Leading Progress: The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada 1920–2020 by Dr. Jason Russell, Canadian labour historian, is now available to all members in an e-book (epub) format.

Published on the centennial of PIPSC’s founding, Leading Progress is the definitive account of our evolution from 1920 to now – and a rare glimpse into an under-studied corner of North American labour history.

Author Dr. Jason Russell draws on a rich collection of sources, including archival material and oral history interviews with dozens of current and past PIPSC members. The story that unfolds is a complex one, filled with success and struggle, told with clarity and even-handedness.

After decades of demographic and generational shifts, economic booms and busts, and political sea change, PIPSC members will look towards our next hundred years with the same important mission that has guided us thus far: to advocate for social and economic justice that benefits all Canadians.

Get your free copy

Download your free copy of the e-book (epub) today: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1d1BtjV_vUd4AK3PyevR5y4HbtnC3NlAK?usp=sharing

Share it with your colleagues. 

Contact LAllan@pipsc.ca for a printed copy of the book.

About the book

The book has garnered praise:

 “Jason Russell’s stirring and comprehensive history of the first century of PIPSC’s innovative organizing among public professionals tells a marvelous story about the power of unionism – not just to lift the standards of work, but to build a stronger economy and society.”

• Jim Stanford, Economist and Director, Centre for Future Work

“Public sector unions remain one of the most vital structures for the protection of workers’ rights, but they also underpin many important values of our democratic institutions, including independence, neutrality, the unbiased use of evidence, equal treatment, and inclusion. In this excellent history, Jason Russell reminds us that we cannot rely on politicians alone to protect the values of our democratic system, and PIPSC exists to defend not only their hard-won rights, but also the rights of all Canadians.”

• Ken Rasmussen, Director, Professor and Graduate Chair, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina

“Leading Progress fills an important gap in labour studies literature, as it considers public employees and professionals, two constituencies whose unions are often understudied. By looking at the history of PIPSC inside and out, it gives a voice to many staff, leaders, and members of the organization through extensive interviews, showing that a union is not only a structure but also the reflection of workers’ identities and the ways they relate to their jobs as well as their communities.”

• Thomas Collombat, Associate Professor of Political Science, Université du Québec en Outaouais

From coast to coast, PIPSC members planted hundreds of trees to celebrate our 100^th anniversary.  PIPSC members are proud to promote environmental stewardship, which is more important than ever as we attempt to address the climate crisis by reducing our carbon footprint.

PIPSC partnered with Tree Canada, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees. For 25 years, they’ve engaged communities, governments, corporations and individuals in the pursuit of a greener and healthier living environment for Canadians.

Since 1920, PIPSC members have held an integral role in collecting data that has confirmed we’re facing a climate crisis. Whether it’s surveying the health of our forests, mapping the stars, or protecting the vitality of our marine ecosystems, the services provided by PIPSC members are services that all Canadians rely on.

The federal pay equity process is underway to ensure that workers in women-dominated jobs receive equal pay for work of equal value. 

On August 31, 2021, all federally regulated employers became subject to the new proactive pay equity legislation. The new legislation replaces an ineffective complaint-based pay equity model.

PIPSC worked with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to develop the regulations that will implement the legislation.

Under the legislation, employers and unions must work together to establish a pay equity committee that will develop and implement a pay equity plan by 2024. PIPSC classification agents will be coordinating pay equity projects and representing your interests throughout the process.

Pay equity process

As a first step, employers must post a notice setting out their pay equity obligation by November 1, 2021. Joint employer-union committees will then develop pay equity plans to check that employees are receiving equal pay for work and to resolve any pay gaps.

A Pay Equity Commissioner will provide further support to the committees and offer any dispute resolution services should the need arise. 

Finally, the plans will be reviewed and updated at least every 5 years, ensuring the employer’s compensation policies remain free of gender bias.

How to get involved

If you have any concerns or want to inform us of developments in your workplace, please email compensation@pipsc.ca. We will keep you updated as the process unfolds.

The Institute is saddened to learn of the passing of Marie-Claude Lavigne on November 18, 2021. Marie-Claude worked as a psychologist at Correctional Services of Canada in Québec. She was a dedicated employee and an active PIPSC steward from 1985 to 1996 at the Leclerc Institution in Laval. 

Marie-Claude looked after the well-being of her colleagues and defended them passionately. Marie-Claude took on many challenges and was a great source of inspiration.

At the time of her retirement in 2007, Marie-Claude was working for the Parole Office. She will be dearly missed. We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.

Condolences and memories can be expressed online.

On November 16, 2021, President Debi Daviau met with recently appointed Treasury Board President Mona Fortier to discuss the way forward on our members’ key issues.

The discussion focused on scientific integrity, equity and diversity, Public Service Health Care Plan improvements, and the potential resumption of negotiations on the Employee Wellness Support Program.

Although she had not received her mandate from the PM yet, Minister Fortier identified her top 3 priorities in her new role:

• good faith negotiations
• open communications
• collaboration

The Minister was very complimentary of the work PIPSC had done with the government and previous Treasury Board Presidents, and shared that she had received many positive comments from colleagues about us.

We look forward to further discussions with Minister Fortier on these and other issues of significant importance to our members, such as flexible work arrangements, safe workplaces, and the next round of collective bargaining.

President Debi Daviau presented the Institute’s 2021 Gold Medal to PIPSC member Dr. Sean Li to recognize his pioneering work in the field of vaccine research that has been instrumental in the international fight against viruses and pandemics, including COVID-19.  Dr. Li is a Senior Research Scientist and Head of the Vaccine Research Lab at Health Canada.

Dr. Li developed the world’s first universal antibody-based test for the detection of antigens of influenza viruses. He also evaluates the factors that explain the development of immunization effects in vaccines and the risks of unwanted reactions. His expertise is sought by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical industries around the world.

The Professional Institute established the Gold Medal Award program in 1937 to recognize professional public service employees whose outstanding work has led to the improvement and enhancement of public well-being.  The program promotes greater awareness of the role and value of professional public services in Canada and globally.

President Debi Daviau presented awards to deserving members for their exemplary and inspiring leadership, and thanked the members of the Award Selection Panel – Chair Bert Crossman, Ralph Herman, and Nita Saville – for reviewing the nominations and for recommending these laureates.

Life Membership Award

The Life Membership Award recognizes outstanding service of enduring value to the Institute by a regular or retired member of the Institute who has demonstrated leadership for at least ten years.

Stephen Bent (AFS)

Ginette Tardif (SH)

David Young (NR)

President’s Achievement Award

The President’s Achievement Award recognizes members who have promoted professionalism by demonstrating innovative initiative and who have made an exceptional contribution under extraordinary circumstances. 

Award

Dr. Galal Ali (CS)

Dr. Ming Hou (RE)

Institute Service Award  

The Institute Service Award recognizes outstanding service over a significant period of time, above and beyond that which might be expected of any devoted member who has served on many constituent body executives.

Eva Henshaw (CS)

Claude Lord (NFB)

Rob Macdonald (SP)

Colin Muise (SH)

Chris Roach (AFS)

Central Bargaining Team:

Dr. Mehren Alaee (RE) posthumous award; Adam Fenwick (SH); Stéphanie Fréchette (CFIA-S&A); Dale Hudson (NR); Kim McGuire (CP); Dr. Louis Poirier (NRC-RO-RCO); Elizabeth Ptasznik (SP); Robert Scott (CS); Robert Trudeau (AFS); Suzelle Brosseau, negotiator; Ryan Campbell, economist

Please visit the Awards page to learn more about the nomination process.

We are stronger together.

Learn more about the accomplishments and continuous work of Canada’s largest union of professional employees in this year’s annual report.

Read the report

The report includes a message from President Debi Daviau addressing some of 2021’s most pressing issues including the COVID-19 response, bargaining, Phoenix, protecting pensions, defending public science, and more.

A report from Chief Operating Officer and Executive Secretary Edward Gillis outlines how PIPSC kept our strategic focus and invested in the bold and ambitious plans that our members demanded of us.