The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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Happy Pride Month! And while we are ready to celebrate, we also know there are constant attacks being made against the LGBTQ2+ community that require our attention and advocacy.

In recent years, Canada has witnessed a troubling attack on the LGBTQ2+ community, posing a substantial threat to the hard-won progress toward inclusivity and equality. Threats to the trans community – particularly regarding gender-affirming care – have been especially severe, with a spike in discriminatory discourse, legislation, and policy. Such attacks not only violate fundamental human rights and dignity principles, but also perpetuate detrimental stigmas and disparities. The labour movement has an important role to play in fighting back against these attacks. 

On that front, PIPSC is proud to celebrate the long-overdue enhancements that were made to the Public sector Health Care Plan (PSHCP) – including a significant increase regarding coverage for gender-affirming treatment and procedures. PIPSC members now have gender affirmation coverage at $75,000 per lifetime and automatic coverage for electrolysis. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PSHCP is transitioning to a new plan administrator on July 1, 2023. Canada Life should have sent you a letter or email inviting you to complete your enrollment. If not, please look in your spam folder. If you cannot find your invitation, immediately contact the Canada Life PSHCP Member Contact Centre at 1-855-415-4414.

For uninterrupted claims processing and reimbursement for yourself and your covered dependents beyond July 1, 2023, you must enlist with and consent to have claims handled by Canada Life by July 1, 2023.

With a plan as large as the PSHCP, these life changing treatments make a negligible impact on plan costs that is infinitely outweighed by what it delivers in helping some of our colleagues feel more like themselves.

The changes to the PSHCP come into effect July 1, 2023. For more information, check out this webinar recording and our FAQs, or RSVP for one of our upcoming webinars later this month:

Happy Pride to everyone! If you are interested in organizing local Pride events or parades, please email Catherine Gagnon at cgagnon@pipsc.ca. 

Published on 16 June 2023

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, we at PIPSC would like to extend our warmest wishes to all our Muslim members. 

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion for Muslims around the world. At PIPSC, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that respects the beliefs and practices of all our members.

To facilitate the participation of all our members in PIPSC events and activities, we will be accommodating dietary restrictions based on religious beliefs, including those related to fasting during Ramadan. If you will be fasting and attending a PIPSC event or activity, please inform the organizer in advance that you will not require meals and refreshments at the meeting.

In lieu of the meals and refreshments at the meeting, PIPSC will provide you with a per diem reimbursement. This reimbursement can be used towards your sehri and iftar meals, allowing you to observe your religious practices while still being an active member of our union.

As an inclusive organization, PIPSC is dedicated to ensuring that all members feel welcomed, valued, and supported. Your contributions to our community are invaluable, and we are proud to stand by your side as you observe this important time of the year.

We wish you a peaceful Ramadan.

Published on 20 March 2023

Approximately every 6 days, right here in this country, a woman is killed by her intimate partner.

The pandemic has led to an increase in crisis calls and demands for shelter. Sexual assault is the only violent crime in Canada that isn’t declining – and hasn’t since 1999.

We could spend all day talking about the stats but taking action is what’s going to change things. 

We’ve partnered with internationally recognized women’s rights advocate and public educator, Julie Lalonde to bring you 2 workshops on taking action to end gender-based violence:

  • Bystander intervention to build community care
    • Teaches you how to step-in when you see inappropriate or aggressive behavior, including in the workplace, and how you can step in to support others who may be dealing with intimate partner violence.
  • Creating consent culture with your youth
    • Learn how to discuss the important topics of consent, party culture and harassment with the young people in our lives, and help turn the tide for the next generation.

 Watch the workshop: Bystander intervention to build community care 

 

Watch the workshop: Creating consent culture with your youth 

 

Published on 2 March 2023

February is Black History Month.

This year, Black public service professionals are anxiously awaiting news about the Black class-action lawsuit against the federal government for systemic racism, discrimination, and exclusion in the workplace. 

PIPSC supports the plaintiffs. We acknowledge that Black members face systemic challenges breaking into public sector jobs and then advancing as they deserve – losing out on opportunities offered to others based on their race. 

We will consult our Black members who have faced barriers in their professional lives, in order to understand how the allegations of the Class-action continue to affect them. The Class-action is an opportunity for PIPSC to learn, do better, and move forward.

Getting fair work conditions for Black public service professionals is something we’re not giving up on. In 2021, we recommended that the Employment Equity Act be amended with “Black” identified as a separate equity-seeking group.

Today’s successes are built off a strong foundation left for us by our ancestors. Black labour activists in Canada fought for decades to bring in decent working conditions. One key step to economic integration in the early 20th century was the creation of the first Black railway labour union in 1917, called the “Order of Sleeping Car Porters”. Their story is recounted in “The Road Taken”.

We encourage members to take some time (perhaps over your lunch break) to watch this short film in celebration of Black History Month, and in solidarity with their colleagues still pushing for better.

WATCH THE FILM

While there is much work to do to continue to seek true equity for Black workers, we have so much to celebrate within our union. The achievements of our Black members are incredible, and we celebrate our members doing great things for Canadians on the daily. 

Black members who want to join the PIPSC Black caucus and support this important work can email Blackcaucus@pipsc.ca to learn more.

JOIN THE BLACK CAUCUS

Published on 3 February 2023

On the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and in recognition of Orange Shirt Day, join PIPSC in supporting residential school survivors, and making an impact for truth and reconciliation.

On September 30, we will raise a flag at our National Office in support of survivors of residential schools. It’s our duty as public service professionals to recognize the genocide and intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools, and to take action to correct historical wrongdoings.

September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day in honour of Phyllis Webstad’s story of having her orange shirt removed upon arrival at a residential school.

Together, let’s commit to promoting Indigenous culture, supporting Indigenous artists, revitalizing Indigenous languages, and supporting Indigenous community organizations.

We’re encouraging members to make a donation to an Indigenous organization or charity of your support. Pledge your donation to support Truth and Reconciliation. For those that make a pledge, we’ll suggest some charities and thank you with a small token of appreciation. PIPSC will also make an important donation to show our support of Indigenous communities fighting for Truth and Reconciliation.

Join a local event for September 30

Support language revitalization

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for a dozen actions related to Indigenous language promotion and support. Celebrate Indigenous languages by learning the basics of at least one of the 70 Indigenous languages present in Canada.

Pledge a donation now

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