POLAR XPRESS – October 5, 2020

FROM THE TOP

Annual Report on Official Languages

Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages, has released the 2019-2020 Annual Report, which was tabled in Parliament on September 29. Language rights are part of the foundation on which Canada was built. They are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and protected by the Official Languages Act. The events of the past year have shone a spotlight on the essential need to communicate effectively with Canadians in both official languages during emergencies.

Read the 2019-2020 Annual Report

Upcoming Canada School of Public Service events

Navigating Social Media in the Government of Canada
The ever-changing and dynamic landscape of social media has 3.6 billion users digitally connecting, collaborating and sharing ideas worldwide, and it is still growing rapidly. Today, public servants have embraced social media as a way to work more openly, connect with their communities and engage in current events.

Join CSPC as they explore best practices for navigating social media in a Government of Canada context.

Date and time: October 6, 2020 | 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. (ET)
Registration deadline: October 6, 2020, 10:00 a.m. (ET)
Language: Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Location: Available across Canada by webcast
Audience: All public servants at all levels
Register for webcast

Ensuring Indigenous voices are present during co‑development: examples and lessons learned
The Government of Canada has committed to renewing relationships with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnerships. This includes a distinctions-based approach when co developing policies, programs and legislation with and for Indigenous Peoples. But what does co development look like in this context?

Date and time: October 7, 2020 | 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Registration deadline: October 6, 2020, 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Language: Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Location: Available across Canada by webcast
Audience: All public servants at all levels
Register for webcast

Understanding the Human Side of Cybersecurity
The use of personal and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wearable technologies, cloud computing and wireless networks all create opportunities for malicious actors to gain access to and exploit our personal and professional information. The Government of Canada is investing more than $1 billion over 10 years to defend Canadians against cyber threats, but the greatest vector for cyber-attack isn't a piece of technology—it's us.

Join the CSPS for a two-day event and learn from top experts as they empower you to better navigate the cybersecurity environment.

Date and time: October 8, 2020 | 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET) and October 9, 2020 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET)
Registration deadline: October 7, 2020, 12:00 p.m. (ET)
Language: Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Location: Available across Canada by webcast
Audience: All public servants at all levels
Register for webcast

POLAR’S PEOPLE

Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)

In 1995, the Government of Canada committed to using GBA+ to advance gender equality in Canada, as part of the ratification of the United Nations’ Beijing Platform for Action.

Gender equality is enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is part of the Constitution of Canada. Gender equality means that diverse groups of women, men and non-binary people are able to participate fully in all spheres of Canadian life, contributing to an inclusive and democratic society.

The Government recently renewed its commitment to GBA+ and is working to strengthen its implementation across all federal departments.

What is GBA+?

Gender Based Analysis Plus – GBA+ – is an analytical process used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and non-binary people may experience policies, programs and initiatives. The “plus” in GBA+ acknowledges that GBA goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences. We all have multiple identity factors that intersect to make us who we are; GBA+ also considers many other identity factors, like race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

In early 2020, our Minister’s Office directed POLAR to include enhanced GBA+ commitments in our 2020-21 Departmental Plan. To meet the key commitment made in response to this direction, all POLAR employees are requested to undertake the GBA+ course developed by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE). The course can be found here.

For those wishing to dive a little deeper into GBA+, the Canada School of Public Service has a number of courses, videos and other information resources on GBA+. You can find their GBA+ offerings here.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions regarding GBA+.

Melissa Bolster
Senior Advisor, Planning and Reporting

LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE

Lunch & Learn Series comeback!

In April, KM&E launched a new initiative for POLAR staff: the 2020 Lunch & Learn Series. The goals of the series were to connect and educate POLAR staff, while tackling important issues and opportunities in polar knowledge, science and engagement. Since the inception of the series, POLAR staff have had the opportunity to listen to and connect with a diverse range of speakers with relevant polar knowledge insights.

After taking a brief hiatus in August and September, KM&E is now ready to bring back the series with new and exciting speakers! Stay tuned for the announcement of the upcoming events later this month.

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.

Inuinnaqtun/Inuktitut word of the week

The Inuinnaqtun/Inuktitut word of the week is: aaliraujaq, it means: table or desk

It is pronounced: aah-lee-rah-ooh-yack

Listen to the pronunciations here:

Are you ready to Talk the Talk?

UPDATES

Key outcomes from the Executive Team Meeting

Here are the key outcomes and decisions from the September 23, 2020, Executive Team Meeting (ETM) discussion:

• Members discussed considerations for managers to take into account when an employee requests leave due to an illness in their family. Managers are encouraged to discuss any questions with Human Resources, and are reminded that Leave Code 699 is not to be approved without prior consultation with HR.
• ETM discussed the importance of the requirement for managers to complete departure forms for all employees who are departing POLAR, including those employees on approved leave for periods of three months or more.
• Marie-Eve LaRocque updated members on communications activities and consulted the management team regarding the purchase of branding items, and the use of email signature block templates.

WORKPLACE NOTICES

Office 365 Training

With POLAR’s migration to Office 365 in progress, training sessions will be offered on the Introductions to Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive.

Available dates:
Wednesday October 7, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET)
Thursday October 8, 2020 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (ET)
Wednesday October 14, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET)
Thursday October 15, 2020 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (ET)

To sign up for training, please send an e-mail to Logan Carisse. One-on-one training can also be provided, upon request.