Dear members,
Here we are in October. Here in the National Capital Region, the leaves are putting on quite the show. It’s a lovely backdrop to what is typically one of our busier months at PAFSO headquarters. Let me bring you up to date.
The 2025 Couchiching Annual Conference
New Executive Director, Dan Whalen and I are just back from attending the 2025 Couchiching Annual Conference on securing Canada’s Atlantic future.
Co-hosted by our friends at the Canadian International Council (CIC) and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, this year’s conference was a high-level strategic dialogue bringing together policymakers, thought leaders, and experts to provide insights into how to navigate Canada’s role in this era of global upheaval. Topics covered represented the defining challenges of our time: shifting alliances, economic security, artificial intelligence, Arctic sovereignty, and foreign interference.
It was great to hear from insightful speakers like former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Globe and Mail columnist, Andrew Coyne. It’s fora like these that remind me of just how important our profession is, not just for Canada and Canadians, but on the larger world stage.
Launch of the 2025–26 CIC/PAFSO mentorship program
We are partnering with our friends at CIC once again to build on last year’s successful pilot and launch the 2025–26 mentorship program. If you are a young or mid-career professional seeking to gain deeper insights and guidance, or if you are a seasoned Foreign Service Officer with years of experience to share, this program is for you. Some of you might fall into both categories as even those of you who have been in the Foreign Service for only a few years can offer valuable experience and insight to a student or someone who is interested in joining. You can sign up and learn more about the mentorship program here on the CIC website. Please don’t miss the application closing date of October 10.
The 2025 Annual General Meeting
On Monday October 20, at 4pm, Ottawa time, PAFSO will be holding its 60th Annual General Meeting. As in previous years, the meeting will be held virtually, via Microsoft Teams, in an effort to make it easy for members outside the NCR to participate.
With all that our profession is facing, from the Comprehensive Expenditure Review, lingering health coverage issues, to the upcoming launch of collective bargaining, this is the best opportunity to discuss the important work that PAFSO has been doing and to get a sense of where the organization is headed for the upcoming year. If you are interested in participating in this year’s meeting, please send an email to agm-aga@pafso-apase.com with your name and department and we will add you to our list of attendees. A formal Teams meeting invitation in the coming weeks.
Immediately following the AGM, we will be announcing the winner of the fourth annual Randy Orr Memorial Award for volunteer service to the FS community. The target start time for the informal virtual ceremony is 1745, so please plan to stay with us to hear about the inspiring work of our community members.
PAFSO Breakfast: Issues before the AGM
Please join me on Tuesday 14 October at 900, Ottawa time, for a PAFSO Virtual Breakfast previewing various important issues that will be before our Annual General Meeting at the end of this month. This discussion will touch on the many issues currently facing our members from the Comprehensive Expenditure Review to possible Work Force Adjustments, as well as PAFSO’s priorities in the lead up to next year’s negotiations. You can register for the session here.
AMBCANADA-PAFSO Deborah Chatsis Indigenous Scholarship in International Affairs
And, finally, as this past Tuesday was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I wanted to remind everyone about the Deborah Chatsis Indigenous Scholarship established a few years ago by PAFSO and our friends at AMBCANADA. This is an important initiative to help ensure that Indigenous peoples are properly represented in Canada’s Foreign Service. You can learn more about the scholarship, or make a contribution here on the Carleton University website.
And that’s it. Now you’re up to date. Like I said, we are very busy just ahead of our AGM in a few weeks. Based on the emails we have received so far, I think it’s going to be a very well attended meeting. If you think you will be able to join us on Monday October 20, just let us know.
My next message to you will be on October 17th. Between now and then, should you have any concerns at work, do not hesitate to reach out to us. That’s what we’re here for. Are you having issues with your pay? Do you feel harassed or discriminated against? Do you have a grievance or a staffing complaint? Or do you just want some clarifications on our collective agreement or the FSDs? Whatever the case, PAFSO is here for you. Just send us an email with your name, department and a detailed description of your concerns. For anything and everything else, please send us an email at info@pafso.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
All the best,
Pam Isfeld
President