ECC - 6th Annual Respect Day, November 24th, 2020

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that ECCC will celebrate its 6^th Annual Respect Day on November 24, 2020. The establishment of this awareness day in our department was a direct result of collaborative efforts between bargaining agents in the department, union representatives and the employer. Building on past efforts, the Respectful and Healthy Workplace and Mental Health Co-champions along with the Corporate Mental Health Team, bring to you activities to celebrate this very important day.

The theme for this year is Respect through my eyes, which explores respect through the lens of a diverse workforce that promotes inclusion, especially in these challenging times. Respect Day aims to encourage respectful discussions to understand different perspectives, integrate healthy work habits, raise and address fear of reprisal, and galvanize sustained efforts in fostering a culture of care built on respect and inclusion.

We have a shared responsibility in creating a respectful workplace. By making daily concerted efforts, a culture of care and respect where employees feel safe to raise concerns can be attained.

While we work to achieve our mandate of protecting and conserving the environment as well as delivering services to Canadians, we also need to continue to focus and address issues in the workplace environment. It is important now more than ever to reflect on how we can continue and accelerate to improve our workplace for the better, through respect as its foundation.

We encourage you to explore what respect means to you, and how integrating empathy can increase healthy work relationships. We also invite you to participate in the following activities, which promote connection and engagement in fostering a culture of care in these times, built on inclusion, trust and respect.

Virtual Armchair Discussion: Respect through my eyes

Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Time: 1:00 to 2:30 pm (EDT)

How to participate: Links to the live broadcast below - available across Canada by webcast

English (with simultaneous translation):

French (with simultaneous translation):

Bilingual (as spoken):

Bilingue (tel que parlé):

You will also receive a calendar invitation from the co-champions including the links to the live broadcast.

Opening remarks:

• Christine Hogan, Deputy Minister
• Martine Dubuc, Associate Deputy Minister

The panelists:

• Diane Campbell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Meteorological Service of Canada and Respectful and Healthy Workplace and Mental Health co-champion
• Waheed Khan, President, National Consultation, The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Senior Advisor, Multilateral Affairs and Climate Change (MACC) and Respectful and Healthy Workplace and Mental Health co-champion
• Naina Sloan, Regional Director General West and North and Diversity and Inclusion co-champion
• Nicole Cote, Executive Director, Environmental Assessment, Environmental Protection Branch, and Disability and Accessibility co-champion
• Cheice Sorbie (she/her), Policy Analyst, Indigenous and External Relations Division, Pan-Canadian Framework Implementation Office and Black Employees Network co-founder and Executive
• Audrey Shawana, Program Assistant, Environmental Assessment, Environmental Protection Branch and Indigenous Employees Network Member

For more information, check out the event poster.

November 23-27: Take the 5-Day Respect Challenge

Participate individually or as a team in the 5-Day Respect Challenge. It’s simple! Take one respectful action per day to promote respectful workplace practices.

Virtual morning coffee with your colleagues

Take the time in the morning of November 24, and discuss with a colleague or your team what respect means to you over coffee or tea. Download the virtual invitation and send it through Outlook to your colleagues. Use the Respectful Behaviours Activity from the Respect Bureau to stimulate a discussion.

Thank you for your participation and dedication in fostering a culture of respect and civility at ECCC. Respect matters! We all have a role to play!