Dear members,
I hope everyone had a restful holiday over the Easter weekend and feel more refreshed now that spring seems to finally be arriving in Ottawa—and hopefully elsewhere.
Update on Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
I understand that acceptance letters to some of those who put their names forward for voluntary departure are starting to be issued. There were more FS-03s who came forward for departure than the quota the department had set of 50. As a result, the acceptance of a voluntary departure is based on years of service, and the Employer has indicated that acceptance letters should be issued by the end of April. The good news is that GAC will not need to conduct a SERLO for this group.
Similarly, FS-04 who have chosen VDP have begun to receive their acceptance letters also.
Members with questions or concerns should reach out to RDE-WFA@international.gc.ca for additional information. We will continue to follow up with the employer to confirm the above information and report on further developments. Please keep an eye on our members’ section for the latest updates.
Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)
The period to apply for ERI has begun for employees who received their eligibility letters over the past few weeks. The deadline to apply is July 24, 2026. PAFSO has limited information about the ERI program, and we recommend that you book a counselling appointment to speak with someone in the Pension Centre or call directly at 1-800-561-7930, to get detailed information applicable to your individual situation.
PAFSO Insurance Program
The PAFSO Insurance Committee has asked me to remind everyone of the programs available to members. It’s especially important that you examine your insurance plan before you leave on posting to ensure you have the best coverage for you and your family. Members can also take advantage of member discounts with Service Plus, specialized home and auto insurance for foreign service members, and PAFSO’s own life insurance program. Please visit PAFSO programs for more information.
Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN) Mixer
PAFSO was pleased to co-sponsor the Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN) mixer held on April 15. It was a great opportunity for everyone to share experiences and for me to meet with our members and family members and hear their perspectives on life in the Foreign Service. Thanks to everyone who came out despite the rain, and we hope the next event will have more cooperative weather. You can register to be a member of the organization here.
PAFSO Breakfast with FS author Christy Climenhage
Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of hosting a PAFSO breakfast discussion with our FS friend and colleague, Christy (Christine) Climenhage, author of the near future science fiction novel The Midnight Project. We had a lively discussion ranging from her creative inspiration to the realities of the publishing process and the challenges of becoming a published author while working as an FS.
If you missed it, you can check out the recording here on our YouTube channel].
Continued Conflict in the Middle East
Finally, as the conflict continues in the Middle East, we are thinking of members and their families, especially those facing danger in the region, and those who have been evacuated. Although the focus is understandably on our consular teams and those who are supporting them, many of you, at headquarters and abroad, have taken part in Canada’s response, and been working long hours under difficult conditions for many weeks. although we were pleased to see this week’s message from GAC’s deputy ministers, which mentioned the work you are doing on less visible aspects of the crisis from tracking its impact on supply chains to producing communications products, delivering humanitarian assistance and mobilizing corporate resources in support of the response These are elements of the work of the foreign service that are not always recognized
We are continuing to hear from you about the pressures you are facing, and we are transmitting your concerns to the Employer. Under our collective agreement and applicable legislation, they must take all reasonable measures to protect your health and safety as you serve Canada and Canadians. Our Labour Relations team is available to discuss your situation if you believe it is being handed in an unsafe, unfair, or discriminatory manner.
Also, don’t forget that further counselling and support is available to you through the Employee Assistance Program at GAC or IRCC.
As always, should you have any other 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. You can click here to learn more about all the member services PAFSO has to offer. 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, please take care of yourselves and each other.
Pamela Isfeld
President of PAFSO