Commissioner's update for correctional employees: March 24, 2023

On March 6, I announced the launch of Treasury Board Secretariat’s MyWorkArrangements (MWA) application as part of implementing CSC’s hybrid work model. This is a reminder that as of today all employees should have an approved agreement in the MWA app.

This deadline may be extended for employees who are on leave or waiting for a response about a duty to accommodate request. Employees have 14 days to complete an agreement in the MWA app after returning from leave. Unless approved by their manager, employees awaiting a decision from the Exceptions Steering Committee are expected to work a minimum of three days onsite and complete their work agreement until a decision is made.

I encourage managers and employees to review these arrangements regularly, at least every six months, and make adjustments as needed. 

Questions regarding the MWA application can be sent to:

• GEN-My Work Arrangements / Mes régimes de travail

For additional information, please consult:

• Frequently asked questions: Hybrid work model (Internal resource only)

Audit of Organizational Culture

I wanted to update you on the Audit of Organizational Culture conducted by the Internal Audit and Evaluation Sector. The focus groups were completed on February 3, and the individual interviews will be completed March 31. My sincere appreciation to all staff who participated in these activities. Your views and input are crucial to the success of the audit. Looking forward, the audit team is planning to finish its fieldwork in the spring. It will then present a draft audit report and management action plan to the Departmental Audit Committee this fall. 

Read more about the:

• Audit of Organizational Culture (Internal resource only)

Expression of Interest for Black, Ethnocultural and Racialized Community Groups, Experts or Organizations

On Tuesday, we launched an Expression of Interest to hear from Black, ethnocultural and racialized:

• community groups
• experts, or
• organizations

This will help to address overrepresentation by assisting with safe and successful reintegration. The first step in this process is building a comprehensive national inventory of organizations who, based on their specific strengths, could work with CSC. We are asking interested parties to apply before May 15.

I encourage you to share the information with Black, racialized, and ethnocultural:

• community groups
• experts, or
• organizations

in your networks.

For more information, please visit: 

• Ethnocultural and social development services

Indigenous Programs Building at La Macaza

The new Indigenous Programs Building at La Macaza Institution, in Quebec, is shaped like an eagle in flight. In an earlier message, I mentioned that the building received an award for the collaboration between CSC’s:

• Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff
• Elders, and
• stakeholders

in its design and construction. You can read more about the impressive building created by an award-winning partnership in Let’s Talk Express. 

• Indigenous Programs Building project at La Macaza Institution receives award for Engagement and Partnerships with Indigenous Peoples

FedStarter7 Grande Finale   

At the end of February, the FedStarter7 Grande Finale was held virtually. Four of the nine presentations were CSC projects from the Prairie Region. The annual Fedstarter program, run by the Prairie, BC, and Northern Federal Councils, is an opportunity for federal government employees to apply for funding between $1,500 and $5,000 to help start a project or initiative in their department or organization.

The FedStarter7 Grande Finale showcased the four projects funded and launched during the past year. They reported on successes and lessons learned. 

Congratulations to:

• Karen Jonasson and Leanne McLean’s teams at Stony Mountain Institution
• Jennifer Mah’s team at the Regional Psychiatric Centre; and
• Melinda Tyler’s team at Saskatchewan Penitentiary 

It is exciting to learn about innovative projects staff develop to help incarcerated individuals on their path to rehabilitation. Your commitment to helping people turn their lives around is inspired and appreciated.