The Chief Science Advisor of Canada, Dr. Mona Nemer, recently released her 2018 Annual Report, in which she highlights the close working relationship she enjoys with the Professional Institute.

Dr. Nemer is particularly proud of our joint work on the Model Policy on Scientific Integrity, which provides a framework for science-based decision-making in the federal government, and guidelines for the unmuzzled public discussion of the research our members are conducting.

As the Report elegantly summarizes: “Communication of science is vital to ensuring an informed citizenry and healthy and engaged society.  It underpins our democratic processes.  Yet moving science from the field or lab and into the public discourse requires considerable time, effort and resources. It is important that researchers understand their obligations to convey the results of their work and participate in public dissemination of their research”.

The Chief Science Advisor is also committed to supporting the federal science workforce on matters of critical importance to thousands of PIPSC members: “(…) significant effort will be required to chart workforce dynamics, bring disparate information sources together, and collect new qualitative and quantitative information for developing effective strategies for workforce renewal, ensuring equity, and supporting career and continuous skills development”.

PIPSC is honoured to work with Dr. Nemer and her staff.  We look forward to many more years of fruitful collaboration on issues of vital interest not only to our members, but to all Canadians.

With the 2018 tax season upon us, it is critical for PIPSC members to have accurate information as they prepare to file their tax returns. Unfortunately, Phoenix has caused innumerable pay errors for tens of thousands of our members. 

The government publishes a substantial amount of online material about Phoenix and taxes. Please see the following Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency web pages for guidance should you have any questions about your specific pay and tax situation:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/frequently-asked-questions-tax-implications-phoenix-payroll-issues.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/complaints-disputes/taxpayer-relief-provisions.html

https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/remuneration-compensation/services-paye-pay-services/centre-presse-media-centre/mise-a-jour-trop-paye-overpayment-update-eng.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/pay/submit-claim-fees-tax-advisory-services.html

https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/remuneration-compensation/services-paye-pay-services/centre-presse-media-centre/index-eng.html

PIPSC members are reminded that the government has implemented a program that provides for the reimbursement of up to $200 per year for tax advice linked to a Phoenix issue. The government is encouraging its employees to contact their departmental claims officer if they have any questions in this regard and is evaluating each situation on a case by case basis, so our members are encouraged to look into this initiative even if they have incurred more than that amount in seeking the help of a tax expert to address a Phoenix-related matter.

PIPSC members can also call on our Phoenix specialists if they are experiencing pay problems. Our team can be reached at https://www.pipsc.ca/news-issues/phoenix-pay-system/phoenix-help-form. Please visit the PIPSC web page at https://www.pipsc.ca/news-issues/phoenix-pay-system for more information about Phoenix and what the Institute has been doing to support its members throughout the crisis.

OTTAWA, March 19, 2019 -- Budget 2019 makes a significant investment in fixing the problems of the current Phoenix pay system, but falls short in announcing new funding for the government’s replacement, says the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

“Despite a commitment in the Budget to replace Phoenix, the absence of any major funding to ensure it happens without delay is a disappointment to our members,” says PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “Funds to help employees with their pay problems are welcome but provide only a short-term plan to deal with what remains a three-year-old crisis. Our members need to know there is light at the end of this nightmarish tunnel. The government is still paying for the mistakes of the past rather than investing in a fix for the future.”  

In its final Budget before the next election, the federal government has also left undone much of the job of restoring the public service to levels that would ensure tax fairness and adequate investment in public science.

While the Budget invests an additional $77 million a year in the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) to, among other things, combat tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance, the Agency’s budget remains almost $500 million less than in 2012. “The Budget’s investment at the CRA will not go far to address much-needed training and technological improvements to catch offshore tax cheats and enforce tax fairness,” says Daviau. 

The government deserves praise for replenishing the ranks of federal scientists, engineers and researchers over the past three years – 1,500 of which positions had been lost due to cuts under the former government. But actual spending – in particular, on government R&D – is lower today than it was under the Harper government. “Canada needs more, not less, federal government science and we are very disappointed that this budget makes little investment in government research and development,” said Daviau.

With collective bargaining underway and many public servants still stung by Phoenix and the impacts of Harper-era budget cuts, the government needs to do better to ensure the public service is restored and that our members’ demands for better pay protections, improved family leave and stronger safeguards against workplace harassment are among its own priorities. The current budget leaves a lot to be desired.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents approximately 60,000 public service professionals across Canada, most of them employed by the federal government.

Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter (@pipsc_ipfpc).

For further information: Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

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PIPSC marked the third anniversary of Phoenix, in February 2019, with a National Week of Action. Members organized events in their workplaces, hosted meet and greets, and President Debi Daviau made our voices heard loud and clear in her call for sufficient funds in the next budget to ensure Phoenix’s replacement proceeds without delay.

“President Debi Daviau held a press conference Monday on Parliament Hill to provide an update on the third anniversary of the failed Phoenix pay system. Daviau called for the proper funding allocation in the federal budget 2019 to ensure a smooth implementation of the overhauled pay system.” reported Global News.

CTV News reports, “civil servants this month are marking three years since the initial roll-out of Phoenix, which resulted in more than half of federal employees being overpaid, underpaid or not paid at all.”

“The Phoenix system was launched three years ago across a limited number of government departments with the goal of streamlining what had become a cumbersome, out-of-date structure. It was also supposed to save taxpayers $70 million annually by eliminating the jobs of thousands of pay advisers,” reports Canada’s National Observer.

The article continued, “the combined cost of implementing the system and subsequently trying to stabilize it is now estimated to exceed $1 billion.”

The Star reported, “unless cash is earmarked this spring for a new system to pay federal employees, the tens of thousands of workers affected by the current system’s problems could be left in limbo for months, or even years, the head of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada warned.”

“Daviau said the government appears to be on a “fast track” toward finding a new system to replace Phoenix, having trimmed the list of prospective vendors down to three,” reported The Globe and Mail.

You can see President Daviau’s complete press announcement on CPAC.

From hospitals and highways, to courthouses and bridges, Mike Pauley has helped build some of New Brunswick’s most important public infrastructure. As a professional engineer for New Brunswick’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Mike manages large projects that are usually highly political and controversial.

Being an engineer was a logical choice for Mike when it came time to pick a career. “I like to fix things, and I like to solve problems. I also like to play with big toys,” he says, laughing. As it turns out, Mike is very good at solving problems – the bigger the better. And his current work is as much about diplomacy – listening to and managing stakeholders – as the science of engineering.

“My work begins when people come to me with a concept. For example, we need to build a psychiatric hospital in Campbellton. I would look at that and then go through all of the processes right from concept to completion and make sure everybody gets what they need,” says Mike.

It’s often a tricky balance that involves keeping stakeholders involved and engaged, while making sure environmental and other codes and standards are carefully adhered to. Ultimately, the goal is always to deliver a project that serves the public’s interests.

“When you’re managing these major infrastructure projects, I think the public has to take comfort in the fact that they have a person who works for the province who is going to do the right thing in their eyes,” he says.

Mike’s pride is apparent when he talks about the Petticodiac River Project in Moncton. The $61 million project will see a bridge replace a 50-year-old causeway – undoing decades of environmental damage. The causeway had blocked the river flow – causing massive silt buildup, restricting fish migration, and diminishing one of the area’s biggest tourist attractions – the ‘tidal bore’. It’s taken years to get the project funded, get stakeholders on board and do all of the environmental assessments, but ground finally broke last year. The new bridge and a healthy river will be part of Mike’s career legacy.  

“I feel a great sense of pride in the work. There’s a great sense of accomplishment at the end of a project when you get to see people that utilize the work that you do to actually improve their lives,” he says.

It’s not just the engineering work Mike loves – being active in his union is also a big part of his job satisfaction. He’s been actively involved with PIPSC since 1996, and a steward since 1998. “The reason I became as active as I am is because I really enjoy helping people,” he says. “I like making sure that the employer knows what it takes to keep people happy in their jobs. It’s not always about money. It’s about self-esteem, development and the profession itself.”

For Mike, the union is as strong as its members. “I keep telling people that we are the union, and as long as we keep supporting each other, we’ll have a better time at work.”

08 March 2019

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY traces back to the 1900s, rising from the labour movements in North America and Europe, signaling a growing movement for women to participate equally in society. The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women's Year and began celebrating International Women's Day on March 8, later adopting a resolution designating March 8 as International Women's Day.

It is an opportunity to celebrate the progress made to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment and to reflect on the improvements made and strive for momentum towards gender equality worldwide. It is a day to recognize the extraordinary acts of women and to stand together, as a united force, to advance gender equality around the world.

This year's theme for calls for action, to harness the power of technology to create a more equal world. Innovation and technology represent opportunities, but trends show a growing gender digital divide and women are under-represented in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design (STEM). It is a barrier to developing and influencing gender-responsive innovations and achieve transformative gains. It is imperative to remove the barriers facing women in STEM, so new ideas and solutions will be unleashed that will transform our society and strengthen our economy.

PIPSC invites members to celebrate, recognize and acknowledge the achievements of women in their life!

#IWD2019 #WomensDay #InnovateForChange #BalanceforBetter #WIKI4WOMEN

Status of Women Canada
https://cfc-swc.gc.ca/commemoration/iwd-jif/theme-en.html

United Nations - International Women’s Day
http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/index.shtml

UNESCO - Priority Gender Equality
https://en.unesco.org/genderequality

PIPSC 2019 Human Rights and Diversity Committee
Email chrd-cdpd@pipsc.ca