President’s Message
I am pleased to introduce the first issue of our new bi-monthly newsletter, keeping you up to date with all our latest news and priorities.
POLAR XPRESS will feature articles about the Agency, training opportunities, workplace notices, important Government of Canada messages, social committee activities, and so much more! It will be issued by email every second Friday.
In the spring of 2018, POLAR’s Workplace Assessment report indicated a need for improved internal communications. We’ve since put more emphasis on collaborative, open and transparent communications across the Agency, and the launch of today’s POLAR XPRESS newsletter is a direct result of your feedback. We are always open to your suggestions and look forward to finding new ways to keep you informed about POLAR’s greatest and latest.
We are also currently updating our intranet site, one section at a time, to ensure all employees have access to important tools and resources. Check out the new “About Us” section, and stay tuned for future updates.
Happy reading!
David J. Scott
President & CEO
Refreshing POLAR’s Intranet Content
The POLAR intranet is an evolving employee tool designed just for you! We’ve updated the “About Us” section to give you more information about the Agency, our organizational structure, our projects, and a lot more!
POLAR XPRESS issues will be shared through the intranet, and it’s also where the most recent versions of all forms, policies, and documentation will be stored.
Click here to find out more “About Us”!
Lots happening in Cambridge Bay
Return of the Sun
In honor of the “Last day of the Sun” on November 30, the Cambridge Bay team organized a group run/walk around town over the lunch hour to take in the energy of the sun along the ocean one last time. The sun is now back! Employees gathered on Friday for
a walk around town as they welcomed the “Return of the Sun” after a month without full sunlight.
After the walk, employees gathered in the Knowledge Sharing Centre for the first Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) event of the year.
Tea Time
Join the team for a 15-minute mental health break in the kitchen at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. Martin R usually bakes brownies but others have also brought in treats to share. We boil the kettle and have some tea.
Fitness Sessions
Every day during lunch, in the southeast corner of the MRB (facing the ocean), some staff members get together for a 30-40 minute fitness session to reinvigorate the soul. Everyone is welcome!
POLAR Events Calendar
Here’s the latest version of the POLAR events calendar, listing upcoming events and conferences for your awareness.
Of note that the calendar is subject to change. Any travel has to be pre-approved by Directors (and above for international destinations).
POLAR events calendar: January 18, 2019
Inuit Awareness Workshops for Federal Employees
In collaboration with the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program, the Inuit-Crown Partnership Directorate at CIRNA is offering three one-day Inuit awareness workshops for federal employees.
Dates: January 31, February 8 or February 13
Location: Canadian Museum of Nature (240 McLeod St., Ottawa)
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free (lunch NOT included)
This is a unique opportunity to learn about contemporary Inuit society and its foundations, and the relationship between Inuit society and many of the current environmental, political, and social issues facing the North.
The workshops will be delivered by dynamic Inuit youth and instructors from Nunavut Sivuniksavut (www.nunavutsivuniksavut.ca), an award-winning institution based in Ottawa that helps Inuit youth transition from high school to post-secondary education. You will also learn about Inuit history and culture, land claim agreements, and current issues in Inuit communities, via presentations, video clips, interactive discussion and cultural performances.
Interested? Contact Human Resources before January 25 at HR_RH@polar.gc.ca to reserve seating. Places are limited (45 participants; first-come, first-served basis).
New Penalties for Distracted Driving in Nunavut
Holding your phone while driving is now against the law in Nunavut. The new law officially came into effect at the beginning of January. Nunavut was the last jurisdiction in Canada to allow texting and driving.
If you’re driving with your phone in your hand, you’d better put it down. The new law says nobody can drive with an electronic device in their hand unless you’re pulled over and your vehicle isn’t impeding traffic. The law allows you to use your phone to call emergency services while driving. Likewise, emergency personnel may use their phones in their vehicles.
You are also not allowed to have any screen directly in your field of view. The only exceptions are for screens already built into vehicles, like back-up cams, or if a device is being used for GPS. Until new penalties for driving while texting or calling are established, officers may write you a ticket for careless driving which carries a fine up to 115$.
For more information, you can consult Nunavut’s Consolidation of Traffic Safety Act (p.92 – 239.1 – Electronic device).
Government Housing Q&A
Have questions regarding POLAR’s government housing? We have answers!
Check out the following Q&A document which provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about how government housing is administered in Cambridge Bay.
Download the PDF document here
For more information, please contact Martin Turpin or Chris Chisholm.
Teleconferencing Local Number Reminder
The cost of teleconferencing services in the Government of Canada has substantially increased in the last two fiscal years.
POLAR wants to encourage responsible spending on the taxpayers’ behalf by using local teleconference numbers where possible. Using the toll-free dial-in number for a teleconference costs more than the local dial-in number.
We’d like to remind you to call with the local phone number instead of the toll-free number when you are in the local dialing area. Meeting participants that are not in the local area can continue to use the toll-free number.
If you’ve lost or forgotten your local dial-in number, send an email to the Government Teleconferencing Services at SGTReservations.GTSReservations@ssc-spc.gc.ca, or call 613-941-9554 (National Capital Region) or 1-800-226-6338 (Regions).
Inuktitut word of the week: Ullaakkut - ᐅᓪᓛᒃᑯᑦ
The Inuktitut word of the week is ullaakkut. It means good morning and is used as a general greeting.
It is pronounced: Ool-laa-koot.
You can also say ullukkut (ool-loo-koot) for good afternoon.