COVID-19 update for correctional employees: March 3, 2023

It’s Employee Appreciation Day! I am grateful for all of the work our staff undertake each and every day in support of our mandate. I am proud of all of our accomplishments and appreciate your hard work and dedication.

It has been a busy week. I met with wardens of all women’s institutions, the healing lodge for women, as well as two district directors on February 28. We had a good discussion about my mandate letter commitments, and I highlighted their important leadership role at CSC. I also met with our Departmental Audit Committee on February 28 and March 1. We are fortunate to have:

• highly competent
• experienced, and
• knowledgeable

members on this committee. We discussed a variety of files, including the Audit of Culture. They provided useful advice and strategic considerations and we continue to roll out this important initiave. We have now completed the focus groups and the vast majority of the planned interviews. Thank you to everyone who participated!

March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month and National Social Work Month. Pharmacy staff, including:

• pharmacists
• technicians
• assistants, as well as 
• social workers 

are important members of our health services teams. Thank you for the work you do in institutions and the community every day. Your contributions have a significant impact on the individuals in our care.

Women in Defence and Security

Yesterday, a delegation of CSC representatives participated in the annual breakfast of the Women in Defence and Security, a not-for-profit organization that promotes and supports the advancement of women in careers in Canadian defence and security. At the event, four CSC employees were nominated for the Emerging Leader Award.

Congratulations to:

• Jennifer Morse, Executive Director, SIU Corporate Team, NHQ
• Mylène Gaudet, A/Program Manager, Dorchester Penitentiary, Atlantic Region
• Jennifer Nelson, Assistant Warden, Interventions, Joyceville Institution, Ontario Region; and
• Kerri Emms, A/Deputy Warden, Stony Mountain Institution, Prairie Region

National Ethnocultural Advisory Committee

On Friday, February 24, I met with members of our National Ethnocultural Advisory Committee (NEAC). The Regional Deputy Commissioners were in attendance, as well as:

• the Communications and Engagement Sector
• the Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Directorate
• Research Branch, and
• the Correctional Programs and Operations Sector

We acknowledged the loss of long time NEAC member, Theresa Halfkenny, who passed away unexpectedly in January. She will be greatly missed. A plaque to honour her legacy will be shared with her family and placed at a CSC site. We had a rich roundtable and learned of many regional initiatives underway. I am grateful for the NEAC’s commitment to meeting with individuals in our care and custody.

I encourage all staff to ensure they are aware of the important contributions of our regional and national Ethnocultural Advisory Committees, made up of members of the community who come from different ethnocultural backgrounds or have experience working in multiculturalism. They volunteer their time to provide advice on services and interventions for Black and other ethnocultural individuals in our care and custody. If you would like to meet with them or include them in your work at the site level, please contact your regional project officer for Ethnocultural Services and Citizen Engagement.

Read more about their valuable contributions:

• Celebrating 20 years of collaboration with many of Canada’s diverse communities 

International Women’s Day

March 8 is International Women’s Day. It celebrates the achievements of women and girls worldwide. This year’s theme is "Every Woman Counts". It is a reminder that women from all ages and walks of life have a place in every part of Canadian society. Together, let us keep moving gender equality forward to make our workplaces and communities stronger and more inclusive.

Over half of our staff members identify as women. I am proud of your great work and to see many of you take on leadership roles. You are demonstrating that women’s success is everyone’s success. I have said before that having a diverse workforce is a priority, and this is positive progress.

Celebrate International Women’s Day by taking part in these Employment Equity and Diversity Committee (EEDC) events: (internal resource only)

• March 7, 2023 – Prairie Region EEDC Workshop with Dr. Jody Carrington, “Reignite: Building Resilience in the Age of Burnout”
  • 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (ET)
• March 8, 2023 – Quebec Region EEDC Virtual presentation with Nicole Jutreau, “From First Female Police Officer to Undercover Agent”
  • 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. (ET)

For more information about International Women’s Day, including the digital toolkit and MS Teams background, please visit:

• Women and Gender Equality Canada

CSC’s new accessible van

The Atlantic Region recently purchased an accessible van to support our work in community supervision. Acquiring the vehicle for the Charlottetown Parole Office was a collaboration between:

• the Atlantic District Office
• Atlantic Regional Headquarters, and
• National Headquarters

I am proud of the staff who took steps to create a more supportive and inclusive workplace. This opens doors for future accessibility accommodations. It also assists in the recruitment and retention of employees with disabilities.

Thank you to everyone involved for your determination and leadership in overcoming the barriers. You have set a meaningful precedent. I am proud that this is the first accessible vehicle procured by CSC for community supervision and government use. Read more about the new accessible van in Let’s Talk Express:

• CSC steering in the right direction with accessible van

Equality Matters newsletter

I am pleased to share that the first issue of Women and Gender Equality Canada’s (WAGE). The Equality Matters newsletter shares important information on WAGE’s:

• programs and funding opportunities
• helpful resources, and
• stories of inspiring people making a difference across Canada

This first issue highlights International Women’s Day resources, progress on the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, and how the future of business is women-led.

• Equality Matters newsletter

It is always good to learn about new initiatives and innovative work happening in communities across the country. Thank you for your ongoing work and commitment to helping offenders rehabilitate and succesfully reintegrate. No matter what role you play, you are integral to us meeting our mandate.