COVID-19 update for correctional employees: November 27, 2020
This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.
I want to thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to implementing extensive health and safety measures in all of Correctional Service Canada's (CSC's) workplaces. It is extremely important that we each continue to lead by example and do our very best to prevent any spread of the virus.
Here you will find the latest updates, including important and significant dates that raise awareness of issues relevant to our organization.
COVID-19 update
CSC continues to work hard to prevent and manage the risks of COVID-19. CSC currently has some active cases of COVID-19 among inmates at four institutions:
- Edmonton Institution and Edmonton Institution for Women in Alberta
- Stony Mountain Institution (medium) in Manitoba, and
- Drummond Institution in Quebec
CSC is monitoring these closely and our employees continue to make ongoing efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible, thank you! Throughout the pandemic, CSC puts a lot of information online to be transparent, including posting the latest inmate testing data online:
I would also like to reach out to CSC employees who are at home recovering from contracting the virus. We are thinking of you and wish you a full and speedy recovery.
Based on community transmission rates, CSC has heightened its measures in many institutions. You can find the risk level of your institution on the Hub.
Please continue to diligently follow the public health measures in place. It is essential that we are each mindful of the role we play in preventing and mitigating spread of the virus in our workplaces:
- continue to wash your hands or sanitize often
- keep a distance of 2 metres from others as much as possible, and
- wear your mask
Please read this helpful advice on non-medical masks.
These are unusual times and I would like to remind you of the wide range of services and supports available, including:
- the 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
- the flexibilities introduced under the:
- the mental health resource hub
You will find regularly updated information on:
World AIDS Day
December 1 is World AIDS Day and the start of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week, which runs until December 5. This is an important reminder that it is essential to continue efforts to identify and treat people with HIV. With treatment, HIV is a manageable, chronic illness.
CSC is proudly keeping pace with the United Nations' goal of 90-90-90 by 2020, ensuring:
- 90% of people with HIV are diagnosed
- 90% with HIV receive treatment, and
- 90% achieve viral suppression
By the end of the 2019 to 2020 fiscal year, it is estimated that:
- 0.95% of the offender population was HIV positive, and
- 88% knew their HIV status
Of these, 98% received treatment and 93 % achieved viral suppression.
Activism against gender-based violence
The annual international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence:
- starts on November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women , and
- ends on Human Rights Day, December 10
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence are a call for the prevention and elimination of violence against:
- women and girls
- LGBTQ2, and
- gender diverse individuals
In Canada, the campaign also includes:
- the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6, which is the anniversary of the 1989 tragedy where we lost 14 women at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal to a senseless act of violence
As we mark the 16 days, let us be inspired by the incredible work and commitment of survivors, activists, service providers and allies, whose dedication to ending gender-based violence in Canada and around the world is making a meaningful impact. Reflecting on situations of violence can also be a trigger. Please remember that the Employee Assistance Program is a only phone call away if you or your family members need to talk.
Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2020
This week is Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. I would like to highlight the incredible work of CSC's victim services units that deliver compassionate, informed, and prompt services to victims. Many other staff across the organization contribute to upholding victims' rights of:
- information
- participation, and
- protection
Thank you for your work! I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the responsibility that we all have to consider victims in all of our:
- interactions
- recommendations, and
- decision-making
On November 25, the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime released her five-year progress report on the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. We have spent the last five years developing a very strong and effective victim services program, and are constantly evaluating our services to guide our efforts and provide the best possible services to victims of crime.
GCWCC
The Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) opened its auction on Monday with many items to bid on:
Take a few minutes to have a look at the items up for bid. To see and bid on the beautiful, one-of-a-kind auction pieces, please text "GCWCC" to 1-819-201-1913 and follow the instructions in the response. You can also:
Whichever way you choose to give, your generosity benefits those in need in our community. There are only three weeks left and we need your help to meet our goal!
Children's Aid Society Holiday Angel Gift Program
I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated to the Children's Aid Society (CAS) Holiday Gift Program in the National Capital Region. CSC raised over $8,500 in gift cards, which were presented to CAS on November 25. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Samar Sarkesh who works in Health Services. Samar coordinated this initiative and always goes above and beyond to bring it all together. The contributions will surely bring joy to the lives of many children and a provide a bit of comfort to families in need during this difficult time.
Once again, thank you for your continued hard work and dedication.
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