COVID-19 update for correctional employees: June 24, 2022

Today, June 24, communities across the country celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day or the Fête nationale du Québec. Just over 10 million Canadians speak French. Wishing all our Francophone colleagues the best as they celebrate their language, culture, and traditions today. Enjoy!

COVID-19 update

Further to the recent suspension of the vaccination mandate for federal public servants, effective June 27, 2022, visitors and volunteers will no longer be required to show a proof of vaccination to enter CSC facilities, including:

• institutions
• community correctional centres
• parole offices, or
• CORCAN community industry facilities

As communicated last week, the proof of vaccination requirement for employees and supplier personnel was lifted as of June 20, 2022. Thank you to the staff who managed this requirement. 

Our existing infection prevention and control efforts are ongoing, and we will continue to follow public health guidance as we move forward. In addition, thanks for continuing to:

• keep up-to-date with vaccines and boosters
• wearing a mask in close proximity to others, and
• washing/sanitizing your hands regularly

National Indigenous Peoples Day Town Hall

On Tuesday, I was pleased to be part of the virtual town hall celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. I was joined by:

• Elders:
  • Doreen Prosper, and 
  • Raymond Gros-Louis
• Senior Deputy Commissioner Alain Tousignant
• Champion for Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion, Kirstan Gagnon; and
• A/Director of Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion, Edwidge Vincent

I am thankful for what they all shared. We also heard from Deputy Minister Daniel Quan-Watson, from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, who spoke about the importance of a deeper understanding of what Indigenous peoples have experienced. His comments were very thought provoking. 

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this important discussion. Events like this are important to help us move forward, in the spirit of reconciliation. 

Canadian Multiculturalism Day

Canadians are of various:

• races
• ethnicities, and
• religions

We speak many languages and have numerous customs and cultures. Canadian Multiculturalism Day, on June 27, is an opportunity to celebrate Canada's diversity, and reaffirm our commitment to:

• inclusion
• equality, and
• mutual respect

Embracing multiculturalism is ensuring that all citizens keep their identities, take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feel welcome. We all have a role to play in making our work environment welcoming and respectful, this starts with:

• building personal connections
• appreciating our differences, and
• learning from each other  

I encourage you to:

• ask questions
• to listen, and
• to share your story 

National PTSD Awareness Day

National PTSD Awareness Day is June 27. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a diagnosable mental health disorder affecting people who may have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. We know that the work we do at CSC can expose us to some of these events. Traumatic experiences affect each of us differently. It is important that we understand the reality of living with symptoms of PTSD. If you or someone closed to you needs support regarding PTSD, or any other need, the Employee Assistance Program referral agents remain available to you at all times. Contact them for more information on services available to employees and in the community.

Updated 2SLGBTQI+ resource kit 

The 2SLGBTQI+ resource kit was recently updated and is available on the Hub. This kit provides staff with tools and resource materials to better support the needs of 2SLGBTQI+ offenders. 

This is also an excellent resource for offenders and they can access a printable version of the entire information package on request. In this toolkit, you will find frequently asked questions about coming out and how to better support the 2SLGBTQI+ community. In addition, you will find: 

• a collection of 2SLGBTQI+ terminology;
• a list of important commemorative 2SLGBTQI+ dates; and
• provincial resources to help with a name or gender change on personal identification.

Additional regional/local 2SLGBTQI+ resources may also be available depending on the region/area of your site. 

Recognizing Carole Eldridge’s work within CSC’s Restorative Opportunities Program

CSC is proud to offer victim-offender mediation services through its Restorative Opportunities (RO) program. Carole Eldridge, mediator for RO over the past 14 years, has been well known for her unique conflict resolution and mediation skills. She often brought her bearded collie therapy dog, Haiku, to meetings with victims and offenders, which helped foster a more relaxed environment and facilitated communication with and between participants. I invite you to read more about Carole and the important work she did with CSC.

• Recognizing Carole Eldridge and her Unique Approach to Restorative Justice

CSC Appreciation Month

In closing, I want to take a moment to thank employees who took the time to make their colleagues feel appreciated and valued this month. You are cultivating an environment that employees feel proud to be part of. There is still time to post a grateful note to your colleagues on the virtual online appreciation board or on the appreciation boards at your worksite before the end of the month. I hope that you find creative and unique ways to continue to show appreciation to one another throughout the year!