COVID-19 update for correctional employees: July 22, 2022

After a decline in COVID-19 cases over the last few months, we are starting to see an increase in the number of active cases in our institutions and in communities. With more people coming into our worksites, we all have a role to play in our collective health and safety. Thanks for doing your part to stay safe and please remember to stay home if you are not feeling well.

Pope’s visit

On July 24, Pope Francis is expected to begin a six-day visit to Canada. The Pope’s visit will provide a unique opportunity for him:

• to listen and dialogue with Indigenous Peoples
• to express his heartfelt closeness, and
• to address the impact of colonization and the participation of the Catholic Church in the operation of Indian residential and day schools in Canada

Earlier this spring, Pope Francis offered apologies to a delegation of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representatives in relation to what had been done to them and to other Indigenous children at residential schools.

Pope Francis’ visit to Canada is a significant step on the road to truth, understanding, and healing. It is seen by many as an important opportunity to shape reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. I understand, though, that this visit may have an impact on employees and offenders. These discussions about the harmful legacy of residential schools are important and can also be difficult for many.

I encourage you to take a moment to think:

• about the survivors of residential schools
• about their families and the communities that were affected, and
• about those who never returned home

I would like to remind you that if you need assistance and support:

• The Hope for Wellness Help Line provides immediate, culturally competent, crisis intervention and support for all Indigenous Peoples, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by:
  • phone at 1-855-242-3310, and
  • online chat
• The National Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419. EAP referral agents are available to listen to you and help find appropriate, helpful resources that can respond to your needs.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is always available to assist you if needed. EAP referral agents are available to listen and help you find appropriate, helpful resources. Employee Assistance Services are available not only to all employees, but also to eligible family members 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Consultation on the 2022 Draft Action Plan for Women

An action plan for women employees at CSC has been drafted, through information gathered from the 2021 National Employment Equity Survey of Women Employees and through town hall meetings that were held in each region across the country earlier this year.

The action plan focuses on:

• addressing systemic barriers to:
  • recruitment and retention
  • career development, and
  • work-life balance, as well as
• identifying barriers to a safe work environment for women in CSC

If you wish to participate in the upcoming draft action plan consultation sessions (August 2 to 12), please register before August 5, at the email address below. If you are unable to attend, but would still like to participate, please send your comments in writing:

• GEN-NHQ Diversity-diversité

Your voice matters and will help improve the challenges faced by all women employees at CSC.

World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day, on July 28, raises awareness of hepatitis-related illness, which causes inflammation of the liver. Along with the public health community in Canada, CSC is continuing efforts to detect, manage, prevent and treat patients with hepatitis C Virus (HCV). I am pleased to note that our treatment and prevention efforts have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis C in our institutions from 18.2% to 3.2% over 8 years. Thanks are due to the efforts of our health services staff for this.

World Nature Conservation Day

July 28 is also World Nature Conservation Day, encouraging us to recognize that a healthy environment is necessary for a healthy society. Everyone on the planet depends on natural resources (water, air, soil, minerals, trees, animals, and food) to live. For our well-being today and for future generations, we all must do our best to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage our precious natural resources.

CSC is making efforts in conserving the environment. We are implementing the 2020-23 Sustainable Development Strategy and are making headway. Specifically, we have:

• installed LED lighting at Joyceville Institution
• completed food loss and waste analysis of three operational units, and
• published the Commissioner’s Directive on Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

We can all make a conscious effort to conserve our natural environment.

• Read the 2020-23 Sustainable Development Strategy
• Commissioner’s Directive 318: Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

I appreciate your ongoing dedication and hard work. Thank you!