August 16, 2022 — Ottawa, Ontario, Traditional unceded Algonquin Territory — Indigenous Services Canada 

Nursing shortages are impacting health care delivery across the country, with frontline workers taking on tremendous workloads and burdens as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workforce continue. In many Indigenous remote and isolated communities, these impacts are exacerbated, posing challenges not only for staffing but for community health and safety as well. 

Nurses working in remote and isolated communities are some of the most resourceful and resilient health care professionals across Canada. In acknowledgement of their efforts and the current challenges in staffing, the Government of Canada and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada have reached an agreement to increase the existing recruitment and retention allowances for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) nurses working in these locations.

This increase will take effect starting September 1, 2022, and continue through to March 31, 2025, or when a new collective agreement is reached—whichever comes first. It will be provided to both full- and part-time ISC nurses delivering critical services in remote and isolated First Nations communities in accordance with the terms of the agreement. 

Moving forward, the agreement provides the following:

• Triple the initial recruitment allowance, from $2,250 to $6,750
• Triple the allowance provided after twelve months of employment, from $3,250 to $9,750
• Triple the annual retention allowance, from $5,500 to $16,500

This agreement applies to the 50 remote and isolated communities where ISC nurses are located: Ontario (24), Manitoba (21), Alberta (4), and Quebec (1). 

It is essential now more than ever to ensure nurses are available and accessible to Indigenous Peoples living in remote and isolated locations. We recognize the effects that staffing challenges at health centres and nursing stations in remote and isolated communities can have on First Nations communities. As such, ISC continues to work closely with Indigenous partners, communities and leaders to pursue timely solutions to raise staffing levels and maintain the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples.

For more information on applications for nursing positions in communities, please visit Indigenous Services Canada's website at Apply for nursing jobs in First Nations communities. 

Quotes

"All of us rely on the care of nurses and frontline health care workers. Over these past two years, they have worked so hard to get us through the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the country, health care workers are tired, and the health sector is struggling. The impact of the health care worker shortage can often be greater in remote and isolated First Nations, impacting not only health care delivery, but overall community health and well-being. We need to recruit and retain these amazing workers who serve so many Indigenous communities. The Government of Canada is providing a significant increase to compensation for Indigenous Services Canada nurses in remote and isolated communities through to 2025. This is an important step forward as we work to make sure we have a robust health care workforce for rural and remote nursing in Indigenous communities." 

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services

"Nurses work relentlessly to keep remote communities healthy under the most challenging of circumstances. We applaud this step forward to recognize and fairly compensate them for their dedication, and continue to advocate for improved working conditions and pay for all frontline workers."

Jennifer Carr
President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)

"We are pleased to have worked collaboratively with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada to help address challenges with the recruitment and retention of Indigenous Services Canada nurses. This will improve critical services in remote and isolated First Nations communities as well as encourage recruitment of nurses who wish to make a positive impact in First Nations health care."

The Honourable Mona Fortier
President of the Treasury Board

"As the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for Indigenous Services Canada and a registered nurse for 32 years, I know that nursing holds a unique place in our country's health care systems. After years of witnessing the impact nurses have had on the safety and well-being of First Nations communities, I am more than pleased to announce these increases to our recruitment and retention allowances. These increases provide an additional tool to encourage nurses to join our incredible team in one of the most challenging and rewarding nursing roles in Canada."

Leila Gillis
Deputy Chief Nursing Office, Indigenous Services Canada 

Quick facts

• This increase will take effect starting September 1, 2022, and continue through to March 31, 2025, or when a new collective agreement is reached. 

• Communities impacted by the agreement are located in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Quebec.

• On a daily basis, approximately 223 nurses are required to meet established operational levels. The majority of ISC nurses in remote and isolated locations work on a part-time rotational basis.

• As of June 30, ISC directly employed 839 nurses working in frontline community positions in our two hospitals and in management and practice support roles across the country.

• ISC has a Nursing Health Human Resources Framework aimed to comprehensively bolster recruitment and retention through implementing plans established under five specific commitments:

  1. Talent Acquisition and Management
  2. Modernize the Practice Environment
  3. Ensure the Well-being of the Workforce
  4. Become a Labour Workforce Influencer
  5. Maintain a Nimble and Agile Surge Response

Associated links

• Apply for nursing jobs in First Nations communities

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Alison Murphy
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services
Alison.Murphy@sac-isc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
media@sac-isc.gc.ca 

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Telephone: 613-369-9400
Toll-free: 1-855-TBS-9-SCT (1-855-827-9728)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 613-369-9371
media@tbs-sct.gc.ca

Elizabeth Berman
Media Relations
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)
613-400-1633
eberman@pipsc.ca

Stay connected

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Instagram: @gcindigenous
Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth

OTTAWA, July 6, 2022 – Today, NDP Critic for Tax Fairness and Inequality, Niki Ashton (Churchill – Keewatinook Aski), along with Canadians for Tax Fairness economist and lead researcher, DT Cochrane, and Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada President, Jennifer Carr, called on Justin Trudeau’s Liberals to act for more tax fairness in Canada. They are calling on the government to end its unfair tax system and make the rich pay their fair share of taxes. The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that Canada lost up to $25 billion in 2018 alone due to tax evasion and avoidance by the rich and large corporations. The NDP is urging the Liberals to close the tax gap, identify loopholes in Canada’s tax code and give the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) the tools it needs to ensure that billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.    

“While working people are struggling to make ends meet, it is unacceptable that the rich and powerful are being let off the hook,” said Ashton. “We are losing billions of dollars due to tax evasion and avoidance that could be invested in social services that Canadian families need, particularly as the cost of living soars. Justin Trudeau must act now to make things fairer for Canadians, and to give the CRA the tools it needs to make the rich and powerful pay their fair share.”   

Just recently, Canadians learned that the Liberals collaborated with accounting firm KPMG to keep them from paying their fair share of taxes. While hard-working people are struggling to get by, they watch in disbelief as their government caters to big businesses and billionaires. Since the Liberals came to power seven years ago, they have allowed big corporations and billionaires off the hook when it comes to paying their taxes. The NDP is fighting to change this.  

"It is our job to make tax fairness our priority and to close loopholes that let the rich and powerful off the hook,” said Ashton. “It's time for action. Liberals must change the law that lets the richest avoid paying their fair share. We also need greater scrutiny including a special committee focused on tax fairness. It's time to make sure those at the top are paying their fair share.”   

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Quotes by validators:

"Taxes deserve the careful consideration of parliamentarians if we’re going to get the fairer system that Canadians expect and deserve."

- Canadians for Tax Fairness economist and lead researcher, DT Cochrane
 

"We can’t afford to not invest in the CRA. It's not just about money for public services, it's about fairness. Everyone, including the ultra-rich and corporations, need to pay their fair share. It is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to the society that has made them successful. It is not about going after the average Canadian that works hard and plays by the rules. It’s about making sure they aren’t the only folks contributing to our tax system and the public services we all rely on."

- Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada President, Jennifer Carr
 

For more information, please contact: 

NDP Media Centre: 613-222-2351 or media@ndp.ca

View release in your browser:
http://www.ndp.ca/news/ndp-calls-action-make-rich-and-powerful-pay-their-fair-share 

OTTAWA, April 7, 2022 – Jennifer Carr, President of The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), welcomed progress in Budget 2022 on a fairer economic recovery, including new investments in CRA going after tax cheats, providing mental health help for Black public service workers, and expanding the Public Sector Pension Investment Board to include union representatives. But Carr expressed serious concern over the government’s Strategic Policy Review.

“Today’s budget makes some welcome progress, especially on investing in CRA to go after tax cheats, increased tax fairness and mental health support for Black public service workers,” said Carr. “But public service professionals have serious questions for the government on what exactly they plan to cut and hope the government doesn't plan to balance the budget on the backs of members of the public service.” 

“We were pleased to see a budget that moves forward on affordable housing and dental care while taking steps towards fairer taxation and implementing pharmacare,” said Carr. “But after public service professionals developed new programs and delivered emergency help to people in record time, it is disappointing the government continues to spend billions a year and rely on advice from costly consultants instead of Canada’s professional public servants.”

“Remote work has helped make progress on creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable public service. But we have concerns about whether the federal government has learned the right lessons from the past two years,” said Carr. “We were hoping to see a more consistent and coherent approach to policies around return to work and creating safe workplaces.”

Additionally, Carr hoped to see new investments in training and upskilling the public service and the restoration of critical science funding.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, April 6, 2022 – Jennifer Carr, President of The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), will be available to talk about how Budget 2022 will impact the delivery of public services Canadians rely on and the priorities of public service workers.

 “PIPSC has been calling for progress on building a more diverse and inclusive public service. We need to learn the right lessons from our experience during two years of pandemic and remote work,” said Carr. “Public servants are now looking for a coherent and coordinated approach for a safe return to offices.”

PIPSC has called for new investments in training and upskilling, so today’s public service professionals are prepared to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow. Carr added that PIPSC has been raising concerns about increasing expenditures on outsourcing and is looking to the budget for action to reduce this practice.

“Over-reliance on outsourcing to costly consultants creates lower quality services for Canadians. This has led to debacles like the Phoenix pay scandal,” said Carr. “The outsourcing bill for Phoenix is now over $650 million, for a system that never worked.”

PIPSC previously released its pre-budget submission outlining priorities for its members and for all Canadians.

This included calling for investments in health care and making life more affordable while making real progress towards fairer taxation. PIPSC is also looking to the government to restore $800 million in science funding to federal departments and agencies to bring in-house spending back to 2010-2011 levels.

What:         President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service available for comment on Budget 2022

Where:       By phone or by ZOOM 

When:        April 7, 2022 or in advance of the budget

Who:          Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

CHALK RIVER, March 25, 2022 – The Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG), represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) reached a deal and voted in favour of a new collective agreement with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).

The three-year collective agreement resolves a year-long impasse over pay, job outsourcing, and working conditions. The new contract provides a wage increase of 3.5% in each year and new remote working terms and conditions.

CRPEG President Jonathan Fitzpatrick said that “This agreement would not have been possible with the strong support of our members. We have been without a collective agreement since January 2021 and last month, members had given us the strongest mandate for job action – including a strike – in the history of the Chalk River Professional Employees Group.”

CRPEG represents more than 660 engineers and scientists at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Chalk River campus, ensuring the safe operation of nuclear reactors, and supporting safe radioactive waste management and environmental remediation projects across Canada. CRPEG members contribute to the health of Canadians through research on nuclear medicine. 

Jennifer Carr, the President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) congratulated both parties and extended her thanks to each and every member of the CRPEG group on this new agreement. 

With over 60,000 members, PIPSC is the largest union in Canada representing scientists and professionals employed at the federal and some provincial and territorial levels of government.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

CHALK RIVER, February 21, 2022 – Members of the Chalk River Professional Employees Group (CRPEG), represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) are considering their options as conciliation with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) failed to resolve a year-long impasse over fair pay, job outsourcing, and working conditions.

The bargaining team entered into conciliation with the intent of reaching a negotiated agreement that recognizes the professional work of CRPEG’s nuclear scientists and engineers. The bargaining team is disappointed with the company’s last offer.

CRPEG President Jonathan Fitzpatrick said that “We kept Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) strong during the pandemic, and according to the company, exceeded their expectations. In return, when the increase in the cost of living is well over 5%, what the company is offering is effectively a rollback in wages.”

“Now more than ever, we stand united and we will continue to fight to get fair pay, improve working conditions, and prevent outsourcing of our professional work. The employer must do better,” Mr. Fitzpatrick continued.

CRPEG workers will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 AM on March 14, 2022. While the Group remains focused on reaching a fair deal without a work stoppage, the option of job action remains on the table.

Mr. Fitzpatrick stated, “We have been without a collective agreement since January 2021 and our nuclear scientists and engineers are running out of patience. They have given us the strongest mandate for job action – including a strike –  in the history of the Chalk River Professional Employees Group. Our members deserve fair pay and we are prepared to walk off the job site if that’s what it takes.”

Jennifer Carr, the President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) stated that the union's 60 000 professionals across Canada’s public sector, fully support the 700 engineers and scientists at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Chalk River campus.

CRPEG members ensure the safe operation of nuclear reactors, and support safe radioactive waste management as well as environmental remediation projects across Canada. CRPEG members contribute to the health of Canadians through research on nuclear medicine.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, October 5, 2021 — Auditors, forensic accountants, and other tax professionals at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) have had enough of wealthy individuals and corporations avoiding taxes. They want the time and resources needed to collect offshore taxes, according to the union representing them.

“The release of the Pandora Papers provides another disturbing window into the complex global commercial landscape that allows many wealthy individuals and corporations to look for a haven where the tax rules don’t apply,” said Debi Daviau, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). “We need more investment in the CRA, along with enhanced transparency, international cooperation and political will to ensure everyone pays their fair share.”

The Liberals committed in their platform to invest up to $1 billion per year in the CRA to combat this type of tax avoidance, and to work with international partners to implement a global tax minimum so that corporations can’t escape the taxes they owe.

“We urge the government to fast-track its tax fairness agenda,” said President Daviau. “Canadians are fed up with the shell game, and tax professionals at the CRA are firmly among them.”

According to an Abacus Data poll commissioned by the Broadbent Institute and PIPSC, 92% of Canadians support closing tax loopholes used primarily by the wealthy and making it harder for corporations to strategically book profits in tax havens.

“Tax laws need to be revised and tax professionals at the CRA need the resources to enforce them equitably. The new Liberal government promised to take this issue seriously, and the new Minister of Revenue should get clear marching orders in their forthcoming mandate letter,” concluded Daviau.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents approximately 60,000 public service professionals across Canada, including nearly 12,000 auditors, forensic accountants, and other tax professionals at the CRA.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, March 11, 2021 — Government outsourcing deepens gender inequity across Canada’s public service, shows a new report by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

“There are two worlds of outsourcing in the federal government,” said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “In one world, lucrative IT contracts are doled out to a male-dominant industry that has notoriously struggled with gender equity. In the other one, temporary workers who are predominantly women are paid 21% less than what they would make in a permanent position doing the exact same work.”

PIPSC analysis shows that temporary work has increased at nearly 4 times faster than permanent staff since 2011. The majority of temporary workers are women, and they become trapped in a cycle of persistent temporary work, defined by low pay, few or no benefits, and high risk of unemployment and labour force exit.

Lucrative IT consultant contracts, however, are awarded to male-dominated tech giants like IBM, Veritaaq or Randstad. Only 2 out of 10 IT consultants in Ottawa-Gatineau are women, and they are paid about $13,000 less per year than their male counterparts. On average, members of equity-seeking groups are paid about $9,700 less when they work for the government as IT consultants.

Despite the commitments to building a feminist economy and despite the promises to control the runaway cost of outsourcing, the government has created a shadow public service that plays by an entirely different set of rules: they are not hired based on merit, representation, fairness or transparency; they are not subject to budget restraints or hiring freezes; and they are not accountable to the Canadian public.

“Outsourcing means higher cost, lower quality services for Canadians – less transparency, less accountability, and the loss of institutional knowledge and skills,” said Daviau. “Today’s report shows us that it also undermines Canada’s commitment to a representative public service. The only solution is to end the government’s over-reliance on outsourcing.”

Read the full report Outsourcing and Gender Equity here: https://pipsc.ca/news-issues/outsourcing/part-two-outsourcing-and-gender-equity

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For further information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca

OTTAWA, June 5, 2020 – The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), is calling on the Ontario government to fix the glaring errors with their pandemic pay plan, and include front-line Radiation Therapists treating vulnerable patients in Ontario’s Cancer Centres throughout the pandemic.

“We are extremely proud of our radiation therapists working on the front lines during this pandemic,” said President Debi Daviau. They have been exposed to COVID-19 in their workplaces. They’re risking their lives — and the lives of their families.”

Just like other healthcare workers deemed eligible for pandemic pay, radiation therapists are subject to the same requirements of the Ontario state of emergency. They are essential workers who cannot refuse to treat patients who are suspected or confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. They are taking all precautions possible including constant use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 

The Ontario Hospital Association, many hospital CEOs, and employer and employee organizations have called for the pandemic pay to be expanded to all front-line hospital workers, but those pleas to the Ford government have gone unanswered.

“This isn’t just about the pay,” said Daviau. “It’s also a matter of respect and recognition for the critical services provided by these workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Cancer patients are a vulnerable population during this pandemic. The decision is beyond disappointing and upsetting for our members who have continued to treat at risk patients throughout this crisis. They deserve the same recognition as the other professionals in the hospitals who have been granted the pay.”

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada, including radiation therapists at Juravinski Cancer Centre, Walker Family Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook, Thunder Bay and Windsor facilities. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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For further information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca