Newsletter
10-year Facilitation Recognition
Two facilitators have been recognized recently for ten years of dedication to the Joint Learning Program (JLP).
- Prairies and Northwest Territories
Corrinne Mitchell, Acting Regional Field Coordinator for the Prairies and Northwest Territories Region surprised Lindsey Sparks as he was delivering his 28th workshop, on March 6, 2014.
Mr. Sparks was a Client Relations/Learning Officer with the Department of Agriculture an Agri-food, in Winnipeg. He is now a Regional Representative with the Public Service Alliance of Canada. He has been a facilitator with the JLP since 2003.
Corrinne Mitchell and Lindsey Sparks - British Columbia and Yukon Territory Region
Karla Backer, Regional Field Coordinator (RFC), British Columbia and Yukon Territory Region, was recognized during the Mental Health in the Workplace Pilot Session, in Ottawa.
Ms. Backer has been with the JLP since 2003 but in the role of an RFC since 2009. She has delivered 24 workshops since 2006.
Pierre Millette and Karla Backer
International Women's Day
International Women's Day was celebrated March 7, 2014 at the Holiday Inn Harborview in Dartmouth. This year's theme was “Inspiring Change: Women's Equality.”
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past,present and future. Joint Learning Program Atlantic was an exhibitor and offered a workshop simulation from its Respecting Differences / Anti-discrimination kit.
Participants in action during a learning activity
Mental Health in the Workplace Workshop Pilot Sessions
Pilot sessions for the Mental Health in the Workplace workshop are now finished. The Joint Learning Program (JLP) is finalizing the kit content for the official launch on June 9, 2014. The JLP held three pilot sessions in the last two months.
> STAKEHOLDERS' PILOT
One and half-day pilot was delivered, on February 26 and 27, to a group representing the key stakeholders. These included representatives from the Unions and the Employer, and experts in the field of mental health. The primary focus of the pilot with the stake holders was to ensure that the content has been vetted and that the core activities have been identified.
Some participants to the Stakeholders’ Pilot
> FACILITATORS’ PILOTS
Two three-day pilot workshops were delivered to groups of active JLP facilitators. The primary focus of the Facilitators’ Pilots was to assess the learning approach, materials and flow of the workshop. The secondary focus was to validate the workshop framework. The participants also received training offered by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Participants to the English Facilitators’ Pilot form March 18 to 20
Participants during a learning activity of the French Facilitators' Pilot,
held from March 25 to 27
The next step before the launch will be the delivery of a three-day clinic in each JLP region. The purpose of the clinics is two folds:
- To familiarize JLP facilitators with the new workshop kit and to support their readiness to deliver it on behalf of the JLP
- To equip facilitators to recognize the signs of the mental health problems/distress and to understand the steps involved to initially support that individual. This will be achieved by the delivery of the Mental health First Aid 12-hour training course.
The clinics will be held as follow:
- in the National Capital on May 21 to 23
- in Ontario & Nunavut on May 27 to 29
- in the Atlantic on June 3 to 5
- in British Columbia & Yukon on June 3 to 5
- in the Prairies & Northwest Territories on June 17 to 19
- in Quebec on June 17 to 19
Public Service Alliance of Canada British Columbia Regional Convention
The Joint Learning Program British Columbia and Yukon Region had a kiosk on April 25 and 26 at the occasion of the Public Service Alliance of Canada British Columbia Regional Convention.
Many facilitators including Michael Ballard, Shawn Ewing, Kelly Sidhu, Kelly Megysi, Jessica Kerek, Carolyn McGillivray, and Christine Walker stopped by to receive information about the upcoming Mental Health in the Workplace workshop. A number of repeat organizers including Michele Wong and Alistair Crawford from Transport Canada, Marcelo Lazaro from Department of National Defence, and Nicole Jeffries from Service Canada, to name a few, also paid a visit to the kiosk.
Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding with Veterans Affairs Canada
The Joint Learning Program (JLP) recently renewed its agreement with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), Atlantic Region and the Union of Veterans’ Affairs Employees.
The purpose of this agreement is to provide VAC employees with a positive, healthy and respectful workplace. The parties agreed to deliver 12 JLP’s workshops on creating a harassment-free workplace, employment equity, understanding the collective agreement, duty to accommodate and respecting differences/anti-discrimination to VAC employees and managers. The agreement covers the period of January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2016.
Strategic partnerships allow departments to benefit from JLP expertise and material in order to offer important training to many of their employees. Strategic partnerships are still active today in the areas of employment equity, workplace diversity, union-management consultation, and harassment prevention and resolution. For more information, contact the regional coordinators for the JLP in your region.
Asian Heritage Month
May is Asian Heritage Month. This acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. It also provides an opportunity for Canadians across the country to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage to the growth and prosperity of Canada.
Canada’s cultural diversity strengthens the country socially, politically and economically in innumerable ways. Asian Heritage Month is an occasion for all to celebrate the beauty and wisdom of various Asian cultures.
Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1979. Over the past decade, many Asians in Canada have begun to celebrate their heritage during the month of May. In December 2001, the Senate adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.
Canadians are invited to take part in the events that honour the legacy of Canadians of Asian heritage. It is a time to participate in festivities across the country that celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage, who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we know today.
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
The North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) will take place from May 4 to May 10, 2014. This week presents an opportunity to focus on, reinforce and strengthen Joint Learning Program commitment to healthy worplaces with its workshops on harassment-free workplace, duty to accommodate and mental health in the workplace.
NAOSH Week is held in Canada, the United States and Mexico, and focuses on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace. It also increases understanding and awareness of occupational safety and health issues.
Upcoming Activities
The upcoming activities for the Joint Learning Program community are:
- Public Service Alliance of Canada National Capital Regional Convention on May 8 to 10
- APEX Convention on June 3 and 4
- 49 workshops up to the end of May
- Facilitators’ Orientation Session in Atlantic on September 22 to 26 in Halifax
- Facilitators’ Orientation Session in Ontario/Nunavut on October 20 to 24 in Toronto
- Facilitators’ Orientation Session in Quebec on November 3 to 7 in Montreal
- Facilitators’ Orientation Session in National Capital on December 8 to 12 in Ottawa
- Facilitators’ Orientation Session in Prairies/Northwest Territories on January 12 to 16, 2015 in Winnipeg
- Facilitators’ Orientation Session in British Columbia/Yukon on Febraury 9 to 13, 2015 in Vancouver