Question Period Note: Correctional Officers Concerns and Request for Pandemic Pay

The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO) issued a news release regarding a series of issues affecting Correctional Officers during the pandemic, including feeling “disrespected”. They are also calling for the attention of the Minister of Public Safety on these issues.

Health Measures Throughout the Pandemic

• The Correctional Service of Canada is committed to protecting the health and safety of staff, offenders, and the public during these unprecedented times.
• We recognize and are very proud of the exceptional work of correctional staff throughout this pandemic.
• We recognize there are unique risks and challenges of working in a correctional setting. These are factored into the overall salary levels for such workers.
• While there has been no specific wage premium extended to federal employees due to the pandemic, the Treasury Board of Canada has provided additional paid leave to all employees, including correctional officers.
• The Correctional Service of Canada continues to work with its labour partners and stakeholders to make operational decisions related to the pandemic.
• The views of employees are important and we take these into account, along with public health advice, as we make changes at our workplaces across Canada.
• We will continue to evolve our approach based on the latest evidence and science while working to support our front line workers for the work they do to keep Canadians safe.

If Pressed - Drug Trafficking Strategies and Body Scanners

• The Correctional Service of Canada has a zero tolerance approach to illicit drug trafficking and takes action to prevent, detect and apprehend all contraband using a range of tools.

• Currently, drone detectors are utilized in all regions of the country and a number of high profile seizures have occurred over the past year.

• Additionally, CSC is working to further enhance its technology and ground detection systems to prevent contraband introduction.

• Drone detection is only one layer of defence, and the Service remains committed to the introduction of body scanners and other new technology, in order to better facilitate the detection of contraband.

UCCO-SACC-CSN is a main union group representing many front line Correctional Officers. They have announced that they will be hosting a press conference on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. This is additional to a letter writing campaign which was instituted early this year.
The union has criticized the Minister of Public Safety regarding a series of issues affecting Correctional Service Canada (CSC) officers. They are now beginning a campaign to cover their uniform badges with black ribbon.
According to UCCO, since last October the union has attempted to speak with the Minister of Public Safety about four main points that constitute threats to their health and safety of front-line officers. They note that the current minister is the only one, in the 20-year history of the union, that has not agreed to meet with representatives of its 7,500 employees.
Four main points are expected to be raised.
1. The impact of the pandemic, including overtime, PPE requirements, treatment of sick claims and testing protocols
2. Increasing issues with respect to violence in CSC institutions and perceived harassment of staff by management
3. An increase in drug availability among offenders, as a result of the advent of contraband deliveries by drones.
4. Lack of progress in equipping federal penitentiaries with body scanners.

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