Public Service Alliance of Canada

Systemic racial inequities persist in our society and there is no question that many of our institutions, including the Public Service Alliance of Canada, are built on systems that are inherently racist. PSAC has long been a leader in the Canadian labour movement in protecting the rights of its members and creating spaces for equity groups.  

When the GCcoworking project was first introduced, it seemed completely at odds with traditional office life. 

Replacing classic public service office buildings with a smattering of satellite offices did not seem like a winning formula to many. Sure, if you could work closer to home it could save a lot of commuting time, but would it be worth the drawbacks of working away from many of your colleagues?

For Nielene Chand, the sudden shift to remote work at the onset of the pandemic was challenging. Like much of government, her agency was scrambling to roll out platforms and computer equipment to allow for remote work. Nielene, who is president of her local at Canada Revenue Agency, also worried about staying in touch with members who needed her help.

A year later, things have changed. “We’ve adapted to new tools and we’re working as efficiently at home as when we were in the office,” she explained. “Everyone is motivated by a deep sense of service to the public.”

With vaccinations against COVID-19 ramping up across the country, we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. After more than a year of doing everything we can to cope with the global pandemic, it’s time to turn our minds to what comes next. 

In the coming months, we will need to start rebuilding differently and better. 

PSAC reaches out today to the residents of the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation, who learned yesterday that the remains of 215 children who attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School have been found on the reserve.