News & Issues

Despite much public controversy surrounding it over the past few months, Bill C-27, which would make it easier for employers to convert existing employee Defined Benefit (or DB) pension plans to so-called Target Benefit (or TB) plans, remains at the First Reading stage in Parliament. That means it could still become law if nothing is done to stop it.

PIPSC is proud to salute and celebrate the legacy, the courage and the contribution of the Black community.

I recently wrote to Treasury Board President Scott Brison to express my frustration at being informed that the government is very likely not going to be able to process overpayment claims reported by the January 19, 2018 deadline.

As we approach the two-year anniversary of the introduction of the Phoenix pay system, PIPSC members are still facing mounting pay problems – and they’ve had enough. The time has come for the government to compensate employees for the hardship this system has put our members through.

The news that Canada’s largest private-sector union, Unifor, has decided to withdraw its membership from the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) has taken many by surprise.

It is with great sadness that the Institute announces the death of one of its most prominent members, Dr. Shiv Chopra.

It has come to our attention that many of you who are trying to report overpayments by the January 19, 2018 deadline cannot get through to Contact Centre staff because of busy signals or being put on hold for extended periods.

With the 2017 tax season almost here, overpayment situations caused by the Phoenix system can become particularly stressful for government employees. Pressed by public service bargaining agents, the government has taken a number of steps to ensure public servants are not out-of-pocket as a result of an overpayment.

Predictions are rarely 100% accurate. But some offer better-educated guesses than others. Here then are my forecasts (and a few resolutions) for the coming year.

Send a message to Finance Minister Bill Morneau on the upcoming 2018 Federal Budget. Take a moment and visit #YourBudget2018 and fill out the federal government’s four brief, interactive budget surveys.

On behalf of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), which represents some 55,000 professionals across Canada’s federal and provincial public sectors, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to civilian members of the RCMP from these Occupational Groups, who will so

On December 11, 2017, the federal government released “Building a Diverse and Inclusive Public Service,” the final report of the Joint Union/Management Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion.

Over the past few months, there have been a number of developments concerning your integration into the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). While we have endeavoured to communicate with you in a timely and accurate fashion, it is not always easy for us to understand the government’s thinking. But we have now reached a stage where we are confident in what we can tell you.

Recently changes were made to the Employment Insurance Act (E.I.) to introduce new leaves and extend the duration of the parental leave.

"Power Play CTV - Interview with union leader a/ IBM pay system in Queensland" filmed on December 4, 2017

December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) welcomes today’s apology by the Prime Minister to members of the LGBTQ community harmed by decades of official and unofficial discrimination.

PIPSC is applauding a decision by the federal government to put the transfer of RCMP civilian employees to the Phoenix pay system “indefinitely” on hold.

More reaction on the Phoenix system from Public Services and Procurement Canada Minister Carla Qualtrough and Debi Daviau posted on CPAC on November 21, 2017

"Ottawa turns to U.S. tech giants too often: internal memo" published on CBC.ca on November 24, 2017"

Today’s report by Auditor General Michael Ferguson on the problems with the troubled Phoenix pay system provides further evidence to support our argument that Phoenix is beyond fixing and sh

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) has concluded its 98th annual general meeting by calling on the federal government to set up specialized teams to investigate the 3,300 Canadian names reportedly involved in the Paradise Papers.

The 98th Annual General Meeting of the Institute was adjourned on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at  6:10  p.m.  

At 6:10 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2017, President Debi Daviau returned to the podium to give her closing remarks.

PIPSC President and Legacy Foundation Chair Debi Daviau thanked the members in all the Regions for their fundraising efforts and contributions to the Legacy Foundation.

Interested delegates met to discuss the Institute’s initiatives to support women in science.  Delegates were invited to brainstorm:

Before dinner on Friday, November 17, delegates viewed a video update on the Institute’s Legacy Foundation, including brief profiles of this year’s scholarship laureates.  

During lunch and health breaks, members benefited from the presence of our ServicePlus partners to learn about products and services available to them at advantageous rates. Visitors to the various booths also qualified for prizes which were provided by the exhibitors.

President Debi Daviau presented awards to five deserving Institute members for their exemplary and inspiring leadership, and thanked the members of the Award Selection Panel – Chair Bert Crossman,  Ralph Herman, and Nita Saville – for reviewing the nominations and for recommending these laureates

The “Steward of the Year” award acknowledges those who have gone “above and beyond” their duties to assist members and who have made extraordinary contributions to the Institute.

Delegates viewed a video that outlined the new model for education and training for Institute members. Members’ training needs have become the guiding principles of the new education model, according to the Training and Education Committee.

Members can be proud of what PIPSC has accomplished over the past year. Members can also be proud of what they do every day for Canadians.  Others deserve to know and celebrate what PIPSC members do.

At 9 a.m. Alex Himelfarb, former Clerk of the Privy Council, delivered the keynote address.

At 8:30 a.m. sharp on Friday, November 17, 2017, AGM Co-Chairs Marilyn Best and Laurent Joncas called the 98th Annual General Meeting to order with a warm welcome to the 458 delegates.

Canada's public service is the best in the world.  Let's keep it that way.