PIPSC election candidates allege union committee censored their bios
As the national election campaign for the second-largest federal public service union heats up, at least two candidates are alleging they have been censored by the union’s elections committee. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents 57,000 government IT workers, scientists, and other professionals, will hold its national election on Nov. […]
Minister Bibeau’s Sierra Leone visit highlights need to invest in quality education
This past Saturday, Sept. 8, International Literacy Day was celebrated around the world with the theme ‘literacy and skills development,’ reminding us all that literacy is a fundamental human right essential for human capital development and the creation of equitable and sustainable societies. It also reminds us that literacy—long recognized as a lever to attain […]
Canada’s research stars should get a shot at same funding as foreign scholars
Outstanding scholars in diverse fields are entering the Canadian academic community from abroad thanks to the Canada 150 Chairs initiative, a $117.6-million program first announced in the federal budget a year ago. Talented researchers from New England to New Zealand have taken up newly created positions in Canadian universities from coast to coast. The Canada […]
Bureaucrats on the move: ESDC DM leaves, feds get new chief HR officer
The highly respected deputy minister of Employment and Social Development Canada is leaving to become Canada’s representative at the International Monetary Fund. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) announced on Aug. 31 that Louise Levonian, who has been in her current role since May 2016, was recently nominated by Finance Minister Bill Morneau (Toronto Centre, […]
Feds to decide on next pay system in spring, says official in charge
The government is set to decide on how to replace the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system in the spring, with a new procurement process that could see the system purchase made by then, if need be, according to Canada’s chief information officer, who is tasked with coming up with it. Alex Benay said no pay-system option […]
What about the quality of the jobs, Minister Hajdu?
Dear minister of employment, workforce development and labour, I have been hearing how this government has created thousands of new jobs across Canada, and I have a relatively simple question for you: how many of these new jobs of which you boast have company pensions attached to them, medical and dental coverage, or even vacation […]
Public Services to pitch next step for Phoenix pay fix in September
The office responsible for fixing the troubled Phoenix pay system is taking another step forward, hoping to cut the time it will take to get thousands of public servants paid properly. Problems with Phoenix have left public servants with too little or too much pay for almost two and a half years. Les Linklater, the associate […]
Action plan laid out in new PCO anti-harassment report encouraging, say union heads
Top-level managers are indicating they’re ready to get serious about rooting out harassment in the public service, suggesting in a new report actions with concrete timelines to better support victims and educate employees and managers on the long-standing issue. Safe Workspaces: Starting a Dialogue and Taking Action on Harassment in the Public Service, which was […]
PIPSC members demand answers after VP suddenly resigns, drops harassment claim against union leaders
Members of the second-largest federal public service union are demanding transparency and accountability after they allege two top officials secretly settled a harassment lawsuit against them filed by another executive, leading her to resign and drop her re-election bid. While Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada president Debi Daviau and vice-president Steve Hindle […]
Public service hiring stats useful to show imbalances
Re: “#DMsSoWhite: so few visible-minority senior public servants, feds won’t release stats,” (The Hill Times, Aug. 15, p. 1). Perhaps the focus on the lack of visible minorities in the senior management of the federal public service is unfortunately balanced in the lower ranks. Then-Treasury Board president Lucienne Robillard said in 2002 that “recruitment practices are based on the fundamental values […]
