On October 26, 2021 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his new cabinet. PIPSC welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Mona Fortier as the new President of the Treasury Board.

As the Member of Parliament who represents the riding of Ottawa-Vanier, Minister Fortier has a good understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by professional public service employees, many of whom are her constituents. When the Phoenix fiasco first made headlines, she reached out to us to see how she could help with the situation. We welcomed her engagement at the time, and we will continue to brief her on public service issues from the perspective of our members.

Once the next PIPSC president has been elected, we will be asking for a meeting to discuss our union’s current priorities: flexible work arrangements for our members, safe workplaces, and bargaining (which may potentially start as early as February 2022).

We look forward to a productive and consultative relationship with Minister Fortier.

As workplaces and jobs change, our new application will mean professionals can access trailblazing research, gain valuable insights on how societal changes will impact their jobs, and access professional development opportunities that can help them advance their careers.

An opinion by Debi Daviau

Two years ago, who could have imagined that the tens of thousands of public servants who normally work at locations such as Place du Portage would now be working from their living rooms, bedrooms, and dining room tables? Anticipating changes to labour markets and equipping workers with the new skills needed to adapt to dynamically shifting workplaces is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, writes Debi Daviau. The Hill Times

There are many lessons to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, but surely the greatest lesson is the need to be better prepared. The next crisis is coming and whether it's a cyber security breach, a health crisis, or climate related, our public service must be ready.

To handle these future crises and be prepared to deal with pervasive societal changes, Canada needs a well-trained and resilient public service. Canada's public service has been recognized as one of most effective worldwide, but we need to continue to up-skill public servants so that we can be ready the next time a crisis hits. The reality is that most employers, including the Government of Canada, have not yet begun to seriously address the challenges of rapidly changing workplaces and evolving technologies, like automation and AI. The public service needs to prepare now and gain a better understanding of what skills are needed for the jobs of the future and what kind of training do public servants require.

Change is now the norm for our workplaces and Canada's public service is no exception. Two ago, who could have imagined that the tens of thousands of public servants who normally work at Tunney's Pasture, Place du Portage, and Brooke Claxton would now be working from their living rooms, bedrooms, and dining room tables? Anticipating changes to labour markets and equipping workers with the new skills needed to adapt to dynamically shifting workplaces is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

To rise to these challenges, employers, workers, governments, and unions must all work together on innovative, new, long-term solutions.

For our part, the Professional Institute for the Public Service (PIPSC) is seeking to use the latest cutting-edge technologies to help Canada's professional public service prepare to succeed in the face of the swirling forces of technological, social, environmental, and economic change. We want to help our members access the career advice and skills they need to thrive professionally and provide exceptional service to Canadians.

With a new investment of $2.6-million from the Future Skills Centre (FSC), PIPSC is now developing a novel tool to help train and educate professional public servants. As workplaces and jobs change, our new application will mean professionals can access trailblazing research, gain valuable insights on how societal changes will impact their jobs, and access professional development opportunities that can help them advance their careers.

We have heard time and again from our members that they want to improve their skills and be prepared for technological change-like growing automation and AI. Our research showed an overwhelming majority-70 per cent of our members-expressed a strong desire for better educational and professional development opportunities. Professional public servants are looking for help to start developing the skills today that will make them successful in tomorrow's workplace.

PIPSC is looking to engage the government in a spirit of collaboration around future workplace planning and addressing the pressing challenge of reskilling and upskilling the public service. The work we are doing will help make sure Canada's professional public service is ready to flourish and meet the next crisis, head on.

Remember, when our public service succeeds, that means the Government of Canada is succeeding in providing everyday Canadians with the services they rely on. Today, tomorrow, and into the future. That is something we should all get behind.

Debi Daviau is president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

Originally posted on The Hill Times on October 13, 2021.

The Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) is conducting a survey on its communications. We encourage members to share their experiences to help the PSHCP improve its website, newsletters and social media presence.

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The Public Service Health Care Plan is an employer-paid healthcare plan that covers most PIPSC members in the core public administration and at separate employers.

As you’ve probably heard by now, the Treasury Board Secretariat has released the final version of its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all federal public servants, including the RCMP.

We encourage you to review the full details of the policy so that you understand how it affects you.

The Prime Minister announced that Crown corporations, agencies, and other employers in the federal public service will be expected to implement mirror policies, but the Treasury Board has clarified that this policy will not immediately apply to them.

As the union representing the scientists who approved the COVID-19 vaccines, PIPSC welcomes all efforts to increase vaccination coverage in Canada. That includes a vaccine policy that makes vaccines more accessible to our members and accommodates legitimate reasons for which an employee may not be vaccinated.

While an employer can’t force employees to get vaccinated, it can encourage vaccination and even make it a condition of work in certain jobs.

The consultation process with the Treasury Board was rushed and unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, we must work with the policy in its current form.

The consequences for non-compliance are very serious. Our primary concern is ensuring that all PIPSC members are in compliance, either by becoming vaccinated or by receiving accommodation in accordance with the policy.

The policy allows for accommodations in a few specific cases:

• a certified medical contraindication
• religion
• another prohibited ground for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act

Here’s what you need to do to comply with the policy:

1. If you are not already vaccinated, make an appointment as soon as possible
2. Submit your attestation of vaccination as instructed by your department or agency
3. If you need accommodation, use the tools provided by your department or agency to request one

If your request for accommodation is unreasonably denied, our employment relations experts will then be able to review your individual case and offer recommendations. Please use this special vaccination help form to request help only after your accommodation request has been denied.

Some of you have expressed privacy concerns about providing your attestation of vaccination or other personal medical information to your employer. We will be diligently monitoring this issue to ensure your personal information is protected.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to ensure all PIPSC members are treated fairly and respectfully.

Over the past 19 months, Canadians have seen how public service professionals are vital in times of national emergency. To handle future crises and deal with rapidly changing workplaces, Canada needs a well-trained public service.

To address these needs, PIPSC is pleased to announce a partnership with the Future Skills Centre (FSC). FSC will contribute $2.5 million over 3 years towards an innovative initiative to help public service professionals gain the skills they will need to thrive in their careers.

READ THE RELEASE

“Anticipating changes to labour markets and equipping workers with the skills needed to adapt to rapidly changing workplaces is one of the challenges of our time,” said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “We are excited to be working with the Future Skills Centre to help members of the professional public service prepare for the future and continue providing Canadians with the vital public services they rely on.”

As a result of the Board’s decision to make full vaccination against COVID-19 a mandatory requirement for attending in-person union meetings, events, or activities, PIPSC has developed a system to automate the proof of vaccination process.

Please note that this is a one-time registration process. Once you have submitted your proof of vaccination and it has been approved, you are eligible to attend all PIPSC in-person meetings or events. 

The system is set up using our “Expense Claim” system in Concur. If you have ever submitted an expense claim, you’re already familiar with the process. However, even if you have never used it before, we’ve made it easy for you by outlining the 6 steps below.

How to upload proof of vaccination

Step 1. Sign into your Concur account and select “Create a new Expense Claim”. To sign in to Concur, click here.  [If you have never used or signed in to Concur, here’s a start-up guide to help you set up an account].

Step 2. Select “Proof of Vaccination” when asked for the “Meeting Type” and “Meeting Field”. Enter “N/A” in the “TAN/Meeting ID” field

Step 3. Click “Add a New Expense” and select “Vaccination Passport” under Section 07. Other

Step 4. For the “Transaction Date”, enter the date that you received your second valid dose. For the “Amount”, enter $0.00 

Step 5. Click on “Attach Receipt” and attach your Proof of Vaccination. This should be the dose administration receipt for your second vaccination dose.

Step 6. Click “Submit Report”

PIPSC staff will review your record. If there is an issue with your vaccination record, someone will be in touch with you to follow up. If you don’t hear back, it means your proof of vaccination has been approved.

It is with a profound sense of sadness that the Institute informs you of the passing of Harry Walker. Harry died on September 15, 2021, surrounded by family, after a lengthy illness.

Harry served on the AFS national executive from its inception in 2001 until 2016 as the AFS CS National Consultation Representative.

His commitment to members was deep and unwavering. Harry was recognized for his outstanding work for the CS community.

At the 2016 PIPSC Annual General Meeting, the Institute presented Harry with the Institute Service Award.

We will remember him with respect for his commitment and professionalism to members.  

Harry was also a Harley Davidson enthusiast and regularly attended, along with his beloved spouse Terry, the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota.  A final ride for Harry will be held in Kelowna, British Columbia, at a later date.

The Institute extends its condolences to Harry’s family and friends.

OTTAWA, October 5, 2021 — Auditors, forensic accountants, and other tax professionals at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have had enough of wealthy individuals and corporations avoiding taxes. They want the time and resources needed to collect offshore taxes, according to the union representing them.

“The release of the Pandora Papers provides another disturbing window into the complex global commercial landscape that allows many wealthy individuals and corporations to look for a haven where the tax rules don’t apply,” said Debi Daviau, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). “We need more investment in the CRA, along with enhanced transparency, international cooperation and political will to ensure everyone pays their fair share.”

The Liberals committed in their platform to invest up to $1 billion per year in the CRA to combat this type of tax avoidance, and to work with international partners to implement a global tax minimum so that corporations can’t escape the taxes they owe.

“We urge the government to fast-track its tax fairness agenda,” said President Daviau. “Canadians are fed up with the shell game, and tax professionals at the CRA are firmly among them.”

According to an Abacus Data poll commissioned by the Broadbent Institute and PIPSC, 92% of Canadians support closing tax loopholes used primarily by the wealthy and making it harder for corporations to strategically book profits in tax havens.

“Tax laws need to be revised and tax professionals at the CRA need the resources to enforce them equitably. The new Liberal government promised to take this issue seriously, and the new Minister of Revenue should get clear marching orders in their forthcoming mandate letter,” concluded Daviau.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents approximately 60,000 public service professionals across Canada, including nearly 12,000 auditors, forensic accountants, and other tax professionals at the CRA.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

In 2021, we awarded 36 scholarships worth a total of $56,000.  To date, we’ve awarded $1,050,000 in scholarships to 542 students.

Thank you to our members and corporate sponsors. Congratulations to all our laureates.

Founders’ scholarships

$1,000 Gerry Hunder Memorial Scholarship

• Aarushi Saha, Ottawa, ON (Krishna Saha, CS)

$1,500 scholarship sponsored by the Computer Systems Group

• Razi Syed, Ottawa, ON (Raheem Syed, CS)

$1,500 scholarship

• Renee Slen, Calgary, AB (Pansy Slen, AFS)

$1,000 scholarships

• Peter Lee, Vancouver, BC (Winnie Chan, AFS)
• Mennah Nasr, Ottawa, ON (Ghada Badr, CS)

Sponsors’ series scholarships

$5,000 scholarship

• Emma White, Corner Brook, NL (Paul White, CS)

$1,500 scholarships

• Ore Adeylinka, Calgary, AB (Wuraola Adeyinka, AFS)
• Evelyn Blaney, Sackville, NB (Becky Whittam, SP)
• Parameshwar Chockalingam, Ottawa, ON (Chock Shanmugam, CS)
• Laura Caraccio, Ottawa, ON (Denise Janes, CS)
• Nikita Chopra, Ajax, ON (Jyoti Chopra, AFS)
• Katrina Dufour Doherty, Candiac, QC (James Philip Doherty, NR)
• Maryam Felfel, Ottawa, ON (Asmaa Shehata, CS)
• Adam Gulamhusein, Calgary, AB (Aminmohamed Gulamhusein, AFS)
• Lauren Langdon-Burton, Beaver Bank, NS (Grant Burton, CS)
• Victoria Li, Ottawa, ON (Dicheng Liu, CS)
• Cailyn MacAulay, Stratford, PEI (Terry MacAulay, CS)
• Simrit Rakhra, Vancouver, BC (Sukhjit Singh Rakhra, AFS)
• Yiming (Linda) Song, Kirkland, QC (Naiheng Song, NRC-RO/RCO)
• Amy Wang, Ottawa, ON (Qunfang Gao, SP)
• Ally Zhao, Vaughan, ON (Xiaowen Zhang, SP)

Boys and Girls Clubs scholarships

$1,500 scholarships

• Kariesha Bailey (Ottawa, ON), Carleton University, B.Sc.
• Mikeala Finley (Riverview, NB), New Brunswick Community College
• Anna Grant (Gatineau, QC), Université de Québec en Outaouais
• Emily Gunn (Norris Arm, NL), Memorial University of Newfoundland, B.A.
• Emma Hardy (Summerside, PEI) University of P.E.I., Science
• Krishna Kapoor (Mississauga, York University), Life Sciences
• Benjamin Luong, (Victoria, BC) University of Victoria, Psychology
• Yusar Malik (London, ON) University of Western Ontario, Medical Sciences
• Ninioluwa Marr, (Winnipeg, MB), University of Manitoba, Sciences
• Eh Hser Moo (Vancouver, BC) Trinity Western University, Business
• Kiara O’Neil (Gatineau, QC), Université de Québec en Outaouais, Sciences
• Meegan Porter (Orleans), Algonquin College, Health Sciences
• Breanna Ross (Yorkton, SK) University of Regina, Business
• Pallav Singh (Etobicoke, ON) University of Toronto, Civil Engineering
• Lucy Wilson (Calgary, AB) University of Calgary, Child Health

Our scholarships are funded by the generous contributions of individual members, constituent bodies, and by corporate sponsors.

You can help us support a new generation of young professionals and make a difference in their lives.

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