Message from Natasha Kim, Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, on Public Service Pride Week
August 23, 2023 – Defence Stories
For the past three years, the Government of Canada Public Service Pride Awards have been an exciting addition to Public Service Pride Week, which runs from August 21 – 25, 2023. These Awards are a way to formally recognize and honour individuals, teams, and departments that have shown leadership in promoting and strengthening 2SLGBTQI+ diversity, inclusion, and pride across the federal public service.
We are especially proud of the Defence Team members nominated in three of the five categories:
- Rachel McCarthy - Agent of Change Award;
- Major André P. Jean - Agent of Change Award;
- Taylor Rogalsky - Agent of Change Award;
- The Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Working Group - Workplace Pride Initiative of the Year Award; and
- 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization - Pride Network Award.
You have all shown great dedication to advancing the cultural evolution of our organization by addressing systemic discrimination of 2SLGBTQI+ Defence Team members and providing guidance to leadership and to your colleagues on how to make our work environment more inclusive. This helps make our team stronger and inspires others to become allies and supporters. We congratulate all of you on being nominated and wish you the best of luck at the Awards ceremony!
Let’s show our Defence Team Pride colours and cheer on our nominees. The ceremony can be viewed online on August 24 at 13:30 (EDT). Be sure to register so you don’t miss out!
We also encourage all Defence Team members who are in the National Capital Region to join the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization – National Capital Region (DTPAO NCR) during the Capital Pride Weekend festivities on Saturday, August 26 and to attend or march in the Capital Pride Parade with the Defence Team on Sunday, August 27.
And let’s keep the Pride Week spirit going all year by supporting the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (accessible only on the National Defence network). It fosters safe spaces and facilitates meaningful conversation to create a better understanding of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
When we join together to celebrate and embrace our unique selves, we help create safe and thriving workplaces for us all, while at the same time enhancing our cohesion, esprit de corps, and operational readiness.
Happy Public Service Pride Week to all!
Natasha Kim
Associate Deputy Minister
Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, CMM, CD
Vice Chief of the Defence Staff