Commissioner's update for correctional employees: July 28, 2023

I want to begin by acknowledging that my thoughts are with all of those dealing with impacts from flooding and forest fires across the country.

Last weekend, a torrential rainfall resulted in catastrophic floods that are affecting Nova Scotia. The floods have greatly affected the municipalities of:

• Halifax
• East Hants, and 
• West Hants

as well as the counties of Lunenberg and Queens. A state of emergency was declared on July 22. Thankfully, none of our institutions are directly affected by this situation. However, my heart goes out to staff and their families who live in the surrounding areas.  

It’s a good reminder to help one another and lend a helping hand however we can. In times like these, it is important to come together as a community. Even if we are not directly impacted by these situations, many of us have friends or family in an affected area.

Incoming new Minister

This week, the Prime Minister made changes to his Cabinet. The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs was appointed as our new minister. I look forward to working with Minister LeBlanc as we achieve our mandate, including the way we keep communities and institutions safe.

World Hepatitis Day

Today, July 28, is World Hepatitis Day. This day encourages us to raise public awareness of hepatitis-related diseases, which causes inflammation of the liver. It is important to break down stigma so that those who are affected can seek diagnosis and treatment. Together with Canada’s public health community, CSC continues its efforts to:

• detect 
• manage
• prevent, and 
• treat 

patients affected with hepatitis C.

I am pleased to see that our treatment and prevention efforts have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis C in our institutions, and we will continue to work to reduce its prevalence further. Across the country, a suite of harm reduction services is available in our institutions to support these efforts. And I want to thank all of our health services staff for their efforts.

Delegation visit from Romania

This week, from July 24 to 28, CSC hosted a delegation visit from the National Probation Directorate of Romania. The delegation visited the Federal Training Centre, Joliette Institution, and the Maisonneuve Parole Office in the Quebec region, before heading to Ottawa. There, they visited the Ottawa Parole Office and National Headquarters to learn about CSC programming and interventions. The delegation was also provided with information on:

• risk assessments 
• the Integrated Correctional Program Model, and 
• the Women Offender Correctional Programs

The National Probation Directorate of Romania is interested in implementing similar programming in their country with continued assistance from CSC. 

I would like to thank everyone involved in the:

• planning
• presentations, and 
• visits

for your

• professionalism
• your time, and 
• your contribution to a successful delegation visit

CSC is a world leader in corrections and appreciates learning new and better practices from our international counterparts through the exchange of information. Our success is due to the dedicated staff who strive to provide the best reintegration programs possible.

Emancipation Day

August 1 is Emancipation Day, which celebrates the Slavery Abolition Act passed on August 1, 1834. It marks a significant moment in the fight for freedom for both enslaved Black and Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

It is important to honour the bravery and sacrifices of those who paved the way for a better future. We are reminded that the fight for equality continues today. I encourage everyone to reflect on our history and educate ourselves about the importance of Emancipation Day. Embracing diversity and understanding our shared past can lead us towards a more inclusive society.

On August 1, join the Employment Equity Diversity Committee for a discussion on anti-Black racism and mental wellness with Dr. Lisa Gunderson.

• Emancipation Day Webinar (Internal resource only)

You can also learn more on why Emancipation Day is important:

• August 1 is Emancipation Day (Internal resource only)

CSC participating in Capital Pride

In the spirit of equality, CSC will also participate in the Capital Pride Street Festival and Parade, in Ottawa, on August 26 and 27. This is a great opportunity for staff to demonstrate CSC’s leadership and support for the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Plus (2SLGBTQ+) community and the Clerk’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service.

We will have a booth to support promotion and recruitment at the street festival. Staff are encouraged to drop by the booth and show their support.

CSC will also take part in the Pride Parade on Sunday, August 27, at 1:00 p.m. The staging area will be on the Laurier Bridge near City Hall. A free CSC Pride T-shirt will be provided, as well as Pride flags. T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, as quantities are limited.

Please email GEN-NHQ Capital Pride to request a shirt and indicate your preferred size.

• GEN-NHQ Capital Pride

Young women in Public Safety Visit Joyceville

I was delighted to hear that Joyceville Institution hosted a visit, on July 12, for the 2023 Young Women in Public Safety program. This program gives female high school students an opportunity to learn about, and see first-hand, various jobs in the public safety sector. There, students had a walkthrough of the institution and its facilities. They spent time across the street visiting the CORCAN agricultural programs, and toured Ontario’s assessment unit.

The program’s goal is to increase the number of women working in public safety and security. When I started my career at CSC, there were few women in corrections. I am pleased that this program provides an opportunity to highlight to young women the important work we do at CSC, and the possibilities available to them. Thank you to the staff at Joyceville Institution for facilitating the tour and sharing about the diversity of jobs at CSC to the next generation of correctional employees.