News

The President sets out PAFSO’s position on Havana syndrome: affected members deserve to be believed and to receive timely care, fair compensation and accurate threat information. Diplomatic Notes launched October 1 as a free e-book, with print ordering by month’s end. AGM documents for October 19 are posted, and an FS volunteer is sought for IRCC’s health and safety committee.

In this update

• Havana Syndrome: Our Members’ Safety Comes First
• Diplomatic Notes Is Here
• In-Reach With Members in Bucharest and Paris
• Congratulations to Paul Raven
• Volunteer Needed: IRCC Occupational Health and Safety Committee
• Annual General Meeting: Documents Now Available

The Federal Court declined PAFSO’s request for a mandamus order over the troubled PSHCP transition to Canada Life/MSH, but found the employer has a mandatory duty to deliver the plan and that its delay was not justified, findings that support PAFSO’s ongoing policy grievance and human rights complaint. Mentee applications for the PAFSO/CIC mentorship program close September 25.

In this update

• The Court’s ruling on our efforts to compel health care that works
• Collective bargaining
• Public Services Fight Back, and meeting members in Spain
• PAFSO/CIC mentorship program: mentee applications are open (deadline September 25)
• Diplomatic Notes arrives October 1
• Annual General Meeting
• Remembering Annemarie Desloges
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

A new web page, Collective Bargaining: What Members Can Expect, explains that current terms of employment, including pay rates in effect since July 1, 2025, continue during bargaining, and that FS members are prohibited by law from striking. Diplomatic Notes launches October 1 as a free e-book, and the Randy Orr Memorial Award deadline is extended to September 11.

In this update

• PAFSO Staffing Update
• Collective bargaining: a new resource for you
• Request to certify FSD allowances
• Diplomatic Notes arrives October 1
• Reminder: a network for foreign service families
• A new Families Resource Hub
• PAFSO/CIC mentorship program: call for mentors (deadline September 18)
• PAFSO Breakfasts: we’re still taking your ideas

Collective bargaining begins October 6, with the first three days at the table set for October 6, 7 and 8; much of what happens there will remain confidential. Nominations for four ExCom positions and the Randy Orr Memorial Award close Friday, August 28. In The Hill Times, the President argues that economic diplomacy requires far more than trade promotion.

In this update

• Collective Bargaining: dates are set
• PAFSO Breakfasts: we want your ideas
• Annual General Meeting
• Nominations for ExCom close next Friday, August 28
• One week left to nominate someone for the Randy Orr Memorial Award
• PAFSO in the news

After PAFSO intervened with TBS and GAC, GAC confirmed the Ottawa Lycée’s new fees will be covered under the FSDs. PAFSO has filed policy grievances on fertility treatment coverage abroad and on the WFA process for FS-04s at GAC. The AGM is October 19; nominations for four ExCom positions and the Randy Orr Memorial Award close August 28.

In this update

• Nominations for Randy Orr Memorial Award

The remaining FS-04s at headquarters received opting letters on July 2, while those on assignment abroad will receive theirs in early 2027; the ERI application deadline is July 24, 2026. GAC is investigating anomalies in the new hardship ratings, and the 60th anniversary book Diplomatic Notes is expected by mid-September. The AGM is set for October 19.

In this update

• Work Force Adjustment & ERI
• FSD 33 Education Assistance at a Lycée in Canada
• Changes to Hardship Levels at Missions
• PAFSO 60th Anniversary Book
• Save the date—Annual General Meeting 19 October
• PAFSO Breakfast with Steve Chapman of the National Association of Federal Retirees on July 14 at 0900 Ottawa Time
• PAFSO YouTube Channel

PAFSO and the Employer exchanged non-monetary bargaining proposals this week; talks at the table are not expected before September or October, and the President anticipates a difficult round. At the NLMCC meeting at GAC, PAFSO raised concerns about Foreign Service cuts and workloads and pressed for a new employee-side Co-champion for Psychological Well-being.

In this update

• Exchange of Collective Bargaining Proposals
• National Labour-Management Consultation Committee (NLMCC) meeting at GAC
• Webinar on FSDs and Your First Posting – available on YouTube
• Canadian International Council Mentorship Wrap-up Event on June 23: start time changed to *1800**

New hardship levels took effect June 1: PAFSO’s analysis shows 68 posts were updated, with 23 decreasing and 45 increasing. Romy Chérubin has joined the Labour Relations Advisor team. The President reports that proposed Canada Labour Code changes do not immediately affect PAFSO, though similar proposals for the FPSLRA may follow within 18–24 months.

In this update

• New PAFSO Labour Relations Officer
• Changes to Mission Hardship Ratings Calculations
• PAFSO attendance at SUBRAC PSI Meeting – May 27 & 28
• Changes to the Canada Labour Code (CLC)
• AmbCanada–CIPS Conference – June 18
• GAC Check-In – Last Chance
• Reminder: Promoting Self-Identification Questionnaire
• Webinar on FSDs and Your First Posting - June 10 at noon Ottawa time

At the May 12 breakfast, Chief Negotiator Paul Raven set out the bargaining timeline: proposals exchanged in mid-June, negotiations hoped for in early fall and salary talks in winter. GAC has committed to issuing opting letters to the 17 FS-04s who did not choose the VDP before fall 2027. PAFSO cannot discuss one member’s situation with another.

In this update

• Update on Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
• Communications on behalf of colleagues: confidentiality and transparency
• PAFSO Breakfast on Collective Bargaining
• Call for Research Participants on Populism and Diplomacy
• Canadian International Council (CIC) Mentorship Event – May 21
• Webinar on FSDs and Your First Posting June 10 at noon Ottawa time

A PAFSO member won a Public Service Health Care Plan appeal confirming that gender-affirming care covered by provincial plans falls under the Basic Health Care Provision: reimbursed at 100%, with no cap and no country-of-residence limit. GAC will review VDP seniority calculations on request, and members can register for the May 12 collective bargaining breakfast with Chief Negotiator Paul Raven.

In this update

• Update on Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
• Important Victory Regarding PSHCP Coverage for Gender Affirming Care
• PAFSO Breakfast on Collective Bargaining with PAFSO Chief Negotiator Paul Raven
• Social Media Survey
• AmbCanada Luncheon & Talk with Philippe Rheault – May 14
• PAFSO Insurance Program