Dear members,
Happy Easter to all who celebrate and I hope everyone enjoys their long weekend. It has been a busy couple of weeks for many of us.
Update on Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
First, some good news: the Voluntary Departure Period (VDP) for affected FS at GAC came to a close on March 31, 2026, and, as of this morning, it looked like the department should meet its target for FS03 reductions without a SERLO. We’re working to confirm this information and will update our website including on the members’ section.
GAC has distributed an email to some affected employees noting important information on next steps. I have reproduced some of it below for ease of reference, and for those that may not have received it:
Employees whose VDP applications are approved will receive a formal letter of confirmation, as well as further instructions about next steps, before the end of April 2026.
dates.
The prescribed departure windows:
- May 15 to September 15, 2026, for employees at HQ.
- June 15 to September 15, 2026, for employees ending assignments abroad in 2026.
- June 15, 2027, to September 15, 2027, for employees who wish to remain in their ongoing assignments abroad until 2027.
FS-04s who do not participate in the VDP will receive an opting letter. At this time, no specific date has been set for the issuance of opting letters for the work unit. There are several factors at play, including achieving CER targets, meeting the operational needs of the department and fairness to all employees. In any case, GAC expects the opting letters to be issued before summer 2027. You will be informed of the specific timelines for opting letters and corresponding departure windows for your work unit in due course.
Members with additional questions 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.
I’m also working to raise our concerns about the elimination of the FS04 cadre, as well as the overall cuts to Canada’s diplomatic toolkit, with the Canadian public. You can listen to my latest interview on CBC Ottawa Morning here:
Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)
Now that the Budget Implementation Act 2025 has received Royal Assent, more information on the program is available here.
It is important to remember that even if you meet the criteria for ERI, the Deputy Heads have discretion on whether to accept an employee’s request to depart under the program and there is no guarantee that they will do so.
PAFSO has limited information about ERI, 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.
New Labour Relations Team Lead
PAFSO would like to offer congratulations to Paul Raven who has accepted a new role the Labour Relations Team Leader and Chief Negotiator.
Paul has been a strong member advocate at PAFSO on labour relations, FSDs, and in collective bargaining. He served as Acting Team Leader in the past and will be a great asset to the team in his new role.
As always, if you have questions about a labour relations issue, contact PAFSO at info@pafso.com and your issue will be assigned to one of our labour relations officers who can provide advice and guidance.
REMINDER – PAFSO Breakfast with author Christy Climenhage on April 14 at 0900 Ottawa time
Please join me for our next virtual PAFSO Breakfast with our friend and colleague Christy Climenhage, author of the science fiction novel The Midnight Project. Christy and I will discuss the links between her writing and foreign service careers as well as the inspiration behind her book, which has been described as “an intimate story that raises big questions: what it means to be human in spite of our fallibilities, and what we owe to the world and to ourselves in the face of devastation.”
It promises to be a great discussion and I hope you will register here to join us.
Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN) Mixer – April 15, 1700 – 1900
The Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN), in collaboration with PAFSO, invites members of the Foreign Service community and their partners to an informal evening of connection and conversation on April 15 from 1700-1900. Join us at the Caesar Co, 189 Lyon St. Ottawa, to meet others, expand your network, and share experiences – the challenges, rewards, and unique perspectives that come with being part of a Foreign Service family. The first round of drinks and snacks will be sponsored by PAFSO, followed by a cash bar.
Everyone is welcome but space is limited, so please register here to secure your spot and get updates from the organizers.
Continued Conflict in the Middle East
Finally, as the conflict continues unabated in the Middle East, we are thinking of members and their families, especially those facing danger in the region. Although the focus is understandably on our consular teams and those who are supporting them, many more of you are involved in the efforts and/or affected by this situation. This is one of the realities of foreign service life that is not always recognized.
Many of you, including those at headquarters and those who have been evacuated from post, have been working long hours under difficult conditions for weeks. We have heard from you about the pressures you are facing. PAFSO continues to remind the Employer of its obligation to 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.
Please don’t forget that further counselling and support is available to you through the Employee Assistance Program at GAC or IRCC.
AMBCanada Luncheon and Talk (live streamed) with Jim Mitchell – April 14, 2026
The title of the talk is A New Blueprint for Reshaping Government and the Public Service:
Is Carney On the Right Track? Jim Mitchell will draw on insights from his recent book, co-authored with Kevin G. Lynch: A New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the PMO, and the Public Service, in assessing whether the Carney government is on the right track in their approach to reshaping government and the public service.
Jim is a former public servant and consultant with experience in the Privy Council Office, the Department of External Affairs, and the Treasury Board Secretariat. Rob McRae, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to NATO, and former Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Intelligence Assessment in PCO, will moderate this timely discussion.
The event will take place Tuesday, April 14, 2026 between 11:30 am and 2:00 pm at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club. You can register to participate in person or on-line. There is a fee for the luncheon, however the livestream is free. The deadline for registering for the luncheon is Wednesday, March 8.
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