Dear members,
As we near the beginning of summer and start to prepare for the posting season and summer holidays, there is still a lot going on at PAFSO. While we wait to establish an official signing date for the ratified collective agreement, we’re working on a number of other issues. Here are some updates.
Launch of GAC’s Future of Diplomacy discussion paper
Last week, Minister Joly held a town hall with Global Affairs Canada staff to present the Future of Diplomacy discussion paper, which calls for a major revamp of the department to address fears that it has become too risk-averse, headquarters-centric, and complacent, and has not prioritized country-specific expertise as much as it should. The discussion paper also promises a significant overhaul of human resources to address serious retention and recruitment problems.
Members of PAFSO are very familiar with these issues, which have been in place since 1981’s MacDougall report. We welcome the discussion around the GAC initiative, as well as the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee’s Study of the Canadian Foreign Service, and look forward to the implementation plan, which has been promised for 1 September. At that point, we hope to see significant resources and concrete action steps to make the changes we have long known we need.
In case you missed it, you can read more of my views, along with those of Dan Livermore of the Foreign Service Alumni Forum, in discussion with Christopher Nagy of the National Post here.
Preparations for the cyclical review of the Foreign Service Directives
We were particularly pleased to see the recognition of the need for reform of the Foreign Service Directives in GAC’s Future of Diplomacy discussion paper. We hope this will make the upcoming cyclical review process easier and more productive for all concerned.
As promised in my last message, I presented the priorities that emerged from our membership survey and consultations (economic erosion of the provisions, the lack of flexibility in the coverage they offer, gaps in support for spouses and families, travel provisions, and supports to members and dependents with disabilities) to the Executive Committee this week. I’m pleased to report that they granted PAFSO’s representatives on the NJC FSD Committee a mandate to centre these overarching themes in the upcoming review process.
We’ve set up a consultation wiki on myPAFSO, where we will be sharing documents related to the Cyclical Review. There you can find our initial, comprehensive draft list of more than 200 specific proposals, and I will soon be posting my draft discussion paper. We welcome your comments to info@pafso.com.
For more on the FSDs and the Cyclical Review, please check out the recording of this week’s PAFSO Breakfast with PAFSO technical advisor and NJC FSD Committee Bargaining Agent Lead, Paul Raven.
PAFSO Indigenous Mentorship Initiative (PIMI)
As part of our ongoing commitment to Reconciliation, and as mentioned at last year’s AGM, we are looking for PAFSO members willing to mentor Indigenous university students or recent graduates interested in FS careers. Mentors can be from any FS career stream at any stage of their career and can participate from anywhere in the world. Mentors can be Indigenous or non-Indigenous, Anglophone or francophone. We currently could benefit from additional Indigenous (whether self-identifying or not) and francophone mentors.
- Prior to being matched with a student mentee, mentors need to complete a learning path of Canada School of Public Service self-paced courses on Indigenous history and issues as well as some training in mentoring. The self-paced learning commitment is approximately 12 hours, to be completed ideally by late August or early September.
- Mentors will attend an event in September to review program expectations, review mentorship skills and tools, and set up next steps for mentors.
- Interested mentors may be called upon to participate in webinars for Indigenous students that provide information about foreign service life and work and introduce PIMI.
- Students who apply for the program by October 31st will be matched with a mentor. In November, mentees will be invited to a kick-off event to outline the program, which will include learning and networking events for mentees.
- Once matched with a mentee, mentors will connect regularly with mentees at mutually agreed times and durations and provide career guidance & exploration, motivation, support, and role modelling while advocating for the mentee.
- The mentorship commitment is for one cycle, from November until early summer but may be extended.
PIMI was founded on the values of Reconciliation, Renewal and Respect. It’s ultimate purpose is to attract more Indigenous people to the foreign service: Bringing All of Canada to the World Stage.
Mentors will benefit from developing increased intercultural competencies, contributing to Reconciliation, and making a positive impact on mentees lives.
If you would like to volunteer or simply learn more, please reach out to William Dunlop via info@pafso.com.
Critical Path to the October AGM and Executive Committee vacancies
Even though it’s only June, and still spring, we’re already starting to think about our upcoming Annual General Meeting, which will take place virtually on Monday, 23 October at 1600 Ottawa time. A formal announcement of the date, along with a notice of the vacancies for the Executive Committee and the call for nominations for the Randy Orr Memorial Award, will be issued in mid-July.
This year, we will have a total of eleven open positions on the Executive Committee. While I’m hoping that many of our current dedicated team members will choose to return, some cannot, and so this offers an excellent opportunity for us to get some new blood and fresh perspectives in the group. In particular, we would welcome the participation of francophone members and colleagues who have lived experience of navigating spousal employment issues.
The Executive Committee is the main decision-making body of PAFSO between Annual General Meetings and offers an excellent opportunity to make a concrete difference on issues that affect our community, from collective bargaining to occupational health and safety and professional development. If you think you might be interested, please check out the duties of the Committee under the constitution and consider attending the PAFSO Breakfast at 0900 Ottawa time on 11 July, where I’ll discuss the role of the Committee and the things we expect to be working on next year. You can register for that session here.
Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) transition to Canada Life on July 1, 2023
By now, most of you should have received an invitation to complete positive enrolment from Canada Life, either by email or mail. If not, check your junk email folder. If you cannot find your invitation, call the Canada Life PSHCP Member Contact Centre at 1-855-415-4414 as soon as possible.
The Employer has asked us to remind you that positive enrolment and consent to have claims processed by Canada Life must be completed before July 1, 2023, to ensure there are no disruptions in processing and reimbursing your or your covered dependants’ claims. This is particularly important as you will not be able to complete positive enrolment and send in a claim on the same day. Therefore, complete enrolment by June 30, 2023, to avoid being out of pocket for health claim expenses as of July 1.
Should you have any questions, more information on the transition to Canada Life can be found here.
PAFSO group life insurance updates
Last week you should have received an email from our Insurance Committee announcing a few updates.
The first is a special offer for our newest members. If you joined PAFSO in 2023, you automatically qualify for PAFSO’s minimum life insurance plan. This plan allows members to purchase coverage for themselves and their families while working overseas in high hardship postings. Once again, this offer is only for members who have joined after January 1, 2023, and is valid until June 30. For more information, please contact Marty Johnston at the office.
Also, the latest version on the PAFSO Group Insurance Program booklets is available on our website. Click here to learn more about the plan’s coverage options, or to find out what happens when you retire or leave PAFSO, and to find all the forms you need to apply.
The Springtime 5 à 7 was a success!
Last Thursday’s gathering was a resounding success. Nearly 40 members gathered at the PAFSO offices for drinks and snacks on our rooftop terrace. After literally years of limited in-person social interactions, it was really nice to spend a bit of time with friends and colleagues. Given the positive response, we will likely be having more events like this in the very near future. I will be sure to keep you in the loop.
That about wraps it up for this week’s update. As always, if there’s anything concerning you about your situation at work, make sure to reach out to us. Send us an email with your name, department, and a detailed description of the issues you are facing, and we’ll connect you to one of our Labour Relations Advisors who will be happy to assist you. If you have any other questions, just email info@pafso.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
We’ll talk again in early July. Until then, you can always keep up with what’s happening by checking out my President’s Twitter account. For my take on current issues, politics, and anything that impacts on our profession, follow me at @PafsoPresApase.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
All the best,
Pam Isfeld
President
@PafsoPresApase