees across the country working to change lives and keep Canadians safe.
Congratulations to the team for this great distinction and recognition! The podcast requires the work and collaboration of colleagues from across the country.
Japanese delegation visit to the Pacific Region
Last month, the Pacific Region hosted a delegation from the Embassy of Japan in Canada and the Ministry of Justice of Japan. The delegation visited Matsqui Institution, the Parole Board of Canada in Abbotsford and toured the Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village. They also visited Elliott House, one of CSC’s important community partners.
The delegation was particularly focused on our restorative justice programs and victim services. I want to thank all employees who contributed to making this visit a success.
Thank you for your efforts and collaborative work.
Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.