COVID-19 update for correctional employees: August 6, 2021

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

This week marks the eighth consecutive week with zero inmate cases and this is thanks to all your hard work. Having said this, it is important that we continue being vigilant. Thank you for continuing to apply our infection prevention and control measures across the country.

Getting vaccinated is an important layer of protection in helping us all build community immunity, especially if you work in an institution. If you have not yet been vaccinated and have any questions, there is a lot of useful information available online:

• Vaccines and immunization

Administrative workplaces

As vaccination rates in Canada reach important thresholds, and public health restrictions across the country begin to be lifted to varying degrees, we may see a gradual increase in occupancy of federal administrative worksites beginning this fall. This depends on the community transmission rates at that point. I want to reiterate that we are working on a measured approach that will build flexibility into the workforce and workplace.

As specified in the recent message that went out from Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO), in the near term, we expect that most employees whose work can be done effectively remotely will continue to do so. Initially, occupancy will be focused on employees whose work requires them to be on-site or employees who want to return.

In the longer term, we will continue to plan our workforce in light of the guidance from public health authorities and the OCHRO. Innovative work planning is underway, focusing on people management, infrastructure, and digital services to support those working remotely and/or on-site and set the foundation for the future of work.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Monday, August 9, is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. This important day encourages people from around the world to promote the protection and awareness of the rights of Indigenous peoples.

As the discoveries of unmarked graves at several former Indian Residential Schools continue to deeply affect the entire nation, we need to make conscious efforts to continue working on reconciliation by actively supporting Indigenous people and communities, and continuing our learning journey.

CSC recently announced renewed agreements with Indigenous governments and organizations to operate three healing lodges for federal offenders.

• Correctional Service Canada strengthens supports for Indigenous offenders

The agreements strengthen our commitment to the:

• care
• custody, and
• reintegration

of Indigenous men and women and will allow the continued provision of:

• culturally responsive programs,
• services; and
• a traditional healing environment

for Indigenous offenders.

CSC is committed to working collaboratively with our Indigenous partners and stakeholders to:

• address the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in corrections, and
• improve their correctional results while facilitating their healing journey

National Peacekeepers’ Day

Monday, August 9, is also National Peacekeepers’ Day. This is an opportunity for Canadians to recognize and honour our peacekeepers who support peace operations around the world that promote:

• democracy,
• human rights; and
• respect for rule of law

Canada is a co-chair of the Group of Friends of Corrections in Peace Operations, which supports the United Nations Department of Peace Operations on corrections issues relating to peace operations. 

I am proud of the CSC employees who have taken part in peace operations, such as in:

• Kosovo
• Haiti
• Afghanistan

These employees have made important contributions to advance peace and correctional reform in countries working from conflict to peace. We, at CSC, are grateful for your tremendous work and for the sacrifices you made. I encourage any of our veterans to reach out to the Veteran Support Secretariat if you need someone to talk to.