COVID-19 update for correctional employees: November 10, 2022

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

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. I encourage you to take time to think about and pay tribute to all those who served, and continue to serve our country during times of:

• war
• conflict, and
• peace

Because of their courage and commitment, all Canadians enjoy the freedoms of our strong democracy. We remember and honour these brave Canadians who stood, and continue to stand, for our nation and make sacrifices to protect us all. 

We have a number of CSC employees who are Veterans of Afghanistan and peace support operations in the:

• Balkans
• Gulf War
• Haiti
• Rwanda, and
• Somalia

We are very proud to work alongside them and are grateful for the service they provided to our country and the countries they served in. Remember our CSC Veterans when you take two minutes of silence tomorrow. 

The red poppy you pin on the left of your clothing, close to the heart, is a sacred symbol of Remembrance. It symbolizes incredible sacrifice and demonstrates an appreciation of our Veterans. Many institutions across the country have a tradition of supporting the Legion’s annual poppy campaign. At William Head Institution (WHI), in British Columbia, the Inmate Wellness Committee members obtain a box of poppies from the local Legion so the offenders can make a donation. Around $300 is raised and given to the Legion every year. A big thank you to WHI, and all the participating institutions, for your generosity in supporting Veterans through the Legion. Thank you all for wearing a poppy in honour of all the Veterans past and present. 

Remembrance Day may be an emotional time for many. The Veterans Support Secretariat is available if you would like to speak with someone or learn more about its services. 

You can contact the Veterans Support Secretariat at:

• VNAC.GEN-NAT@CSC-SCC.GC.CA, or
• John.Croucher@CSC-SCC.GC.CA

Health reminder

As I mentioned last week, there is an increase in cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in our communities, including in our institutions. The current screening questionnaire that is used daily in our institutions asks about symptoms caused by many different infections, including COVID-19 and the flu. This screening step applies to all:

• staff
• visitors, and
• contractors

Thank you for your help in keeping up with the infection prevention and control measures at our sites and offices. I encourage you to continue to:

• wash/sanitize your hands often
• wear a mask when near others, and
• keep up to date with both your COVID-19 and flu vaccinations

Your ongoing cooperation is appreciated.

Command ceremony

This week, I was in Saskatoon to attend the change of command ceremony for the Regional Deputy Commissioner (RDC). It was wonderful to officially welcome Jason Hope as the Regional Deputy Commissioner (RDC) for the Prairie region, and to thank France Gratton for her leadership as RDC for three years. Change of Command ceremonies are important symbolic events that mark the transfer of:

• responsibility for the safety and security of staff
• offenders, and
• the community from one person to another

Thank you to all the staff in the Prairie Region who worked so hard to make this special ceremony happen. I appreciate the time and effort that goes into planning such events.

Restorative Opportunities Program highlighted in documentary

This Saturday evening, November 12, CSC’s Restorative Opportunities Program will be highlighted in a new documentary airing on Radio Canada’s program Doc Humanité. The French-only documentary features the CSC Restorative Justice Program’s mediators and program participants, including both victims and offenders. The documentary explores how restorative justice helps deal with harm that crime causes to victims and their families. It allows us to better understand how restorative justice values and principles can be applied to address serious crime.

To learn more, visit:

• Quand punir ne suffit pas (French only)

Nurse Practitioner Week

During this year's Nurse Practitioner week (November 13–19), I would like to recognize and acknowledge the critical role of nurse practitioners in our health care system. Nurse practitioners consistently demonstrate their commitment to excellence in health care and play a key role in fostering the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Thank you to all of our nurse practitioner colleagues for their hard work and dedication.

International Day for Tolerance

November 16 is the International Day for Tolerance, a day that celebrates open-mindedness and encourages:

• mutual respect
• understanding, and
• appreciation 

for the rich cultures and forms of expression in our society and workplaces.

Canadian communities, and CSC staf, are made up of people of diverse cultures from around the world. Each of us offers a unique and valuable perspective. Tolerance is about:

• accepting
• acknowledging, and
• respecting each person’s perspective and individuality.

This is essential in creating an inclusive culture at CSC where we genuinely value the contribution each one of us makes.  

Thank you for your hard work and dedication. What you do matters. The role each and everyone plays at CSC is critical to the safety of Canadian communities and is very much appreciated.