Annual report

REGIONAL FEDERAL COUNCILS Annual report 2018 - 2019

Who we are Regional Federal Councils (RFCs) have played an important role in the provinces and territories since the 1980s. Chaired by the Deputy Ministers of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), the RFCs bring together senior federal officials responsible for collective action to support the delivery of programs and activities in the North, British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. MAP OF THE SIX REGIONAL FEDERAL COUNCILS IN CANADA NORTHERN QUEBEC REGION REGION 1,156 Employees 29,719 Employees 45 Council Members 50 Council Members 3 Territorial Tables 14 Networks 23 Executive (EX) 232 Executive (EX) BRITISH COLUMBIA ATLANTIC REGION REGION 22,911 Employees 27,825 Employees 46 Council Members 49 Council Members 12 Networks 4 Networks 173 Executive (EX) 271 Executive (EX) PRAIRIES ONTARIO REGION REGION 31,766 Employees 38,383 Employees 49 Council Members 45 Council Members 5 Networks 13 ex-officio members of the 213 Executive (EX) Provincial Interministerial Community 10 Communities of Interest Regional Federal Councils  Annual Report 2018 – 2019 228 Executive (EX) 1

Our PRIORITIES BUILDING BRIDGES HORIZONTALITY Promoting and sustaining effective networks within regions, across federal Facilitating collaboration and fostering communities of practice, and within synergies among departments, agencies, provincial and territorial tables. and other stakeholders in the delivery of programs and initiatives. GOVERNMENT OF CANADA PRIORITIES INNOVATION AND EXPERIMENTATION PEOPLE Facilitating regional implementation of government Enabling and facilitating regional innovation Supporting horizontal efforts related to people -wide initiatives as determined by the Clerk and the and experimentation. management, recruitment and retention, Public Service Management Advisory Committee, workplace well-being, mental health, and diversity including Blueprint 2020 and Beyond 2020. and inclusion. Regional Federal Councils  Annual Report 2018 – 2019 2

Common Key Accomplishments Understanding the Regional REGIONS NATIONAL CAPTIAL REGION Reality through an analysis of 2017 PSES results 151,760 113,028 EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES Regional Federal Councils (RFCs) collaborated with the Office of the Chief 12.4% 21.8% Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) in 2018/19 to undertake an analysis of the MOBILITY MOBILITY regional 2017 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) results. The objective was to understand observed variances in the recorded results between National Capital 1OUT OF100 1 26OUT OF Region (NCR) and regional employees. In order to achieve this objective, a micro- EX DENSITY EX DENSITY mission opportunity was made open to employees all across the country, and a selected candidate from Ontario Region worked directly with OCHRO to undertake research to investigate these variations. The candidate compiled socio-economic, demographic and employment analysis for each of the six regional federal council regions. In addition to the quantitative approach, over 80 interviews with front- line staff, middle managers, policy and human resource specialists, as well as executives from various departments and agencies provided qualitative insight to the findings. The most significant variations between responses from the regions and those of the NCR aligned with three common themes: talent management, healthy workplaces, and regional innovation and engagement. Aggregated findings were shared with the DM Network on Public Service Renewal and final conclusions and recommendations were presented to the Public Service Management Advisory Committee. The analysis has provided RFCs with a better understanding of the differences in regional realities that might exist between employees who occupy positions in the NCR, and has positioned RFCs across the country to further enhance our impact in the regions. Regional Federal Councils  Annual Report 2018 – 2019 3

Common Key Accomplishments Regional Innovation Fairs Working on the team that planned the Pacific Innovation Fair in 2018 was an immense and incredibly worthwhile project, from which I took away more than I could have ever expected. While this micro- On May 16, 2018, regional Blueprint 2020 Innovation Fairs mission became much more of a commitment than I’d initially imagined, it was a valuable experience in took place simultaneously with the Ottawa Innovation Fair in time-management, building interconnectedness in government, and how to work in a dynamic, fast-paced 15 cities across Canada, which was a record. The cities included team. Having a secondary project that is so different from your regular work helped me realize my full Halifax, St. John’s, Moncton, Charlottetown, Montreal, Toronto, potential and allowed me to uncover talents and abilities.  Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Meghan Chen  Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Vancouver) Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit. This opportunity allowed me to gain insight into departmental work and priorities across multiple A total of 2518 employees attended the ‘user experience’ departments and agencies, and to work with a vast network of grassroots communities of interest that (UX) themed Fairs, where participants gained a better are ever-present in the region. Once I completed this micro-mission, I brought significant value to my understanding of an end-user’s motivation in adopting an substantive position, enabling my department to benefit from my robust experience including a motivation innovative service, or a product where the end-users are both to implement new and exciting ideas within my own organization.  public servants and Canadians. André Langdon  Statistics Canada (Toronto) RFCs leveraged vast regional talents to concurrently deliver The experience I had of leading a micro-mission as part of the 2018 Montreal Innovation Fair has proven the 15 fairs across the country. Aligned with public service to be one of the most rewarding experiences, both professionally and personally. It turned out to be renewal principles, RFCs demonstrated their agility by a very big challenge to take on, yet it provided me with a boost of energy in my 25th year as a public mobilizing regional employees through the use of micro- servant! Taking me out of my comfort zone, I drew from my skills and relied on my management values missions. Breaking away from traditional staffing frameworks to turn this team project into a successful interdepartmental collaboration. In addition to expanding my to increase capacity, and with overwhelming in-kind support professional network, this opportunity brought me a sense of fulfilment and a lot of self-confidence!  from senior leaders in the regions, micro-mission opportunities Dominique Forgues  Correctional Service Canada (Montreal) allowed candidates to maintain their substantive positions, yet gain experience working on a significant interdepartmental project to foster a more inclusive workforce. Individual stories and testimonials from those who participated in these micro- missions are inspiring. There was resounding enthusiasm about what the opportunities meant for their careers and how empowered and energetic they felt in unifying departments and agencies for a common goal. Regional Federal Councils  Annual Report 2018 – 2019 4

Atlantic New AFC Official Languages Recognition Award Federal Council The Atlantic Federal Council (AFC) has launched its first Official Languages (OL) Recognition Award. The purpose is to recognize the outstanding contribution of an employee, or group of employees, who has or have contributed to the advancement of OL in the Atlantic region. It consists of three categories: Recognition Award for Internal Services, External Services and the AFC President’s Awards. Fourteen nominations from eight different departments and agencies were submitted. The awards will be presented to the successful recipients for the first time during the official launch of the OL Week in the Atlantic region on May 13, 2019. Newfoundland Group Mentoring AFC Hosted a Reconciliation and Labrador Initiative Program Exercise Workshop on Canadian-Indigenous history The AFC People Management Sub-Committee has launched a second offering of a Group Mentoring AFC has hosted a KAIROS blanket exercise hands-on Initiative Program aims at providing coaching and helping learning event. This program is a unique, participatory mentees strengthen their key leadership competencies history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous while providing the mentors an opportunity to share their Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters legacy. Fifty-two mentees from twelve departments/ truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation among agencies were matched with twelve mentors from seven Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. departments/agencies. New Brunswick Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island 5

Quebec Wellness and Mental Health in the workplace Federal Council The report entitled Wellness and mental health in the workplace: Report on Best Practices Observed in Private Quebec Companies and Potential Considerations for Federal Departments was officially launched in March 2019 as part of a discussion organized in co-operation with the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) and webcast across Canada. This webcast proved to be one of the most popular ever for the CSPS, drawing in 26 in-person participants and over 690 virtual participants. Inclusive Speed Staffing 10 experts – 23 apprentices In collaboration with the Public Service Commission “Let’s Chat!” is a networking initiative launched as part of Canada, the Quebec Federal Council Innovation Lab of National Public Service Week that gave 23 employees designed and delivered an interdepartmental speed an opportunity to connect with an “expert” of their choice staffing recruiting initiative, which targets designated for 30 minutes to talk about their careers or specialized groups and linguistic minorities to increase diversity in areas of expertise. the federal public service in Quebec. Five participating departments evaluated almost 100 candidates in 2018/19. The QFC Innovation Lab receives $186,500 of financial support from 25 departments and agencies. 6

Ontario Interdepartmental Communities of Interest Federal Council Playing a vital role in contributing to Ontario’s collective Beyond2020 vision, the OFC’s 10 Communities of Interest Ontario are important grassroots networks that operate beyond any single department or agency. Led by dedicated volunteers, these communities contribute to creating a more cohesive federal family; enabling a capable, confident and high-performing workforce that embraces new ways of working. Mobilizing the diversity of talent to serve the regions’ evolving needs, these communities have proven to be important forums to exchange ideas in the areas of communications, official languages, wellness, learning, financial and HR stewardship and leadership development. Provincial Interministerial Leveraging Community members External Knowledge To provide greater collaboration in advancing horizontal The OFC invited several guests to present to its priorities, the OFC invited the Provincial Interministerial membership on thematic areas such as Women and Community (PIC) to become ex-officio members in May 2018. Closely aligned with the OFC’s mandate, Gender Equality, Workplace Wellbeing, Harassment and PIC has a dedicated Chair, 45 executive members, Discrimination, and Innovation and Experimentation in four regional and 20 local councils distributed across the Workplace. Members not only benefitted from open the province’s public service, supporting over 8500 discussions with central agency colleagues and Deputy managers. An effective example of inter-jurisdictional Heads, but also engaged with external representatives collaboration, the OFC and PIC have benefitted greatly from the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario, and from enriched discussions on areas of mutual interest; the Rotman Institute for Gender and the Economy. striving towards increased coordination on horizontal Leveraging these untapped resources to expand activities that will strengthen the leadership community knowledge has been a key focus for the OFC, enhancing and forge new partnerships to drive public service the quality of discussions and enabling members to transformation at the regional level. experiment with and apply new approaches. 7

Northern Connecting Across the North Federal Council Senior leaders in each of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut support the work of the Northern Federal Yukon Territory Council through monthly meetings. The co-chairs of each federal table facilitated dialogues, ensured timely and Nunavut effective sharing and collecting of information with partners across the public service and helped coordinate and support activities offered by other public service organizations such as the Canada School of the Public Service. Northwest Territories Reconciliation Lessons shared Reconciliation is a multi-faceted process that restores The territorial tables are made up of representatives of and develops respectful relationships between the departments present in each territory. These tables Indigenous peoples and Canada by shedding light on are finding ways to work together to find efficiencies, our shared Canadian history and the multi-generational build on lessons learned and share successes related to impacts of colonialism. Working groups, awareness staffing, student employment, and learning opportunities session, workshops and facilitated discussion on this in their communities. topic have been organized and delivered in each of the territories with the leadership of the territorial tables. 8

Prairie Innovation Lab Federal Council In collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Prairie Federal Council hosted its first Innovation Alberta Lab in July 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ten participants from five federal departments came together to explore Manitoba the innovation challenge of people and community-centric service delivery. That is, how can we provide service to communities based on geography or issue, rather than by department. This issue is particularly salient in the Prairies Saskatchewan in order to improve access to services, achieve efficiencies and cost savings in rural regions. The innovation objective was to aim for a 10X value proposition with horizontal alignment to departmental priorities to demonstrate value. FedStarter 4.0 Prairie Federal Council Special Meeting on the Opioids The Prairie Federal Council’s FedStarter initiative Crisis in Canada supports out of the box thinking and encourages public servants to shape the future of the public service. The Over three days in November 2018, the Prairie Federal annual intake for proposals is open to all public servants Council hosted a series of special meetings involving in the Prairies. Approved proposals move forward to a 85 participants in Edmonton, Regina, and Winnipeg about Dragons’ Den, where teams have seven minutes to pitch Canada’s opioids crisis. This crisis is currently affecting their innovative idea to executives for funding support. Canadians across all socio-economic groups. These Teams spend the remainder of the year delivering their strategic meetings provided public servant leaders at all projects and reporting on the impacts their projects levels with the opportunity to learn about and exchange achieved. Fourteen innovative projects received a total knowledge related to Canada’s opioids crisis to support of $37,100.00 in 2018/19 to support priorities of public coordination efforts at both the federal and provincial level. service renewal, Indigenous Peoples, and improving services to Canadians. 9

British Columbia British Columbia Networks Federal Council The BCFC financially and logistically supports 12 interdepartmental communities of interest and committees in the region. British Columbia In 2018/19, the Western Indigenous Student Engagement Network was created, as well as a new interdepartmental Mental Health Community of Practice and a new informal network of executives. These groups delivered some of the largest learning and development events in the region, with over 3,700 employees attending them. MOU with First Nations Mental Health Open Door With 202 First Nations communities located in BC, On February 20th, 2018, over 80 leaders from the BC being inclusive is essential. The Indigenous Interest region participated in the first interdepartmental Mental and Issues Committee, a sub-group of the BCFC, has Health Open Door event was designed to showcase the collaborated with the First Nations Summit to co-develop best tools and programs from both inside and outside a unique initiative aimed at strengthening First Nations government to help support employees through mental public service institution in BC via a collaboration with illness, critical incident stress, family issues, burn-out the First Nations Public Service Secretariat. The initiative and more. Employees were invited to learn alongside invites federal departments and their employees to champions about creating a healthy work environment share best practices, tools, and expertise with First for their team, while not impacting their own health Nations allowing federal public servants to increase in the process. Thirteen departments collaborated to their awareness of the Indigenous reality and history, plan, design, and deliver the workshops during this first while also providing First Nations public servants with interdepartmental event on Mental Health in Vancouver. expertise and mentorship in areas such as leadership, financial, HR, or information management. 10

Impact and Reach PRESENTERS CONNECTIONS 24 COUNCIL MEETINGS WITH 80+ SENIOR LEADERS FROM: OCHRO CONSULTATIONS Association of Privy Council Office Professional Executives 205 of the Public Service Public Services and of Canada Procurement Canada TOWN HALL ON PUBLIC SERVICE ACCESSIBILITY Canadian Coast Guard Public Service Commission of Canada WITH YASMINE LAROCHE Canada School of Public Service Shared Services Canada 2518 10,000+ Crown-Indigenous Status of Women INNOVATION FAIR CONNECTIONS VIA NETWORKS Relations and Northern PARTICIPANTS AND COMMITTEES Affairs Canada Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat 738 819 Finance Canada Non-profit organizations FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER FOLLOWERS ON GCCONNEX Health Canada and think tanks National Managers Municipal, Provincial, Community and Territorial Governments, Partners Office of the and stakeholders Commissioner for Official Languages Universities and research organizations Regional Federal Councils  Annual Report 2018 – 2019 11

Contact US! rfc-cfr.gc.ca Atlantic Federal Council Ontario Federal Council Prairie Federal Council Blue Cross Centre 151 Yonge Street, Suite 300 Canada Place, Suite 1500 644 Main Street P.O. Box 6051 Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W7 9700 Jasper Avenue Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 9J8 Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4C1 (416) 973-7248 (506) 851-2085 fdo.ofc-cfo.fdo @ canada.ca (780) 495-3549 francine.guerette @ canada.ca wd.pfcsecretariat-cfpsecretariat.deo @ canada.ca  Ontario Federal Council  Atlantic Federal Council   Prairie Federal Council Secretariat Northern Federal Council   @ PrairieCouncil Quebec Federal Council 90 Sparks Street, 3rd Floor 800 René Lévesque Blvd. West Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H4 British Columbia Federal Council Montreal, Quebec H3B 1X9 300 West Georgia, 13th floor (819) 360-0807 Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 6C9 (514) 641-9186 jacqueline.lalonde @ canada.ca dec.cfq-qfc.ced @ canada.ca (604) 657-8954  Northern Federal Council wd.federalcouncilbcfc-conseilfederalcfcb.deo @ canada.ca   Quebec Federal Council – Secretariat   @ CFQ_QFC   BC Federal Council Secretariat   @ BCFedCouncil Regional Federal Councils  Annual Report 2018 – 2019 12