Commissioner's update for correctional employees: April 28, 2025
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 wanted to start by saying our thoughts are with everyone affected by the recent tragic events that happened over the weekend at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver, including our employees in the area who may have been affected or have family and friends affected, as well as the bystanders and first responders who rushed to help. This was a devastating event, and it can be difficult to find words to bring peace or comfort when a tragedy like this occurs.
However, there are resources available to you, for anyone who may be troubled by this weekend’s events and need someone to talk to. If you wish to speak with someone, Employee Assistance Program referral agents are available to listen and help you find appropriate, helpful resources to support you.
- EAP referral agents (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
Please also note that our external Employee Assistance Program provider, TELUS Health, is also available to all employees and to eligible family members 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Employee Assistance Program (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
Additionally, TELUS Health has opened their free crisis support hotline at 1-844-751-2133 for members of the public to help through the impacts of this tragedy. I encourage you to share it with family and friends.
National Day of Mourning
Today is National Day of Mourning. We remember and pay tribute to those who have died, been injured, or suffered illness due to a workplace tragedy.
Over CSC’s history, 35 correctional employees have lost their lives while protecting our communities. To honour them, and keep the memory of our fallen colleagues alive, every year we share their stories on social media. Their sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten.
To learn about our fallen officers, visit:
Independent External Decision Makers national meeting
Last week, France Gratton, Acting Senior Deputy Commissioner, Jay Pyke, Assistant Commissioner for the Correctional Operations and Programs Sector and I were pleased to meet with the Independent External Decision Makers (IEDM). They are a group of professionals with different backgrounds, knowledge and perspectives that render decisions on inmates in the Structured Intervention Units, in real-time.
The IEDMs actively participating in the meeting, which proved to be very insightful. I want to thank them all for taking the time to meet and for the important role they play.
National Volunteer Week
This week, we celebrate National Volunteer Week with a theme of “Volunteers make waves.” This is a time for us to honor the incredible contributions of volunteers across Canada.
I am proud to highlight that CSC partners with thousands of volunteers in both institutions and in the community. Volunteers, including our Citizen Advisory Committee and Ethnocultural Advisory Committee members, bring a wealth of diversity, skills, and dedication to CSC’s important work and its mission. Our volunteers play a pivotal role in building community support networks and helping with offender rehabilitation and reintegration.
I encourage you to join me in extending our deepest thanks and appreciation to our remarkable volunteers. Their unwavering commitment and efforts truly create waves of positive change.
To show their appreciation for our volunteers, offenders expressed their gratitude through creative art and poetry. It is now available to view:
Citizen Advisory Committee Appreciation Day
On April 30, CSC is celebrating its annual Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) Appreciation Day. Please join me in thanking advisory members across the country who dedicate their time as volunteers: they are an important community presence in all of our institutions and parole offices. Their observations, advice and links to the community contribute to CSC’s mandate and its commitment to transparency.
Learn more about the CAC and its mandate:
Thank you for all for your continued efforts, including the liaison officers in NHQ and the regions who worked hard to ensure inmates could exercise their right to vote on April 16. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
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