Supporting Gender Transition at Work: An Updated Guide for PIPSC Members and Managers was developed to promote gender-inclusion across the Canadian public service. Created in collaboration with union leaders and PIPSC subject matter experts, the guide offers practical resources, tools, and best practices for building workplaces where queer, trans and Two-Spirit workers feel safe and welcome.

READ THE REPORT 

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) stands in full solidarity with the 5,400 Air Canada flight attendants represented by the  Air Canada Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) who have been forced to issue a strike notice due to their employer's refusal to address fundamental workplace fairness issues.

This labour dispute represents more than just a contract negotiation – it's about the basic principle that workers should be paid for all the time they spend on the job. For too long, Air Canada flight attendants have performed unpaid work, a practice that undermines the dignity of work and sets a dangerous precedent across all sectors of the Canadian economy.

The stark reality that union locals have had to establish food banks in their own offices for junior flight attendants who cannot afford groceries exposes the human cost of corporate greed. No worker in Canada should face the choice between paying rent and buying food, especially while performing essential safety duties that protect the travelling public.

Air Canada's response to reasonable proposals for fair wages and compensation for all work performed reveals a troubling pattern. Rather than engaging in good-faith bargaining, the company has chosen to refuse to pay workers for all time spent on duty, offered wage increases that don't even match inflation, and appealed to the federal government to strip workers of their Charter-protected right to collective action.

This corporate strategy of using government intervention to avoid bargaining responsibilities threatens the fundamental rights of all Canadian workers, including PIPSC members across the federal public service.

The issues at stake in this dispute extend far beyond the airline industry. When employers can avoid paying for all work performed and rely on government intervention to suppress collective bargaining rights, it weakens the position of workers across all sectors.

As public service professionals, PIPSC members understand the importance of essential services and fair compensation for the skilled work we perform. We recognize these same principles in the fight of Air Canada flight attendants, who ensure passenger safety while facing poverty-level wages.

PIPSC proudly stands with our sisters and brothers at CUPE in their fight for workplace justice. Their struggle is our struggle, and their victory strengthens the labour movement for all working Canadians.

Until negotiations between CUPE and Air Canada are resolved, PIPSC members and staff should be advised that: 

• no further travel bookings will be made with Air Canada for PIPSC members or staff travel
• existing bookings with Air Canada may proceed as planned
• a finance administrator may contact you to provide an alternative booking for your existing Air Canada travel itinerary 
• any PIPSC members who are contractually required to report to work at an airport with a picket line should request their manager to provide safe passage through it

TELL AIR CANADA: UNPAID WORK IS A TRUE CRIME

Now is the time to invest in, not dismantle, Canada’s public service infrastructure. While the new government promised “caps, not cuts,” it has simultaneously introduced a directive to cut as much as 15% over three years. 

As the world navigates economic and environmental uncertainty, Canadians need public services they can rely on – services that have been the backbone of national strength and stability for generations. 

We’re calling on the government to keep its promises and take steps to strengthen the public service because Canadians need security and stability now more than ever. 

Reject cuts

Past austerity measures have undermined health care, environmental protections and public safety. Repeating those mistakes today will jeopardize critical public services, raise unemployment, and weaken our country’s ability to respond to crises, from inflation to climate disasters. Cutting so much so quickly would add another destabilizing shock to our country, but unlike the others, this one would be a deliberate choice.  

The government can find savings by decreasing reliance on external consultants and getting rid of unneeded office space by expanding flexible telework arrangements.

Focus on long-term problem solving, not band-aid solutions

The government repeatedly applies short-sighted band-aids to deep structural issues. Instead, it must address the underlying structures, processes and culture flaws that enable issues to grow out of control in the first place. We’re calling for reforms that empower professionals and reward innovation and agility over risk avoidance. 

Adopt AI responsibly

AI should support, not replace, public sector jobs. We’re proposing a Canada-wide strategy for regulating AI, protecting worker rights and maintaining democratic integrity.

Rein in outsourcing

The 2025–2026 budget estimates show spending on outsourcing professional services is on track to hit a record high. That’s unacceptable from a government that pledged to curb outsourcing, let alone one that is cutting full-time public sector jobs. We’re demanding real accountability: transparency measures to track and rein in outsourcing, smarter hiring practices, and renewed investment in upskilling the existing workforce. Cuts must start with consultants—not the public servants who deliver for Canadians.

Rebuild scientific capacity and integrity

Years of political interference and underfunding have taken a toll on public science. We need renewed investment in research, gender equity in STEM, and strong scientific integrity policies to ensure evidence-based decision-making at all levels of government. 

Read the full report below for PIPSC’s detailed recommendations and analysis. 

Read the report

On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act ended over 250 years of enslavement throughout the British Empire. This freedom was not granted; it was fought for through decades of resistance by enslaved people, abolitionists, and allies who refused to accept that human beings could be property.

Across what is now Canada, newly freed communities immediately organized celebrations that became powerful acts of resistance against ongoing racism and segregation. These Emancipation Day events strengthened Black communities, exposed injustice, and celebrated hard-won freedom while fighting for true equality.

To our Black members: this day honours your ancestors' struggle and recognizes your continued fight against systemic barriers. Your presence in the federal public service carries forward that legacy of breaking down walls and demanding justice.

At PIPSC, we represent the professionals who preserve our nation's memory – including the archivists and researchers in the Research (RE) Group at institutions like Library and Archives Canada. These dedicated public servants know a troubling truth: when budget cuts come, it's rarely the stories of the powerful that disappear first. It's the testimonies of enslaved people, the records of Indigenous resistance, and the documentation of marginalized communities fighting back.

This erasure is not accidental. Throughout history, controlling the narrative has meant controlling the future. When we underfund archival work, we participate in a deliberate act of forgetting that serves only those who benefit from injustice.

The celebrations that began in 1834 continue today because communities understood that remembering is survival. Our members who preserve these records don't just catalogue documents – they wage a daily battle against historical erasure, ensuring that voices silenced in life are not silenced again in death.

A Call to Action:

On this Emancipation Day, PIPSC calls on all our members – Black members and allies alike – to join us in defending the institutions and professionals who safeguard marginalized voices. Whether you work in archives, research, policy, or any other field, you have a role to play:

• advocate for adequate funding for historical preservation and research
• support your colleagues who do this vital work
• speak up when you see attempts to minimize or erase difficult histories
• remember that preserving truth is an act of resistance

The freedom achieved on August 1, 1834, came through collective action. Protecting the record of that struggle – and all struggles for justice – requires collective action too.

PIPSC stands with all our members in this essential fight to ensure that no voice is lost to history.

The Liberal government just broke their first promise to federal public servants – and PIPSC is going to the wall to defend what matters.

Following up on President Sean O'Reilly's email to members last Friday, PIPSC's Board of Directors met in an emergency session this week and took decisive action. The Board unanimously condemned Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's directive for 7.5%, 10%, and 15% spending cuts and authorized significant resources to launch a comprehensive public advocacy campaign.

A promise torched

Let's not forget: this government ran on a promise of "caps, not cuts." That promise has been torched. These aren't caps or "efficiencies" – they're deep, dangerous cuts that put jobs and critical public services at risk. What we're seeing is the most devastating attack on the federal public service in a generation – Harper-style austerity with a red logo slapped on.

Fighting on all fronts

As outlined in our message to members last Friday, PIPSC is mobilizing on all fronts to fight these cuts:

Labour Relations: Our consultation teams are pushing back and demanding to be part of the solution at Union-Management Consultation Committees in each department, where proposals will need to be submitted by late August. They are demanding clear and advanced communication to all employees by the Employer. We are prepared to ensure the Employer respects our collective agreements and will not let violations go unchallenged. Your consultation teams are there to answer questions and to hear your thoughts. FAQs and Webinar recordings are available here to learn more about the workforce adjustment process.

Government Relations: We're booking meetings and making phone calls, taking your message directly to MPs and Ministers. The message is clear: these cuts cannot stand – they will hurt constituents and could cost politicians their seats.

Public Affairs: We're taking this fight public because Canadians didn't vote to gut frontline protections and services. These cuts threaten the scientists who keep drinking water safe, the experts who warn before wildfires strike, and the inspectors who prevent deadly food outbreaks.

Board action: real resources for real results

The Board has now authorized significant resources to fight these cuts on every front. The Board has allocated funding for a comprehensive public advocacy campaign that includes:

• a national advertising campaign across multiple platforms
• targeted outreach to decision-makers and stakeholders
• ongoing advocacy to strengthen support for public services

These cuts are not inevitable

Let's be blunt: this government is doing this without a budget, without a vote in Parliament, and without a shred of transparency or democratic accountability. No debate. No public input. No consultation with unions. Just a backroom directive.

But here's what we also know: resistance works. Public pressure works. Remember that public backlash helped sink Harper's government. The Liberals know they could be next if Canadians realize what they're about to lose.

These cuts pose the biggest threat we've faced together in almost 20 years, and the Board has made fighting them our #1 priority. These cuts are not inevitable – they're a political choice, and we won't let this government quietly dismantle what generations of public servants have built.

The message to Prime Minister Carney

If Prime Minister Carney thinks he can scapegoat public servants to cover for flailing trade talks, he's got another thing coming. We know that public servants aren't an expense line – they are the engine of delivery for the programs and services Canadians depend on.

Standing together

As we move forward with this campaign, we will continue to keep members informed about our advocacy efforts and opportunities for you to get involved. This is the biggest fight we've faced together in almost 20 years, but we can and will win.

The Board has committed significant funding to ensure this campaign reaches every corner of the country. We are prepared to use every tool at our disposal to defend public services, protect our members' jobs, and hold this government accountable for breaking their promises.

We're going to fight these cuts tooth and nail – and we're just getting started

This week, we watched fires and floods force people from their homes. At the same time, governments pushed forward laws to fast-track pipelines, mines, and ports. They call this the national interest. We ask what kind of interest ignores the land, the people, and the voices of Indigenous Nations.

Canada is in a climate crisis. Projects that harm the land continue without real consultation. Bills like C-5 and Bill 5 were created without including Indigenous Peoples. These laws ignore treaty rights and break Canada’s promise to follow the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

We support the First Nations who are standing up in court. Alderville, Apitipi Anicinapek, Aroland, Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Ginoogaming, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Wabauskang are protecting the land and their rights.

We are Indigenous public servants. We know what happens when governments make decisions without listening. It causes harm. It creates mistrust. It does not reflect reconciliation.

We call on all governments to stop and listen. Indigenous Peoples must be part of decisions from the start. Respect for the land must guide every step forward.

CHALK RIVER, ON, July 11, 2025 — Members of the Chalk River Professional Employee Group (CRPEG)—represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)—have voted to ratify their tentative agreement with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), bringing their historic labour dispute to a successful conclusion.

The ratification vote concluded today at noon, with CRPEG's 800+ nuclear scientists and engineers voting to accept the agreement that includes hard-fought improvements over CNL's original offers.

"Our members have spoken, and they've chosen to accept an agreement that recognizes their professional value and the critical work they do for Canada," said CRPEG President Jonathan Fitzpatrick. "This victory demonstrates the power of standing together and fighting for what's right."

The ratified agreement includes improvements secured through the union's historic strike action:

• $2 million increase to company-wide benefits program, benefiting all CNL employees (the first in 25 years)
• $1,700 lump sum payment to every CRPEG member
• 10.5% salary increases over three years with improved distribution (4.0% in 2024, 4.0% in 2025, and 2.5% in 2026)

The five-day selective strike marked the first PIPSC strike action in over 30 years and demonstrated the critical importance of CRPEG members' work in ensuring nuclear reactor safety, managing radioactive waste, and conducting nuclear medicine research.

"This agreement shows what's possible when professional workers stand together," said PIPSC President Sean O'Reilly. "Despite facing aggressive tactics from CNL, our members stayed strong and secured gains that benefit not just CRPEG, but all workers at the facility."

CRPEG members will return to their vital work ensuring Canada's nuclear safety and security. Their expertise supports reactor operations, radioactive waste management, environmental remediation, and nuclear medicine research that serves Canadians across the country.

The agreement concludes a dispute that began when the previous collective agreement expired on December 31, 2023, following 18 months of negotiations.

PIPSC's unfair labour practice complaint regarding CNL's cancellation of vacation leave perceived by members as retaliation for opting to exercise their right to strike continues through the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

The PIPSC Board of Directors recently voted to redefine the boundaries of the Quebec and Ontario regions; a portion of Nunavut located East of the 80th meridian West to the Ontario region will be merged together to better reflect the geographic and linguistic diversity of our membership. 

Members whose work location is in Nunavut will now become part of and be invited to participate in Ontario region activities. PIPSC staff are working hard to implement this change as smoothly and efficiently as possible. 

What does this mean for members in Ontario? 

Ontario members will now be considered members of the Ontario and Nunavut Region. Ontario members will not be otherwise affected by this change in regional boundaries. 

What does this mean for members in Nunavut? 

Nunavut members will now be considered members of the Ontario and Nunavut Region. If your work location is in Nunavut and you were previously a member of the Quebec region: 

• you will now be invited to participate in Ontario and Nunavut Region member events
• new labour relations matters can be directed to a steward or Employment Relations Officer (ERO) within the Toronto Regional Office 
• any existing labour relations files will continue to be represented by your ERO from the Montreal Regional Office. 

For more information about this change or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact: membership@pipsc.ca. 

For information about upcoming Ontario and Nunavut events, please contact:  jpurdie@pipsc.ca 

On June 6, 2025, Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, was introduced in Parliament. It received Royal Assent on June 26, 2025. The review process for the Bill was accelerated and condensed. While there were no formal opportunities for PIPSC to provide input, we developed a position to encourage proper implementation and to highlight the significance of the legislation to Canadians and PIPSC members. 

PIPSC Supports CLC’s Proposed Amendments 

PIPSC endorses the Canadian Labour Congress's vision for Bill C-5 as a catalyst for internal trade and nation-building projects that create sustainable, well-paying union jobs across Canada. 

These investments could drive lasting economic benefits for workers and communities from coast to coast to coast.

We also support the CLC’s position of endorsing the following key amendments to the Bill:

• rein in ministerial powers by implementing clear legislative guardrails and mandatory parliamentary oversight
• clarify enforcement and accountability mechanisms tied to the five “national interest” criteria outlined in the Act
• guarantee robust and enforceable commitments on labour standards, community benefit agreements, and equity provisions in national projects
• enshrine the “Buy Canada” and “Buy Clean” models to ensure these projects drive domestic job creation and climate progress
• guarantee a high-standard, rights-based consultative process with Indigenous peoples that includes free, prior, and informed consent.

These amendments were needed because the new legislation grants extraordinary discretionary powers to the responsible Minister and the Governor in Council without sufficient safeguards.

Indigenous consultation

The Assembly of First Nations and other Indigenous organizations raised fundamental concerns about Bill C-5's approach to Indigenous consultation. Their opposition centers on three critical issues: 

• undermining constitutional and Treaty rights 
• weakening the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate, and 
• disregarding the principle of free, prior, and informed consent, as affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP).

While UNDRIP is referenced in the legislation, it is not a mandatory or binding criterion. This level of discretionary power removes any obligation to prioritize Indigenous rights in decision-making. Additionally, by sidestepping foundational environmental laws, this further undermines Indigenous governance over lands and waters.

PIPSC believes the federal government should commit to a true nation-to-nation relationship, reconciliation, and fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Environmental concerns

The Building Canada Act allows the government to fast-track projects by overriding various other Acts of Parliament. This includes environmental laws such as the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the Species at Risk Act, and the Impact Assessment Act or the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, which can be circumvented if they oppose a new project of national importance. 

Our members at departments like Environment and Climate Change Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada dedicate their careers to protecting our air, water, forests, and fisheries. The current legislation threatens to bypass their expertise and the environmental laws they uphold. 

PIPSC is in favour of new national projects, but they must be environmentally sound and this goal must be outlined in the Act and existing environment laws must be enforced.

Role of the Public Sector

When taxpayers finance major national projects, the benefits must remain in Canadian hands. This principle goes beyond patriotic sentiment—it represents sound fiscal policy and strategic national planning.

Canadian ownership and control must be non-negotiable. Projects built with public funds cannot become foreign-owned assets that extract value from Canadian communities. We need explicit legislative protections against the foreign acquisition of infrastructure that Canadians have paid to build.

Federal civil servants should lead project administration and delivery. Our public service professionals bring unparalleled expertise, institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to Canadian interests. Unlike private contractors whose loyalty follows profit margins, federal employees are accountable to the public they serve.

Public ownership deserves serious consideration as the most effective safeguard against foreign takeover. When governments retain ownership stakes, they maintain control over strategic assets and ensure long-term benefits flow to Canadian communities rather than offshore shareholders.

Skilled government employees represent better value than expensive external contractors. Our federal workforce combines technical excellence with cost-effectiveness and democratic accountability. Choosing internal capacity over outsourcing keeps expertise in-house while delivering superior results for taxpayers.

Concerns from the Federal Regulators

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Canadian Energy Regulator have special distinction under the proposed legislation. PIPSC represents the majority of unionized scientists and engineers at both these organizations. Whereas numerous pieces of legislation can be overridden to achieve authorization, projects covered by legislation that governs CNSC and CER require confirmation that certain criteria are met. For CNSC, the organization must confirm that the projects will not compromise the health or safety of persons, national security or the implementation of international obligations. CER must confirm that the project will not compromise the safety or security of persons or regulated facilities.

There is a great deal of uncertainty within those organizations about how this legislation will be implemented. There are concerns of increased pressure to approve more projects more quickly. It is unclear whether or not these organizations will be able to achieve the reviews on an accelerated timeline without compromising safety. These fears are worsened by internal staffing problems. Our members cite shortages, recruitment and retention issues. 

When industry needs personnel, it's often easier for them to poach trained professionals from the regulatory bodies with both industry experience and knowledge of the regulatory system. Legislative changes must be accompanied by investment to resolve the current staffing issues at CER and CNSC. 

Accountability, Democratic Oversight and Governance

PIPSC has serious concerns about how aggressively the Act was rushed through the House of Commons with little time for debate or discussion. 

We are also concerned that anything deemed a “national interest project” can be rushed through approval without properly accounting for existing legislation. This undermines the rule of law and raises concerns about the potential for unethical conduct.

Parliament has a duty to maintain a proper legislative process. This includes:

• Meaningful public participation in project approval decisions
• Rigorous review processes before adding projects to Schedule 1
• Full stakeholder engagement rather than perfunctory consultation

The Path Forward

Bill C-5 represents an important opportunity to strengthen Canada's economic foundation while advancing reconciliation, environmental protection, and democratic governance. But opportunity alone is insufficient—we must get the implementation right.

PIPSC supports the CLC's proposed amendments to ensure this legislation delivers on its promise of building a stronger, more prosperous Canada that works for everyone.

The choice is clear: Implement the legislation based on the following amendments, or risk undermining the very goals this legislation seeks to achieve.

Canada deserves better. Canadians expect better. With the right implementation, Bill C-5 can deliver better.