POLAR XPRESS – November 2, 2020

FROM THE TOP

The Speech from the Throne & POLAR’s Strategic Plan

Summary of the August Discussion Session
Thank you to all who participated in the first information and discussion session on the Strategic Plan – we had strong participation of approximately 30 folks – a good showing in the midst of summer vacations!

For those of you who were unable to participate, here is a quick summary of the session:
When you are reading the Strategic Plan, you need to consider the policy and fiscal frameworks that outline the Government of Canada’s priorities, including:

Planning for 2021-22
As we begin planning for 2021-22, we will need to consider the policy agenda set in the most recent Speech from the Throne, on September 23, 2020, opening the second session of the Forty-Third Parliament of Canada.

The Speech from the Throne, as expected, had a strong focus on supporting Canadians through the pandemic, while continuing to emphasize ongoing federal priorities such as reconciliation and clean energy. At a high level, we also heard about the Government’s plans for economic recovery.

The Speech had four themes:

  • Protecting Canadians from COVID-19;
  • Helping Canadians through the pandemic;
  • Building back better: A resiliency agenda for the middle-class; and,
  • The Canada we’re fighting for.

The Speech touched on many issues that the Government of Canada has noted as a priority – including the unique challenges and increased pressures faced by women in the pandemic. It also emphasized the commitment to reconciliation, and, particularly, co-development of policy and program solutions to Indigenous healthcare and infrastructure.

In its discussion on “Building back better”, the Speech speaks to climate change and the importance of a recovery that considers the “extreme risks” of our rapidly changing climate. On October 1, 2020, the federal government announced $10B in infrastructure spending as part of their $35B recovery plan, including:

  • $2.5 billion for clean power to support renewable generation and storage and to transmit clean electricity between provinces, territories and regions, including northern and Indigenous communities.
  • $2 billion to help connect about 750,000 homes and small businesses to broadband in under-served communities.
  • $2 billion for large-scale energy efficient building retrofits.
  • $1.5 billion for agriculture irrigation projects to boost production, strengthen Canada's food security, and expand export opportunities.
  • $1.5 billion to speed up the adoption of zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure.

Canadians also know climate change threatens our health, way of life, and planet. They want climate action now, and that is what the Government will continue to deliver.
Speech from the Throne
September 23, 2020

 

What does all this mean for POLAR? Well, as we begin to prepare for a new fiscal year, in an operational context we’ve never seen before, we now have a framework to use to help us prioritize our operations, to identify new partnerships, and strengthen existing relationships. If the Government of Canada is looking for solutions for clean growth, resiliency, and solutions co-developed with Indigenous peoples, many of you are actively working on files that will contribute to these priorities.

As you look at the work on your desk in third quarter of 2020-21, and begin planning for 2021-22, what work can you link to these priorities? What connections have you made that could present new opportunities to advance this work? Does POLAR have information or expertise on these funding initiatives that could be of use to other federal organizations – and, if we do, do these potential partners know that we can help?

In the next discussion session, scheduled for November 25, 2020, we will chat about the 2021-22 Departmental Plan and the Strategic Plan in the context of the ongoing pandemic and the most recent Speech from the Throne.

As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly if you are looking for guidance on the Strategic Plan, or any of the policy and fiscal frameworks linked above. I’m happy to join your team meetings or have discussions one-on-one.

Melissa Bolster
Senior Advisor Planning and Reporting

Museum of Nature open house video series

In normal times, the Museum of Nature would hold an Open House at their Natural Heritage Campus the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Given the circumstances in Ontario right now, the Museum needed to get creative, bringing to life the Open House Video Series! Over 20 virtual tours and behind-the-scenes videos will be released that will explore the farthest corners of our research collections, laboratories and archives. Watch here.

POLAR’S PEOPLE

POLAR gives a presentation to Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre employees

On October 23, 2020, Martin Leger, POLAR’s Science & Technology Laboratory Manager, gave a presentation to a group of employees involved with the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) in Moncton, New Brunswick. Via Microsoft Teams. Martin took the group through the 360 virtual tour of the CHARS Campus which is available on POLAR’s website.

The Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre, which is part of the Government of Canada’s New Infrastructure Initiative – and like POLAR, lists itself as a world-class, innovative research hub -- will bring all science-based Government of Canada departments and agencies in the Moncton area together under one roof. This will offer new opportunities for sharing human and physical resources, tools and equipment and, perhaps, more importantly, the sharing of knowledge amongst the community of scientists.

In addition to enjoying the tour and appreciating the beauty of the building, one of the attendees particularly liked the fact that the Security Desk at in the Main Research Building is not front and centre when you enter the facility, making it less intimidating and more welcoming.

Martin is considering holding a second meeting and presentation for ASEC employees, which would go into more detail about POLAR’s mandate, structure, and partnerships with other organizations.

LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE

The Contributions of Indigenous Peoples to Canada's Military History

Join us for a discussion with Indigenous veteran John Jewitt, who will share stories about the history of Indigenous veterans and their military experience.

Date and time: November 10, 2020 | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (ET)
Registration deadline: November 9, 2020, 3:00 pm (ET)
Language: English, with interpretation in French
Location: Available across Canada by webcast
Audience: All public servants at all levels
Register for webcast

Lunch & Learn Series

November 5, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
Katherine Wilson, Chief of Strategic Policy and Planning, ECCC
Presenting on changing the role of non-Indigenous research partners in practice to support Inuit self-determination in research

November 19, 2020, 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
Joel Heath, The Arctic Eider Society
Presenting on supporting self-determination for Inuit in research and environmental stewardship through SIKU and the Hudson Bay Consortium

Your suggestions of topics and speakers are always welcome. Please share these with Tyler Bloom at tyler.bloom@polar-polaire.gc.ca and Timothy Straka timothy.straka@polar-polaire.gc.ca.

Inuktut word of the week

The Inuktut word of the week is: titirauti, which means pen.

It is pronounced: Tee-tee-rah-ooh-tee

Listen to the pronunciations here:

Are you ready to Talk the Talk?

Talk the Talk

UPDATES

Key outcomes from the Executive Team Meeting

Here are the key outcomes and decisions from the October 21, 2020, Senior Management Committee discussions:

  • Members discussed the use of leave code 699 and the revised guidance that is expected to be received from the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer in early November.
  • Members discussed travel to and from Nunavut and how the bookings of NU isolation hubs could have an impact on employees’ requests for leave around the holiday season.
  • The Committee discussed the requirement for POLAR to develop a Business Continuity Plan. The first step will be to prepare a Business Impact Analysis. Members are to advise Renée McCarter who will participate in the exercise from their respective teams. An initial meeting will be organized in early November.

WORKPLACE NOTICES

Winter blues 101

Say hello to wet shoes, grey skies and cold noses. Winter in Canada can be tough, not only physically but mentally as well. The winter blues come with a wave of low emotions that come with colder weather and shorter days. Did you know that 15% of people in Canada experience the winter blues? If you are starting to feel the effects of the winter blues, you may feel the need to sleep a little longer, indulge in comfort food more often or even spend more time in front of Netflix than with your friends or family.

Here are a few simple tricks to help battle those winter blues:

  • Exercise: This doesn’t necessarily mean heading out to the gym. It can be as simple as bundling up and heading out for a walk.
  • Stimulate you senses: Essential oils are now incredibly easy to come by and also great for positive mood boosting, try reaching for citrus scents such as grapefruit, tangerine and orange.
  • Eat seasonally: Soup season is here! There is nothing more satisfying than standing over a steaming pot of delicious butternut squash or chicken noodle soup on a cold night. Citrus also hits its peak season which adds a great boost of sweetness to your diet.
  • Try a new activity: There are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep you busy on your down time. Head out on your snowmobile, grab your skis or rent some skates for a day of fun. If the outdoors isn’t so appealing, try some indoor activities such as cooking or crafting!