Public Service Pride Network Winter Update

February 7, 2022 - Defence Stories

A Message from the Champion of Public Service Pride Jason Bett

Hello,

We are pleased to provide you with an update on all the exciting Public Service Pride initiatives that are underway for 2022.

Friends,

Belated happy new year everybody! Hope you are doing well and enjoying the winter!

With your help, the Public Service Pride Network (PSPN) had its biggest and best year in 2021. We experienced exponential growth in the number of PSPN-supported events and initiatives, and in overall participation in the Network across Canada, and abroad. You can read all about it in our 2021 Annual Report.

Building on last year’s success, the PSPN has lots in store for 2022!

Here’s a taste of what’s to come. More information will be provided at a later date.

• Join the New LGBTQ2+ Executive Network for executives (January)
• Volunteer on one of the five Action Committees (January)
• Nominate a colleague or a team for a 2022 Award – (February)
• Start planning for Public Service Pride Week – August 22 to 26, 2022 • Participate in Safe Space Discussion – (Bi-monthly)

And that’s just the start. There will be plenty more!

1. Micro-assignment

The call out for micro assignment opportunities generated lots of interest within the PSPN. Hats off to everyone who put their name forward. We’d like to welcome three individuals to the PSP Secretariat until the end of June 2022:

• Cassandra Andruchow (Employment Social Development Canada)
• Emmanuelle Legault (Innovation, Science and Economic Development)
• Davy Sabourin (Treasury Board Secretariat)

2. Mentorship

The Professional Development Action Committee of the PSPN is offering its first mentorship opportunities in February to help our members excel in the workplace while being their authentic self. These will be small group sessions led by an LGBTQ2+ executive mentor with a maximum of 10 participants each. Each mentor will engage with the group in a discussion on how to be your authentic self in the public service and share examples of their own lived experience. 

The response so far has been overwhelming! Spots filled as quickly as selling tickets to a Celine Dion show! If you haven’t been able to sign up to one of the 90 spots offered this round, we expect to offer additional sessions in the future. 

3. Public Service Pride (PSP) Welcomes New LGBTQ2+ Executive Network!!

It’s an exciting time for Public Service Pride as we create a new space for LGBTQ2+ executives. The new PSP Executive Network’s objectives is to encourage dialogue and support amongst peers, increase the visibility of LGBTQ2+ executives and provide role models for employees. It would also provide learning opportunities as well as a forum for discussion with regard to issues affecting LGBTQ2+ communities within the federal public service.

We plan to have our launch meeting of the Executive Network in March 2022.  If you are an executive and interested in participating, please send us an email by March 1^st 2022.

4. Public Service Pride Action Committees

Launched in March of 2021, our five Public Service Pride Action Committees continue to be active. If you’d like to get involved or have ideas to share with any of our action committees, please contact us by February 10^th 2022.

We are currently looking to fill ten vacancies.

5. Public Service Pride Awards 2022

Stay tuned! The call for nominations for the 2022 Public Service Pride Awards will be launched in February.

6. Public Service Pride Week 2022 (PSPW)

PSPW will take place virtually from August 22 to 26, 2022!

If your department or agency is planning to organize an event, a panel discussion or an activity for this year’s PSPW, we ask that you submit the names of two representatives per department or agency to the PSP Secretariat by February 25^th. We will have our first planning meeting in March.

7. Promoting your events

Share with us your team activities, departmental or agency wide events, and/or opportunities for collaboration.

In turn, we can share your event, post the information on our website or help you seek partnership opportunities. We would appreciate if you could complete this form and return it to us for immediate action. This information will be used to populate the 2022 Annual Report.

To learn more about the PSPN, visit our website, access our GCconnex page, or sign up here to help advance diversity and inclusion in the public service.

We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure a safe, welcoming, respectful and healthy workplace for everyone.

Let’s make a bigger difference in 2022!

Jason Bett
Champion - Public Service Pride