COVID-19 update for correctional employees: September 23, 2022

We are keeping our Atlantic colleagues in our thoughts as we follow the track of Hurricane Fiona. There is great uncertainty when it comes to the impact of extreme weather and dangerous storms like this. Be sure to take all precautions to keep yourself and loved ones safe.

This past Monday, Canadians paid their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and honoured her remarkable life and service to our country. Upon the Queen’s passing, her son Charles immediately became His Majesty King Charles III.

What this means for CSC, according to Canada’s constitutional and statutory framework, is an automatic change in official titles in all documents that reference the Sovereign of the United Kingdom and Canada to reflect the new monarch. All new Government of Canada publications, such as the copyright statement, have been updated to:  

• © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of [legal name of department], [year of publication]

All future agreements should be adjusted to refer to His Majesty the King.

Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service

I would like to remind you that this Sunday, September 25, the Canadian Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service will be both:

• in-person and
• live-streamed from Parliament Hill

On Sunday, please join me in observing two minutes of silence to remember and honour our fallen colleagues and members of public safety who have lost their lives in the line of duty. CSC will be marching in the parade on Parliament Hill.

National Week for Truth and Reconciliation

Continuing the conversations from Every Child Matters is key to advancing reconciliation and to honour survivors of the residential school system and their families. Next week, leading up to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, there are a number of events organized by CSC  to encourage all of us to:

• reflect
• learn, and
• understand

more fully the impact of the residential school system on:

• First Nations
• Inuit, and
• Métis’ families and communities

You are encouraged to participate in the CSC daily virtual events that have been organized throughout the week to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and honour the children who attended residential school, both the survivors and those who never returned home. I am pleased to announce that we will kick off the week with Healing Circles with Elders Dan Ross and Raymond Gros Louis.

More information about the week’s events are posted on the Hub:

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (internal resource only)

A reminder that help is available for residential school Survivors and their family members in need of emotional support or referrals to community resources. You may call the 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.

Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators

This week, four CSC subject matter experts presented at the 40th annual Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators, which was hosted virtually from September 19 to 23 by the Singapore Prison Service. Their presentations highlighted CSC’s ability to adapt to unprecedented situations through our response to COVID-19. On September 23, Larry Motiuk, Assistant Commissioner of Policy, was one of seven international panelists on the Leaders Fireside Chat. The panel discussed best practices in correctional leadership and key factors in building good correctional organizations. Thank you to all who participated. Sharing our experiences in corrections at international conferences and learning from other countries is how we continue to improve our practices here in Canada. 

Read more: 

• Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators

Update on the Audit of Organizational Culture

If not done already, please take the time to complete the survey on organizational culture that Quorus Consultation Group is conducting on behalf of CSC’s Internal Audit and Evaluation Sector. The survey will be closing on September 30, so please do not miss the chance to share your thoughts on our organizational culture. Focus groups will start soon and will continue for the next month. If you are invited to participate, please speak with your manager and sign up for an available timeslot. I encourage all managers to work with their staff to ensure everyone who is invited and interested in participating is provided the opportunity to do so.

For more information, visit the Hub:

• Audit of Organizational Culture (internal resource only)

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation in:

• wearing a mask when close to others
• washing/sanitizing your hands frequently, and
• not coming to the workplace if you are not feeling well

These practices help prevent the spread of infections, such as the flu (influenza) and the coronavirus. Your efforts at keeping yourself and those around you healthy are much appreciated.