Today we join with workers and unions across the world in celebration of the accomplishments and resistance of workers! In that light, and as the ongoing struggle with Phoenix persists, PIPSC is demanding action from the Federal Government.

In a recent survey, 46% of Canadians say six months is a “reasonable time to wait” yet PIPSC members have been waiting well beyond that timeline. That number rises dramatically to nearly 9 out of 10 Canadians (88%) when one includes those who believe two years or less is a reasonable time to wait.

“We’ve already waited well over two years for a solution,” said PIPSC President Debi Daviau. “Now that the government has committed to finding an alternative, it needs to speed up implementation of those alternatives. Our members can’t wait another two years.”

Tens of thousands of federal employees  are still struggling with errors due to Phoenix that have left them paid too little, too much or, too often, not at all. PIPSC is continuing to push for timely implementation of an alternative system. “As an active partner in finding a new system as soon as possible, we intend to push for alternatives to be tried as quickly as possible,” added Daviau, referring to the working partnership announced in June between PIPSC and the federal government.

PIPSC is strongly advocating for the implementation of the Corporate Administrative System (CAS). This program is currently being used by the CRA and CBSA and can be readily updated to a full-fledged payroll system.

 “We believe the CAS system can be adapted and brought online much more quickly than the government’s current (and vague) timelines for implementing an alternative system,” said Daviau. “That would ensure at least 55,000 CRA and CBSA employees could be removed from the Phoenix pay system and paid through a new, much more reliable system sooner.  The government needs to speed up implementation of viable alternatives now. Our members can’t wait.”

PIPSC is pushing the government to start building a replacement to Phoenix now! 

Join us by clicking the link below to fill out an easy, one-step form that will send an email to your Member of Parliament and the Treasury Board Council Committee:

http://action.pipsc.ca/we_deserve_better

In accordance with By-Laws 20.3, 20.4, 21.4, and 21.5, there have been several changes in the composition of the Board of Directors due to a leave of absence and resignations.

Sean O’Reilly, Acting Vice-President (Full-Time) while Shannon Bittman is on a leave of absence.

Nancy McCune, Acting Vice-President (Part-Time) following Shirley Friesen’s resignation in June 2018.

Gordon Bulmer, Acting Director, National Capital Region, after Del Dickson’s recent resignation.

Brian Hassall, Acting Director, National Capital Region, while Sean O’Reilly is Acting Vice-President.

Robert Trudeau, Acting Director, Prairie/Northwest Territories Region, as a result of Nancy McCune becoming Acting Vice-President (Part-Time) in July 2018.

With some regret, the Institute has accepted Del Dickson’s resignation as NCR Director on the PIPSC Board of Directors.

PIPSC would like to thank Mr. Dickson for his 5.5 years as NCR Director as well as his years as a dedicated Steward and Legacy Foundation Director and Champion.

We are certain that he will continue to provide the same level of dedication, professionalism and hard work to future endeavours.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) is delighted with the announcement that the federal government accepts the model Scientific Integrity policy originally proposed by our members and amended through subsequent consultation.  This process has been a successful example of collaboration between the office of the Chief Science Advisor, the Treasury Board Secretariat and PIPSC.

This announcement represents the culmination of over three years’ work by federal scientists (our members) in promoting scientific research and evidence-based policy within government.

By adopting the provisions of the model Scientific Integrity policy, federal departments and agencies that employ 10 or more scientists can soon look forward to more specific policies that ensure:

• all federal scientific activities meet applicable standards of scientific excellence
• all scientific research, products and their communication are free from political, commercial and stakeholder interference
• research and information is released in a timely manner
• the contributions of scientists are accurately represented and acknowledged
• any conflicts of interest are avoided or, at least, reported
• differing interpretations of research and scientific evidence are made explicit and accurately represented
• meaningful contributions by researchers and scientists to government programs, policies, regulations, and decision-making are acknowledged, and
• any breaches of these scientific integrity principles are reported to management.

By adopting the model policy, federal scientists and their departments recognize that scientific integrity is an integral part of their work and that ensuring it is the responsibility of all employees and vital to the decision-making process of the public administration.

Together with the right of federal scientists to speak freely about science and their research, recently negotiated as part of collective agreements with the federal government, adoption of the model Scientific Integrity policy represents an enormous step forward for science in the public interest and the federal scientists who undertake it.

You can read the entire policy here.

Debi Daviau
President

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Frances Goodspeed, the first woman president of PIPSC (1961-1962) on June 27, 2018. 

An internationally renowned Chemist, Frances Goodspeed chaired a committee that produced a master 25-year plan for Institute offices. This plan resulted in the construction of the first-ever Institute-owned office building at 786 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa.

A trailblazer for women in the federal public service, Ms. Goodspeed served 20 years at Energy, Mines and Resources.

When she was promoted to Director of Operations at the Public Service Staff Relations Board, she became one of only 28 women in the executive category of the public service. 

During her retirement, she sat on the Board of the Victorian Order of Nurses.

An award-winning nature and wildlife photographer, Frances Goodspeed travelled widely, and made many trips to the Arctic and Antarctic.

The Institute extends its condolences to Frances Goodspeed’s family and to the many friends and colleagues who were privileged to know her.

Condolences and memories can be expressed online.

http://ottawacitizen.remembering.ca/obituary/frances-goodspeed-1066831938

The Institute’s Legacy Foundation would like to remind you that the deadline to submit a scholarship application is July 13, 2018.

In 2018, the Foundation will award the following scholarships:

Through the Sponsors’ Series

• One $5,000 scholarships
• fifteen $1,500 scholarships

Through the Founders’ Series

• two $1,500 scholarships
• two $1,000 scholarships
• one $500 scholarship

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be children or grandchildren of Regular or Retired members in good standing or members who were in good standing at the time of their death. Children or grandchildren of Rand deductees are not eligible.

Applicants must be entering their first year of post-secondary education in autumn 2018 in a full-time post-secondary program at an educational institution (including cégeps) in Canada or outside Canada.

Evaluation

The basis of selection is the same for all scholarships. Only one scholarship will be awarded to each of the chosen candidates.

Applications will be evaluated by an impartial selection panel using these factors:

1. Academic achievement (transcript of marks).
2. Summary of candidate’s leadership ability and community service involvement, including a minimum of 2 letters of reference (e.g. student council, tutoring, coach or assistant coach, other volunteer activities).
3. Essay of 750-1000 words on "professionalism". A suggested topic is "What does it mean to be a professional in your career?" but other specific topics on professionalism are welcomed. Essays will be judged on content, grammar, spelling, organization and presentation.
4. Typed statement by the candidate outlining future education and career goals and indicating why the candidate deserves a scholarship. This statement will be evaluated on content, grammar, spelling, organization and presentation of goals.

More information and an official application form can be obtained at www.pipsc.ca/legacy or by email scholarship@pipsc.ca.

Application Procedure

A complete application must include:

• Official scholarship application form (available at www.pipsc.ca/portal/page/portal/website/legacy/scholarship/app_form)
• A copy of the official transcript of marks from the learning institution most recently attended.
• A statement outlining future education and career goals and indicating why the candidate deserves a scholarship.
• A statement about the candidate’s leadership abilities and community service involvement with supporting evidence, including a minimum of 2 reference letters.
• A 750-1000 word essay on professionalism.

Please submit the application with your supporting documents by email to scholarship@pipsc.ca or by mail or fax to:

Evaluation Committee
The Professional Institute
Legacy Foundation
250 Tremblay Road Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 3J8
Telephone: (613) 228-6310 / 1-800-267-0446
Fax: (613) 228-9048 / 1-800-465-7477

All applicants, successful or otherwise, will be notified by the Evaluation Committee.

Awards will be applicable to the academic year commencing in September 2018. The successful candidates will be notified by mid-September 2018.

A cheque will be forwarded to the successful applicant once confirmation of enrollment in a post-secondary institution is received.

Please note that the Foundation may use photos and names of recipients in promotional material.

On Thursday, May 24, 2018, you received an email from the PIPSC eMail Migration Team with a unique 6-digit temporary password. Regrettably, Google requires a minimum 8-character password. As such, we have now added 99 at the end of each password previously sent out.

You can access your temporary password in Groupwise: https://gw8.pipsc.ca/gw/webacc

You will be able to access your new Gmail account here:

https://accounts.google.com/signin

Username: < your @pipsc.ca email address >

Temporary password: original 6 digit password with 99 added at the end

If you have any issues connecting to Gmail, please contact PIPSC support by email: informatics@pipsc.ca or by phone: 1-800-267-0446   

Thank you,
 
PIPSC eMail Migration Team

Fellow Members,

Next month’s election in Ontario is vital. As public service professionals, it’s important that we think about which parties are going to increase public services and which ones are going to decrease them. When it comes to making the lives of Ontario children, seniors, families, and our members better, that matters. Because more and better public health care, child care, education and jobs make the difference between communities that are strong, healthy, and vibrant ... and those that aren’t.

Your vote matters. You already know how important your work can be to the lives of others. That’s why I want to urge you to be sure to vote on June 7 – and to vote for public services.

You can make a pledge to vote for public services by visiting: https://action.pipsc.ca/vote_for_public_services. We’ll be sure to remind you to vote closer to election day.

To learn more and ensure you are registered to vote, please visit Elections Ontario.

Better Together!
Debi Daviau
President

On behalf of PIPSC members, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Chris Aylward as newly elected National President for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). I look forward to continued work with President Aylward on issues of joint significance to our members. When PIPSC and PSAC work together we achieve great things and I know our successful collaboration will continue with President Aylward’s strong leadership.

I would also like to congratulate Magali Picard, who has been elected National Executive Vice President, and Sharon DeSousa, elected as Alternative National Executive Vice President. I look forward to working with these two exceptional leaders.

In closing, I wish a happy retirement to outgoing National President Robyn Benson and express a big PIPSC thank you for her passionate leadership and achievements for federal public employees. 

Better Together!
Debi Daviau
President