COVID-19 update for correctional employees: June 18, 2021

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

I wanted to thank those of you involved in planning and rolling out the vaccination clinics at all of our correctional facilities. Your hard work is much appreciated and plays a huge part of helping to minimize the spread and impact of COVID-19 in our institutions. A big thank you also goes to the staff who have already received their first and second doses.

The vaccine is another important layer of protection against becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. This, along with our health and safety measures of:

• wearing a mask
• practicing physical distancing, and
• washing/sanitizing your hands often

continue to be the best ways to keep:

• yourself
• your families, and
• those around you healthy

Atlantic’s Health Centre of Excellence

Earlier today, on June 18, Dorchester Penitentiary hosted an outdoor announcement with Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, to provide an update on CSC's Health Centre of Excellence in the Atlantic region. The project is currently at the procurement stage. Once built, this new health care facility in New Brunswick will include:

• more mental health beds
• new beds for women offenders, and
• new hospital beds for the Atlantic region

This will enhance CSC's capacity to address the health needs of federal offenders More specifically, the Health Centre of Excellence will include:

• enhanced treatment and program rooms
• more nursing stations, and
• an accessible:
  • dining hall
  • gym
  • library, and
  • chaplaincy

to accommodate the health needs of older offenders and those with mobility issues. Thank you to Dorchester Penitentiary, Atlantic regional staff and the communications team who rolled out a safe outdoor news conference that followed COVID-19 protocols.

• Government of Canada moves to create a bilingual Health Centre of Excellence at Dorchester Penitentiary

Indigenous Peoples Day

On June 21, we will be observing National Indigenous Peoples Day. Let us take this opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples and the value, wealth, and beauty of Indigenous cultures across Canada.

For over 30 years, CSC has established and nurtured close partnerships and relationships with a number of Indigenous communities and organizations that are built on:

• mutual respect
• rights, and
• reconciliation

We are one of the largest employers of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and we would not be able to provide sensible and culturally responsive interventions and services to Indigenous men and women offenders without the support of our 1,700 Indigenous employees and 140 Elders.

I encourage you to recognize the vital role Indigenous employees and Elders play in the rehabilitation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous offenders and the depth and richness they add to our correctional programs. I invite you to:

• Learn more about National Indigenous Peoples Day and
• Sign up for a learning opportunity through the Canada School of Public Service

Run for Women

I wanted to share an update on our participation in the Run for Women event. We now have 23 CSC teams with a total of 291 team members! Shout out to the CSC Winnipeg team, which has 70 members. We also raised an impressive $24,540.

I encourage you to put your sneakers on and walk/run 5K or 10K between July 4 and 11. You have one more week to sign up before event registration closes on Friday, June 25. A reminder that $35 from your registration will go directly to women’s mental health programs in your community. Together, we are unstoppable and can make a difference in women’s mental health.

National Public Service Week wrap up

As National Public Service Week draws to a close, I want to take the opportunity to once again to thank all of you for your tireless efforts over this past year.

If you have not yet visited the Kudos board, or the Kindness in the workplace Hub page over the course of this past week, there is still time. Please take a moment to view the thoughtful comments and inspiring stories from some of your colleagues from across the organization. I also want to recognize all of the staff who have helped coordinate activities this week, allowing us to celebrate across the country in safe and fun ways. Your hard work is reflected in the success of each event.

To everyone who was able to join me at the closing event, thank you. I always appreciate the opportunity to connect with staff in meaningful ways. Thank you again for making me so proud to be your Commissioner. I am honoured to continue serving Canadians with pride alongside such dedicated and professional public servants!