Update from the President of PAFSO for March 6, 2026

Dear Members,

 Happy March everyone. For those of us in Ottawa and northern areas, I hope this means that spring is on the way. Daylight savings time in Canada starts this weekend giving us all a bit more light in the evenings, along with the warmer temperatures, I hope this will give us all a mental boost after a long difficult winter.

Work Force Adjustment

I realize that many people are still concerned about the outcome of the WFA process at GAC. Please note that the deadline for Voluntary Departure has now been extended to March 31 so members who received affected letters now have nearly 2 weeks longer to assess your options before making a final decision. Once again, we recommend you speak with the Employer or your manager to better understand the full implications of voluntary departure. After March 31 you will not be able to change your mind, either to revoke your VDP request, nor to decide to take it if you missed the deadline.

Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)

We know that some members have expressed interest in the ERI. Despite not yet being passed by Parliament, the employer has published a webpage with information on how the program would function should it come to pass. It appears to be moving forward in Parliament, but no firm date of confirmation has been declared.

Collective Bargaining

On Monday, March 2nd, I served notice to bargain to the Employer. This effectively freezes the provisions of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, which expires in June, in place until we sign a new one. We expect negotiations to begin sometime in the fall.

Stay tuned for a PAFSO breakfast in early April, where our Head of the Bargaining Committee will share more information with members about the process and rules surrounding the rights of the employer and PAFSO during the bargaining period.

The Situation in the Middle East

The recent developments in the Middle East with the US attacks on Iran are obviously concerning, particularly to our members stationed in the region. We are in contact with management to ensure that you and your families receive the support you need during this chaotic time. As a reminder, resources are available through the EAP program, and you can always reach out to the PAFSO office.

New Deputy Ministers

For those who have not seen the Prime Minister’s announcement, there have been some major changes at the Deputy Minister level in both IRCC and GAC.

• Glenn Purves, Global Head of Macro Research, BlackRock Investment Institute, becomes Deputy Minister of International Trade.
• Arun Thangaraj, Deputy Minister of Transport, becomes Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Cynthia (Cindy) Termorshuizen, Deputy Minister for the G7 Summit and Personal Representative of the Prime Minister (Sherpa) for the G7 and G20 Summits, Privy Council Office, becomes Deputy Minister of International Development.
• Ted Gallivan, Interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, becomes Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
• David Angell, Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, Privy Council Office, becomes Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

We look forward to working with the new DMs, and with our former Deputies in their new capacities, including David Morrison, who will now be Senior Diplomatic and International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister. You can read my additional comments on the appointments and their implications for GAC and IRCC to the Hill Times here https://archive.ph/78mS2

Amb Canada Authors Event: In Person and Online

Amb Canada is hosting their annual hybrid event featuring authors associated with Canada’s Foreign Service. The program will showcase a diverse and engaging selection of books, with some authors joining in person and others participating online.

The event will take place on March 17, 2026, at Beechwood Cemetery. Those attending in person are invited to arrive at 9:30 AM for coffee and book sales. The author presentations will run from 10:00 to 11:00 AM and will be live-streamed, followed by a Q & A session.

Advance registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance, Information on the authors an books included can be found here.

International Women’s Day (IWD) – March 8

International Women’s Day (IWD) has been around for over a hundred years, since 1911. This year’s theme is Give to Gain. The theme encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration and emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. The 2024 PAFSO Triennial survey showed that 55% of our members identified as female with the largest cadre being found in the International Assistance stream, at 70%. 65% of young officers (under 35) identified as female, and of those who responded, 47% are married (vs 78% of men) 37% have at least one dependent under 18.

We know our members are doing amazing work at home and abroad to advance the interests of women and girls and we celebrate the progress made in advancing women’s rights and highlight the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society. You can read more about IWD at the official site.

Some links to familiarize yourself with women’s progress in Canada, can be found here.