Happy Public Service Pride Week

Dear Colleagues,

As we celebrate Public Service Pride Week (PSPW), we are reminded of the strength that comes from embracing our differences and celebrating our diversity together as one public service community.

This year’s PSPW theme – Unity in Diversity – speaks to the heart of what makes our public service strong. It encourages us to reflect on how we can continue to support one another, celebrate our differences, and build a more equitable, accessible and inclusive workplace for all. Through our collective efforts and the unique perspectives each of us brings, we can achieve meaningful progress and foster an environment of true inclusion and belonging. In this way we can bring our public service values of excellence and respect for people to life.

Throughout the week of August 19 to 23, we encourage you to engage in conversations, learn from one another and participate in the events and activities planned by the Public Service Pride Network (PSPN) together with the Canada School of Public Service and various other organizations. Let’s celebrate our achievements at the Public Service Pride Awards ceremony on Thursday, August 22, acknowledge the work still to be done and commit to being active allies and advocates for our Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual colleagues and those who identify as being part of sexual and gender diverse communities (2SLGBTQIA+) every day.

Action is key. It demands of us that we listen, that we take concrete steps. The PSPN’s update (PDF, 254 KB) to the Open Letter to deputy ministers (PDF, 220 KB) provides direction on how public servants at all levels can support the creation of the inclusive and equitable workplace we all desire to achieve.

PSPW is an opportunity to honour the contributions of our 2SLGBTQIA+ colleagues. It is also an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic intersectional selves. The diversity within our public service is one of our greatest assets; inclusion allows us to understand, value and harness our diversity to drive innovation, empathy and excellence in the service we provide Canadians.

Thank you for your dedication, courage and unwavering support as we work together towards a more diverse, safe and respectful public service.

Happy Public Service Pride Week!

Sincerely,

John Hannaford (he/him)

Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Nathalie G. Drouin, Ad. E. (she/her)

Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister

Christiane Fox (she/her)

Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet

Jason Bett (he/him)

Public Service Pride Champion