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Statement by UNE National President following the Radio-Canada Article on Racism and Discrimination within CIRNAC, ISC and CanNor

March 15, 2021

The Radio-Canada investigation about racism and discrimination within departments dedicated to services towards First Nations, Inuit and Métis is not news to UNE.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNAC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) still operate on a postcolonial-based approach.

The dramatic staffing situations and the abject lack of career progression opportunities that our Indigenous members are facing, while working in these departments, and regional development agencies, illustrate a disconnect with realities of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s public service and lack of recognition of their work.

We are encouraged to see that upper management is fully aware of the situation and plans to address it.

UNE will always be there to defend their members against racism, discrimination and any form of harassment within these federal workplaces.

Promoting Indigenous voices to deliver services in Indigenous communities across the country will be a breath of fresh air within the federal public service and UNE offers to be involved in the planning process to make it happen, at all of these work locations throughout Canada; from coast to coast, to coast.

Kevin King
UNE National President

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Statement from UNE National President Kevin King following Cabinet Shuffle

UNE congratulates both Jane Philpott and Seamus O’Regan on their respective appointments in today’s federal cabinet shuffle.

Minister Philpott, who has been vice-chair of the Treasury Board cabinet committee, will have to restore collective bargaining negotiations and show commitment with respect to the next generation of the pay system for federal employees after the Phoenix fiasco.

Minister O’Regan is appointed to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), which is a new federal department. We hope the minister will be able to address the serious occupational health and safety issues that our members are facing on a daily basis in their workplace.

UNE looks forward to working with both Minister Philpott and Minister O’Regan.

Kevin King
UNE National President


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Health and Safety Challenges in Sick Buildings for ISC and CIRNAC

On October 31, 2018, UNE National President Kevin King attended a labour management meeting with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) along with other unions whose members work at Les Terrasses de la Chaudière in Gatineau, QC.

They discussed some pressing health and safety issues:

1. Floor related infractions (fire codes, water fountains); as outlined by ESDC’s Labour Program
2. Compliance with the Canada Labour Code – qualification of the person to report air quality;
3. Employer failed to provide information on a timely basis to the local Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Committee.

On the 19th floor, there are currently 178 workspaces where the capacity for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is only 105. The employer is moving some employees to the 6th floor where there is a new HVAC system. Priority will be given to pregnant women and those with respiratory issues,

On the 6th floor of 15/25 Eddy, there are issues with windows, air quality and mold resulting in the need to move approximately 230 employees. There is also work needed to identify the root causes of headaches, nausea and other symptoms that a lot of employees on the same floor are experiencing. Investigations are underway to determine the cause.

The department is working with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions (BGIS) on a massive action plan and OHS inspection.

At the meeting, Kevin King voiced his extreme displeasure with the lack of plain language communication between the employer and its employees. He is very concerned about the available swing space compliance and proposed improved consultation with unions and employees to find solutions together.

“We are pushing for more consultation with building OHS committees involving several departments. The issue of sick buildings isn’t limited to these departments,” said King. “These workplaces should be safe enough not only to employ our members, but also house government daycare programs for children. We hope to schedule town hall meetings for all occupants of the building as well as their bargaining agents.”