COVID-19 update for correctional employees: May 28, 2021

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

Correctional Service Canada (CSC) Appreciation Day is on June 1. This day is an annual celebration of CSC staff, volunteers, partners and the entire CSCfamily for the work you all do to uphold public safety and care for offenders. I have been proud to work alongside so many incredible people for nearly 40 years throughout my career at CSC. Your perseverance and dedication, especially as we have managed through the pandemic, have been inspirational. While we take time to recognize CSC Appreciation Day and express gratitude, please know that your hard work is valued every day of the year.

Vaccine news

When CSC received additional vaccine doses in April 2021, Health Services staff, Elders, parole officers, chaplains and many others conducted an intensive vaccination campaign over a period of two to three weeks. During this campaign, CSC offered vaccines to:

• inmates
• offenders in community correctional centres (CCCs), and
• CSC staff who were not yet eligible to receive a vaccine from their provincial health authority

I am happy to report that 75% of the inmate population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. CSC also has a chart on its website, updated weekly, that details the number of inmates who have been vaccinated, by site.

• Vaccines administered to inmates in the federal correctional system

CSC is hoping to achieve an even higher overall vaccination rate as staff continue to make active offers to offenders in our institutions and CCCs. CSC is starting to plan additional vaccination clinics to administer second doses of the vaccine in mid-June. This will include:

• all offenders in institutions and CCCs, and
• staff who received their first dose from CSC

Thank you to all the staff involved in this effort; I know it is hard work but it is essential to everyone’s health and safety. CSC is starting to see the number of active cases significantly decline in its institutions with only three cases remaining across the country. This is thanks to your efforts and dedication!

To all CSC employees working from home or offices, thank you for doing your part in getting vaccinated when it is your turn. Many provinces are making excellent progress as more vaccine shipments arrive in Canada. It is providing lots of hope for the months ahead.

One-year anniversary of death of George Floyd

This week marks one year since the murder of George Floyd in the United States. This senseless crime and the subsequent global protests are a stark reminder of the work that we still have to do to fight racism and create a world that truly embraces inclusion and diversity. This work must be done:

• individually, as federal public servants, and
• collectively, as Canadians

I continue to be inspired by our employees as we undertake actions to eliminate racism within CSC. These efforts include:

• engaging directly with Black, Indigenous and racialized employees and stakeholders
• providing relevant ongoing training and the development of an Anti-Racism Framework and Action Plan aimed at:
  • meaningful systemic change, and
  • fostering a greater sense of belonging for all staff

We recognize how essential these conversations are and we are looking to form a CSC team dedicated to leading CSC’s approach to anti-racism.

If you are not already part of it, you are invited to join the CSC MS Teams:

• Black Employee Network

If you do not have a MS Teams account yet, you can email your request to:

• msteams.gen-nat@csc-scc.gc.ca and copy your substantive manager

Check out what CSC employees are saying about:

• racism
• discrimination, and
• the importance of inclusivity

If you would like to submit your own quote and photo for this Hub page, you can send this information to:

• gennhqcommunications@csc-scc.gc.ca

With the strength of our staff across the country, our Diversity Champions and allies, our management team, and so many other partners, I know CSC will continue to make progress on this vital work. If you have questions or comments on the Employee-Facing Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, please contact Amy Jarrette, CSC’s Senior Designated Official Responsible for Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at:

• amy.jarrette@csc-scc.gc.ca

National Indigenous History Month

The month of June was first declared National Indigenous History Month in 2009. It provides an opportunity for Canadians to honour the heritage, contributions and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across the county. It is important that we continue to highlight the historic contributions of Indigenous peoples, while honouring their roles in the establishment of Canada. National Indigenous History Month celebrates the strength of Indigenous communities and the resilience of Indigenous peoples.

At CSC, it is important to recognize the importance of Indigenous interventions and the essential guidance from Elders and spiritual helpers, which draw their strength from the Indigenous cultures that inform them. This is vital to the successful reintegration of Indigenous offenders into the community. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this work has continued, wherever possible, through:

• video visitations and the telephone
• innovative and adaptive cultural practices, and
• one-on-one visits

These efforts have helped CSC in guiding offenders towards traditional ways of coping, especially at this critical time. The adaptability of Indigenous staff, Elders and spiritual advisors demonstrates the resilience and tenacity of Indigenous cultures. That, in itself, is something to celebrate.

I invite all staff to take the time to learn more about National Indigenous History Month through education and virtual events, such as:

• Taking Steps Towards Indigenous Reconciliation with the Canada School of Public Service
• Learn more about Indigenous History in Canada
• National Indigenous History Month

Art Solomon Memorial Award nominations

It is time to nominate employees for the Art Solomon Memorial Award! The award recognizes Indigenous employees for their contributions to their workplace and communities. This includes employees who have excelled in one or more of these categories:

• Workplace health and wellness
• Commitment to Indigenous engagement
• Celebrating Indigenous diversity
• Indigenous leadership

Please send your nomination forms to the National Employment Equity and Diversity Committee at:

• gen-nat-eedc-ceed@csc-scc.gc.ca by July 30, 2021

National AccessAbility Week

Next week, from May 30 to June 5, we will mark National AccessAbility Week. The theme this year is Disability Inclusion 2021: Leaving no one behind. I invite you to celebrate the valuable contributions of our colleagues and all Canadians with disabilities. It is also a great opportunity to recognize the efforts of individuals, communities, and workplaces that are actively working to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion. Please visit:

• the National AccessAbility Campaign for more information on the upcoming virtual activities

Canadian Environment Week

2021 marks the 50th year of Canadian Environment Week, from May 31 to June 5. This year’s theme is ecosystem restoration. You and your family/household members can see how green you are by participating in the:

• virtual Green Challenge

Register and you will receive a set of daily challenges for each day of the week. Good luck!

2021 National Survey of Women Employees

The 2021 National Survey of Women Employees is now closed, and I want to thank all of you who took the time to share your opinions and ideas on matters that are important to women. Your anonymous responses will help shape concrete actions to ensure that CSC is a safe and respectful place for women that welcomes work-life balance and addresses barriers to career advancement for women. The results of the survey will also be made available this summer and CSC will continue the discussion with virtual town halls in the fall. For more information or if you have questions, please refer to the National Working Group for Women's Hub page.

William Head on a virtual stage

For decades, William Head on Stage (WHoS), an inmate-run theatre company on Vancouver Island, ran live performances and weekly theatre workshops with volunteers at William Head Institution. Live theatre performances are currently suspended due to the pandemic, however, WHoS inmates and volunteers have been hard at work finding ways to maintain connections.

• William Head on Stage

Over the last year, they developed the Great Creative Exchange project. This consists of creative challenges where both inmates and volunteers complete:

• visual arts activities
• written exercises, and
• exchange feedback on each other’s work

The group also recorded and edited a reproduction of “Northern Lights”, which was originally broadcast on the radio in 1949.

If you would like to get more information for starting an inmate-run theater company or a similar creative project, I encourage you to speak with your inmate welfare committee. They can reach out to the management team at your institution to explore potential options.

Emerson Douyon nominations

The nomination period for the annual Emerson Douyon Multiculturalism Award is now open. This award is presented to a CSC employee or community partner who has significantly contributed to the promotion of multiculturalism and diversity within the service or the community. Employees in the organization, individuals on contract or summer employment programs, and members of the public (i.e. a volunteer) are eligible. If you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their efforts, I encourage you to nominate them for this important award.

Learn more about the award and the nomination process

Run for Women

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that this year’s Run for Women is going virtual, between July 4 and 11. I am pleased to say that we now have 17 CSC teams with 221 members! As of May 27, the teams have raised $8,980 in donations. Adding the portion of the entry fee that goes to support local women's mental health programs, CSC has raised $16,715! Thank you for your generosity. I encourage anyone wishing to participate or donate to join me in supporting this important event together, we are unstoppable.  And take note that the entry fee increases from $45 to $50 on June 1 at 11:59 pm!

• Run for Women 

International Day of UN Peacekeepers

May 29 is International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Take a moment to pay tribute to the peacekeepers who have helped create conditions for lasting peace and provided humanitarian aid to so many countries impacted by conflict.

• International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

It is also an important day to honour the memory of those who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag. Here at CSC, we are proud of the 90 CSC staff who have participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations over the past 15 years.

I appreciate the continued work being done at CSC sites and offices across the country to keep everyone safe. As vaccination coverage increases, please continue to use a layered approach to protect yourself and others:

• wear your mask
• keep two metres apart, and
• wash/disinfect your hands often

It is equally important to monitor your health and follow public health advice where you live. Together, we have come this far. Thank you for continuing to do your part.