bout de papier, Vol. 32, No. 1 (2022), p. 3
THE LAST TIME I WROTE to bout de papier readers, much of the world was in the middle of a third wave, but vaccine administration was ramping up, and even Bill Gates was predicting that the world would be back to normal by the end of 2022. Then along came the Delta variant, creating a fourth wave, a higher threshold for herd immunity, and more uncertainty. And, just when we thought we had gotten through the worst, Omicron emerged, bringing with it unprecedented case counts, stress on health care systems in Canada and around the world, and the need for vaccination boosters.
On 6 October 2021, partly in response to stagnating vaccination levels, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that all federal employees in the Core Public Administration were required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by 29 October. Those who did not do so, or who declined to get vaccinated, were placed on leave without pay as early as 15 November. Soon after the Prime Minister’s announcement, GAC announced its complementary policy, which also applies to Locally-Engaged Staff. The policy calls for Canada-Based Staff at missions abroad who do not meet the requirements to return to Canada and be placed on unpaid leave.
The Employer cannot force our members to get vaccinated, but our legal advice indicates that it is within its rights to make vaccination a condition of employment. While providing realistic advice and full representation to those who are denied legitimate accommodation or who are placed on leave without pay because of the Employer’s decisions, PAFSO would be remiss if we gave members the impression that they could avoid serious consequences from ignoring the vaccination requirement.
Furthermore, Article 3 of our Collective Bargaining Agreement requires the Employer to “make all reasonable provisions for the occupational health and safety of employees.” PAFSO welcomes all efforts made by the Employer to ensure a safe and secure workplace for employees during this global pandemic, so long as any measures respect employees’ privacy and allow for legitimate accommodations. The consensus among mainstream national and international public health authorities on the science is clear: vaccinations, along with masks and physical distancing, are the most effective ways to decrease the risk of serious illness or death and to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. The vast majority of our membership prioritizes the need for safe and secure workplaces with all reasonable health and measures are in place.
The bottom line: if you can get vaccinated, including any recommended boosters, please do so as soon as possible. It’s the right thing to do, not just to protect yourself from financial, career, and health consequences, but also to safeguard our co-workers, loved ones and communities.
As the world struggles to get out of the COVID-19 tunnel, life goes on, and good things even happen once in a while. The Foreign Service community was overjoyed on 25 September when, after 1,019 days in unjust detention in China, our friend and colleague Michael Kovrig, along with fellow Canadian Michael Spavor, returned to Canada. The release of the “Two Michaels” marked the culmination of extensive public and private diplomacy efforts by many Canadians, including PAFSO and its members.
The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in August was another event that resonated with many of us. Canada’s Foreign Service, along with our Armed Forces colleagues, was engaged in Afghanistan for two full decades, trying to combat terrorism and promote security, development and democratic governance. During our efforts, 165 Canadians, including former PAFSO member Glynn Berry, lost their lives, and many more were permanently changed by their experiences. In another piece in this issue, I write in more depth about what Afghanistan meant — and continues to mean — to some of us.
We were also very pleased to partner with AMBCANADA in the establishment of the Deborah Chatsis Indigenous Scholarship in International Affairs at Carleton University. This initiative will help make sure that Indigenous peoples are properly represented in Canada’s Foreign Service.
Finally, on the PAFSO governance front, I am happy to report that in September, our members voted to make the Full-Time Presidency a permanent part of our structure. An overwhelming 84.66% of voters supported the Executive Committee’s recommendation, which marked the culmination of a three-year pilot and consultation process. Each of the five associated proposed constitutional amendments also passed with similar levels of support. The first direct elections for the permanent position will take place before the end of April.
This is great news for the future of our Association, and for the Foreign Service community in general. Even without COVID-19, the complexities and risks facing those who serve Canada and Canadians abroad are high. Continuing to have a serving career Foreign Service Officer dedicated full-time to leading PAFSO will make an already effective association and bargaining agent stronger, more focused, and in an even better position to represent the concerns of the professional Foreign Service during the exciting and challenging times to come.
Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 32, No. 1 (2022), p. 3. Read the rest of this issue →
