Heritage Canada
Coop Programs in the Public Service

The federal Government encourages university students to engage in valuable learning assignments available in the public service thereby bridging the distance between academia and practical work experience. Although students are not to be used as cheap labor, they are designated as « coop » or « trainee » workers who do not receive the same rights and benefits as employees. The Public Service supports learning assignments for foreign post-secondary students who are legally entitled to work in Canada when mutual arrangements exist for Canadian students in the country of the foreign student. International students must not take precedence over Canadian students. Furthermore, International students can only work for the equivalent of twelve months of full-time work.

Finance Canada
Future Labor Market Trends

The economic outlook is optimistic for the mining, oil and gas industry. According to the Action Plan, the federal government will invest $650 billion in resource project within this industry. The scale of these projects, along with forecasted retirement and attrition rates will increase the demand for labor.

Human Resources
Feedback Questionnaire

After your participation in the information session regarding performance evaluations in the Public Service of Canada, we ask you to fill out the evaluation questionnaire of your own volition (link provided) to enable us to improve our training modules. All responses will remain confidential and are protected by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Thank-you for your feedback. Please complete the questionnaire in the next two business days. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources using this link:
Evaluations@csps-efpc.gc.ca

Treasury Board Assessment

The Treasury Board portfolio reported that ESDC generally ensures the requirement for diversity and respect for employee rights; however, it does not follow its timelines in the areas of classification and compensation.

Department of Justice
Spousal Support

Under the Federal Divorce Act, spousal support is most probably to be paid if there is a big difference between the spouses’ incomes after the separation although this is not always the case. The court may decide that the lower income spouse is not entitled to support if that spouse has substantial assets or if the difference in income is not due to anything that transpired during the relationship.

Service Canada
Applying for a Job: Cover Letter Tips

The purpose of a cover letter is to favorably capture the interest of a potential employer. Each cover letter must be customized for a particular position in a company; moreover, it should be clear, concise and professionally written. The following tips will help ensure a professional document:
– Remember to state the title of the job for which you are applying. Include the reference
number and the file number.
– Appropriately address your letter to the employer or the administrator referenced in the advertisement.
– Do not assume the gender or the status of the recruiter.
– Frame your skill set and experience in terms of the company’s
mission statement and state why you would prove an asset.

These steps will help you in drafting your cover letter.

Service Canada
Applying for a Job: Cover Letter Tips

The purpose of a cover letter is to favorably capture the interest of a potential employer. Each cover letter must be customized for a particular position in a company; moreover, it should be clear, concise and professionally written. The following tips will help ensure a professional document:
– Remember to state the title of the job for which you are applying. Include the reference
number and the file number.
– Appropriately address your letter to the employer or the administrator referenced in the advertisement.
– Do not assume the gender or the status of the recruiter.
– Frame your skill set and experience in terms of the company’s
mission statement and state why you would prove an asset.

These steps will help you in drafting your cover letter.

Service Canada memo
Loss of Personal I.D. / Wallet

If you lose your wallet, you must cancel and replace all credit cards and government issued identification. When you receive your replacement cards, you should photocopy them and store them in a secure pace. Moreover, the photocopies will help in the subsequent loss of a wallet, etc.

Procedure following theft of wallet or personal information:
1. Contact Bank
Contact your banks or financial institutions and report your missing cards.

2. Contact Local Authorities
In case your wallet is turned in, contact your local police department.

Service Canada memo
Loss of Personal I.D. / Wallet

If you lose your wallet, you must cancel and replace all credit cards and government issued identification. When you receive your replacement cards, you should photocopy them and store them in a secure pace. Moreover, the photocopies will help in the subsequent loss of a wallet, etc.

Procedure following theft of wallet or personal information:
1. Contact Bank
Contact your banks or financial institutions and report your missing cards.

2. Contact Local Authorities
In case your wallet is turned in, contact your local police department.

Service Canada memo
Loss of Personal I.D. / Wallet

If you lose your wallet, you must cancel and replace all credit cards and government issued identification. When you receive your replacement cards, you should photocopy them and store them in a secure pace. Moreover, the photocopies will help in the subsequent loss of a wallet, etc.

Procedure following theft of wallet or personal information:
1. Contact Bank
Contact your banks or financial institutions and report your missing cards.

2. Contact Local Authorities
In case your wallet is turned in, contact your local police department.

Public Service Language Requirements

Every job within the public Service has a designated language requirement. Some occupations are unilingual, requiring either French or English; Other jobs are bilingual which require both English and French. In order to ascertain whether an applicant meets the language requirements of a bilingual position, a language test must be taken. Tests have a reading, writing and an oral component with an A, B, C or E rating. The outcome achieved is rated as A (beginner), B (intermediate), C (advanced) or E (exempted). An exemption means the person never needs to be tested again. For example, if a would -be manager applies for a CCC level position, they must achieve a C level in reading, writing and oral competence.

Public Service Language Requirements

Every job within the public Service has a designated language requirement. Some occupations are unilingual, requiring either French or English; Other jobs are bilingual which require both English and French. In order to ascertain whether an applicant meets the language requirements of a bilingual position, a language test must be taken. Tests have a reading, writing and an oral component with an A, B, C or E rating. The outcome achieved is rated as A (beginner), B (intermediate), C (advanced) or E (exempted). An exemption means the person never needs to be tested again. For example, if a would -be manager applies for a CCC level position, they must achieve a C level in reading, writing and oral competence.

Public Service Language Requirements

Every job within the public Service has a designated language requirement. Some occupations are unilingual, requiring either French or English; Other jobs are bilingual which require both English and French. In order to ascertain whether an applicant meets the language requirements of a bilingual position, a language test must be taken. Tests have a reading, writing and an oral component with an A, B, C or E rating. The outcome achieved is rated as A (beginner), B (intermediate), C (advanced) or E (exempted). An exemption means the person never needs to be tested again. For example, if a would -be manager applies for a CCC level position, they must achieve a C level in reading, writing and oral competence.

Translation Bureau:
Machine Translation

Machine Translation: Friend or Foe? Why does machine translation scare us?
Although it produces revisable drafts, it does not provide deliverable translations, hence the trepidation. Thirty years ago, some translation companies required their translators to translate 300 words per day. In today’s post-modern world, the pace has substantially increased. Consequently, machine translations are an ally, not competition.

NCC Official Languages Program

The National Capital Commission’s Official Language Program entails three objectives:
– Members of the public must be able to communicate and receive services
from the NCC in the official language of their choice
– NCC employees must be allowed to work in the official language of their choice
– The NCC’s workforce composition must include the full participation of both
English and French speaking Canadians

Finance Canada
Future Labor Market Trends

The economic outlook is optimistic for the mining, oil and gas industry. According to the Action Plan, the federal government will invest $650 billion in resource project within this industry. The scale of these projects, along with forecasted retirement and attrition rates will increase the demand for labor.

Heritage Canada
Coop Programs in the Public Service

The federal Government encourages university students to engage in valuable learning assignments available in the public service thereby bridging the distance between academia and practical work experience. Although students are not to be used as cheap labor, they are designated as « coop » or « trainee » workers who do not receive the same rights and benefits as employees. The Public Service supports learning assignments for foreign post-secondary students who are legally entitled to work in Canada when mutual arrangements exist for Canadian students in the country of the foreign student. International students must not take precedence over Canadian students. Furthermore, International students can only work for the equivalent of twelve months of full-time work.

Heritage Canada
Coop Programs in the Public Service

The federal Government encourages university students to engage in valuable learning assignments available in the public service thereby bridging the distance between academia and practical work experience. Although students are not to be used as cheap labor, they are designated as « coop » or « trainee » workers who do not receive the same rights and benefits as employees. The Public Service supports learning assignments for foreign post-secondary students who are legally entitled to work in Canada when mutual arrangements exist for Canadian students in the country of the foreign student. International students must not take precedence over Canadian students. Furthermore, International students can only work for the equivalent of twelve months of full-time work.

Department of Justice
Spousal Misconduct

Canada has a no-fault divorce law which stipulates that the reason for the divorce does not affect a spouse’s legal obligation to support the other spouse following a divorce.

Health Canada
Cocooning

The cocoon scenario depicts Canadians living in a society wherein the pervasive quality of life is contingent upon insularity, cautiousness and a preference for familiar surroundings. Cocooning is associated with achieving personal and familial security. This precludes neighborhood interaction and a larger sense of community belonging. This scenario was one of four statistical models used to examine the ramifications of lower childhood activity levels. The cocoon scenario produced the lowest life expectancy and the highest mortality rates of the four constructs.

Health Canada
Cocooning

The cocoon scenario depicts Canadians living in a society wherein the pervasive quality of life is contingent upon insularity, cautiousness and a preference for familiar surroundings. Cocooning is associated with achieving personal and familial security. This precludes neighborhood interaction and a larger sense of community belonging. This scenario was one of four statistical models used to examine the ramifications of lower childhood activity levels. The cocoon scenario produced the lowest life expectancy and the highest mortality rates of the four constructs.

Health Canada
Cocooning

The cocoon scenario depicts Canadians living in a society wherein the pervasive quality of life is contingent upon insularity, cautiousness and a preference for familiar surroundings. Cocooning is associated with achieving personal and familial security. This precludes neighborhood interaction and a larger sense of community belonging. This scenario was one of four statistical models used to examine the ramifications of lower childhood activity levels. The cocoon scenario produced the lowest life expectancy and the highest mortality rates of the four constructs.

Health Canada
Cocooning

The cocoon scenario depicts Canadians living in a society wherein the pervasive quality of life is contingent upon insularity, cautiousness and a preference for familiar surroundings. Cocooning is associated with achieving personal and familial security. This precludes neighborhood interaction and a larger sense of community belonging. This scenario was one of four statistical models used to examine the ramifications of lower childhood activity levels. The cocoon scenario produced the lowest life expectancy and the highest mortality rates of the four constructs.

Statistics Canada
Overqualification of Young Graduates

Young workers in world dominated by technology, knowledge and innovation are adapting by acquiring post-secondary educational credentials. With this growing pool of university graduates, the number of skilled positions does not meet the number of skilled graduates. Consequently, some graduates are ” overqualified” which contributes to a skills mismatch problem. This problem is exacerbated in a weaker labor market wherein a larger number of graduates compete for a limited number of professional positions. Overqualification can lead to lower earnings and lower productivity. In 2011, university graduates, ranging from 25- 34 years of age with a degree in the Humanities were working in occupations requiring a high school education or less. This may prevent younger individuals from gaining the experience required to find better jobs in the future.

Statistics Canada
Overqualification of Young Graduates

Young workers in world dominated by technology, knowledge and innovation are adapting by acquiring post-secondary educational credentials. With this growing pool of university graduates, the number of skilled positions does not meet the number of skilled graduates. Consequently, some graduates are ” overqualified” which contributes to a skills mismatch problem. This problem is exacerbated in a weaker labor market wherein a larger number of graduates compete for a limited number of professional positions. Overqualification can lead to lower earnings and lower productivity. In 2011, university graduates, ranging from 25- 34 years of age with a degree in the Humanities were working in occupations requiring a high school education or less. This may prevent younger individuals from gaining the experience required to find better jobs in the future.

Statistics Canada
Overqualification of Young Graduates

Young workers in world dominated by technology, knowledge and innovation are adapting by acquiring post-secondary educational credentials. With this growing pool of university graduates, the number of skilled positions does not meet the number of skilled graduates. Consequently, some graduates are ” overqualified” which contributes to a skills mismatch problem. This problem is exacerbated in a weaker labor market wherein a larger number of graduates compete for a limited number of professional positions. Overqualification can lead to lower earnings and lower productivity. In 2011, university graduates, ranging from 25- 34 years of age with a degree in the Humanities were working in occupations requiring a high school education or less. This may prevent younger individuals from gaining the experience required to find better jobs in the future.

NAFTA.gc.ca (adapted text)

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ia a regional agreement between the Government of Canada, the Government of the United Mexican States and the Government of the United States of America to implement a free trade area.

NAFTA.gc.ca

Dumping is the sale of goods in foreign markets at prices below those charged for comparable sales in the home market or that are below the cost of producing the goods. An anti-dumping duty is a levy imposed on imported merchandise to protect an affected domestic industry from injury caused by dumped goods in the importing country.

NAFTA.gc.ca

Dumping is the sale of goods in foreign markets at prices below those charged for comparable sales in the home market or that are below the cost of producing the goods. An anti-dumping duty is a levy imposed on imported merchandise to protect an affected domestic industry from injury caused by dumped goods in the importing country.

NAFTA.gc.ca (adapted text)

A countervailing duty is a special duty imposed on imported merchandise to protect a domestic industry from injury caused by imports from foreign countries.

Human Resources Guide
Crisis Management

According to HR analysis of the organizational directives, there are two categories of recommendation.
Firstly, « Forums of Expertise » which have a Public Service-wide clientele and secondly, « Partnerships and Alliances » which involve a smaller cluster of agencies and departments.

Human Resources Guide:
Change Management

Assuming that employees will embrace a workplace change and adapt to it automatically may prove a mistake. Most people are creatures of habit which may lead to evasion on their part or to the mere pretense of change ( i.e. the path of least resistance).

Human Resources Guide
Change Management

Relying on or anticipating the short-term advantages of change often results in failure because corporate restructuring and change in procedure causes destabilizing disorder. Only after a reasonable length of time do measurable impacts on productivity appear.

If a manager relies on the passage of time for problems to diminish without guiding their team, complacency may undermine the process.

Human Resources Guide

Launching a restructuring process with imprecise and unproven measures can lead to arguments and loss of credibility with those directly affected by change.

An intrinsic component to training and development is to encourage individual departments to take the initiative in fields directly related to their mandate. The purpose of « Forums for Expertise » is to identify lead departments as a focal point and to facilitate the creation of cost-effective alliances and partnerships for common learning objectives.

Human Resources Guide
Change Management

Initially, during times of upheaval, only high-impact risks are known.
As the situation unfolds, it is increasingly possible to identify the forces at play and to ascertain the risks to the organization.
The preliminary analysis should limit itself to an assessment of the ramifications of pressure, the potential for negotiation and strategy, the timeline and the consequences for the company.

Human Resources Guide
Change Management

Initially, during times of upheaval, only high-impact risks are known.
As the situation unfolds, it is increasingly possible to identify the forces at play and to ascertain the risks to the organization.
The preliminary analysis should limit itself to an assessment of the ramifications of pressure, the potential for negotiation and strategy, the timeline and the consequences for the company.

Government of Canada
Security Update

In respose to employees’ concerns regarding cyber fraud and the potential theft of Social Insurance Numbers (SINs), it has been decided to limit SIN collection and use by the federal government to those procedures explicitly authorized.
Henceforth, an employee number called the Employee Record Number (ERN), will be issued to all civil servants by August 10th to replace the SIN number.

Human Resources Guide
Crisis Management

Crisis management requires not only administrative skills but also content expertise.
It is essential that the crisis management team be made up of persons with the required acumen; furthermore, that managers should not hesitate to recruit external consultants for the team.

Human Resources Guide
Crisis Management

Crisis management requires not only administrative skills but also content expertise.
It is essential that the crisis management team be made up of persons with the required acumen; furthermore, that managers should not hesitate to recruit external consultants for the team.

Government of Canada Memo:

ESDC’s database, used to provide The Public Service Commission (PSC) with reports on self-identification, includes statistics from the 2011 survey. Due to its confidentiality, information garnered from this survey was not released.

Consequently, discrepancies exist between ESDC and PSC data. Also, when an employee transfers from one department to another, their employee equity information does not necessarily follow them. As a result, PSC statistics do not reflect reality.

Government of Canada Memo:

ESDC’s database, used to provide The Public Service Commission (PSC) with reports on self-identification, includes statistics from the 2011 survey. Due to its confidentiality, information garnered from this survey was not released.

Consequently, discrepancies exist between ESDC and PSC data. Also, when an employee transfers from one department to another, their employee equity information does not necessarily follow them. As a result, PSC statistics do not reflect reality.

Government of Canada Memo

Self-identification is a voluntary process for PSC employees who opt to be recognized as a member of one or more of the employment equity (EE) groups: aboriginal peoples, visible minorities and persons with disabilities.

Government of Canada Memo:

If you are a member of one of the EE groups previously mentioned and have not self-identified since joining the PSC, complete the attached Employee Identification Form. Rest assured that no self-identifying employee will suffer any stigma and that all information submitted is strictly confidential.

Human Resources Guide:
Change Management

Assuming that employees will embrace a workplace change and adapt to it automatically may prove a mistake. Most people are creatures of habit which may lead to evasion on their part or to the mere pretense of change ( i.e. the path of least resistance).

Government of Canada Memo
EE groups

Copies of this memo are available in alternative formats to those visually impaired employees who have expressed a need for a larger text. Any employee who is visually impaired and has not self-identified may request a copy of this memo from HR at (819) 995- 9312.

Statistics Canada Memo

Many employees use the Emergency Exit doors of the Main building for their smoke breaks. They force these doors open with rocks, planks and miscellaneous debris. Wedging doors open damages the hardware and incurs the cost of ongoing repairs, a needless expense.

This also allows insects and possibly unauthorized people entry as well as destabilizing the air conditioning and/ or heating systems. Please desist with this practice.

Statistics Canada Memo

Many employees use the Emergency Exit doors of the Main building for their smoke breaks. They force these doors open with rocks, planks and miscellaneous debris. Wedging doors open damages the hardware and incurs the cost of ongoing repairs, a needless expense.

This also allows insects and possibly unauthorized people entry as well as destabilizing the air conditioning and/ or heating systems. Please desist with this practice.

Statistics Canada Memo

Many employees use the Emergency Exit doors of the Main building for their smoke breaks. They force these doors open with rocks, planks and miscellaneous debris. Wedging doors open damages the hardware and incurs the cost of ongoing repairs, a needless expense.

This also allows insects and possibly unauthorized people entry as well as destabilizing the air conditioning and/ or heating systems. Please desist with this practice.

Payroll Department Memo
Adjustments

If you are a former member of a union settlement unit, union dues may have been erroneously deducted on your pay check issued on September 10th, 2013. In most cases, the error would range between $50. and $60. The error will be adjusted on your October 3rd pay check. Should you not see an adjustment for the correct amount, please contact your payroll specialist.

Government of Canada Memo
Parking Update

Although the Wellington Street lot is exempted from parking fees under existing Supreme Court policy, parking permits must be issued for Lots P-5, P-6, P-7, P-9 and P-10 in order to ensure the fair allocation of spaces.

Environment Canada Update

The PSC has recycled more than 25,000 tonnes of paper through the Green Program during the last fiscal year.
This is an increase superseding the 20,000 tonnes previously recycled when only desk top baskets were used as recycle bins.
This is an outstanding improvement given that employees today use considerably less paper on a daily basis.

ESDC Memo

Employment and Social Development Canada’s mission is to build an economically stronger and more competitive nation, to aid Canadians in making life choices which enable them to live productive, fulfilling lives and to improve Canadians’ quality of life.

Government of Canada
Wage Freeze Update

The implemented wage freeze may not last the proposed two-year period. Its cessation depends on the results of a program efficiency review that is being conducted. The kinds of programs presently delivered are being closely analyzed. The delivery process itself will be carefully scrutinized and reviewed to ascertain its efficiency. The savings acquired through greater efficiency, a result of the review, can go directly towards shortening the period of the PSC wage freeze.

Government of Canada
Wage Freeze Update

The implemented wage freeze may not last the proposed two-year period. Its cessation depends on the results of a program efficiency review that is being conducted. The kinds of programs presently delivered are being closely analyzed. The delivery process itself will be carefully scrutinized and reviewed to ascertain its efficiency. The savings acquired through greater efficiency, a result of the review, can go directly towards shortening the period of the PSC wage freeze.

Government of Canada
Parking Memo

All employees in Blocks 1000 to 2200 who use their vehicle on a daily basis and wish to obtain a parking permit must complete the attached application form and return it to the Facilities Service Room, Place du Portage, by August 14th, 2014. Employees who only occasionally use their vehicles do not require a permit and may park in Lot M-7.

Treasury Board Report
Management and Accountability Framework

ESDC and Service Canada, have, as individual entities, created their integrated business plans for 2010.
These itemize priorities by program activity in accordance with the departmental mandate. The reports are adequate in terms of reporting HR and IT requirements but do not cite or track resource allocation information. Efforts to improve the rating will continue.

Treasury Board Report
Management and Accountability Framework

ESDC and Service Canada, have, as individual entities, created their integrated business plans for 2010.
These itemize priorities by program activity in accordance with the departmental mandate. The reports are adequate in terms of reporting HR and IT requirements but do not cite or track resource allocation information. Efforts to improve the rating will continue.

Finance Canada Forecast
Future Labor Market Trends

In the coming decades, a number of trends will affect the Canadian Labor Market. Large shifts in the composition of the population, continuing globalization and technological advancements will require the upgrading of skill sets. In the mid to long term, the aging population will present a major economic challenge. The labor force has slowed in growth and has shrunk in terms of available workers. This could lead to labor shortages and employees who are mismatched to their occupation due to a lack of expertise.