2021-01-11 | Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister, SC
Dear colleagues,
As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise rapidly in many parts of Canada, provinces, territories and public health authorities across the country are responding by increasing restrictions and strengthening control measures. public health.
In the fight against COVID-19, it is essential that we all play our part. We are writing to all of you today to stress the importance of continuing to be vigilant in respecting public health measures.
We must do all we can to limit the spread of the virus, including continuing to prioritize remote work for Health Canada employees and allowing on-site work only when necessary. The nature of the restrictions varies depending on where you live in the country and the situation in your region. Employees who have worked on-site should be aware of the public health guidelines in effect in their region. In cases where restrictions have been re-imposed, managers and employees should discuss the need to arrange for remote work, if the work is not to be performed on site.
We see every day how Health Canada employees continue to give the best of themselves to Canada and to Canadians while managing the pressures of work and family life. The imposition of new public health restrictions could affect the ability of some employees to perform their duties. With school closures in some areas, for example, some employees may have to care for school-aged children. As always, employees and managers are encouraged to review the information found on the Employee Sickness and Leave page on Canada.ca. If employees have questions or concerns, they should discuss them with their manager. Managers should consult Labor Relations, as this will help us ensure a consistent approach to the use of the various types of leave, such as the use of Code 699 and leaves for family responsibilities.
The Government of Canada has indicated that travel abroad should only be taken for essential reasons. We invite you to review the Official warnings for travelers abroad. It is strongly recommended that all persons, whether employed or not, follow these warnings. At Health Canada, we will continue to limit work-related overseas travel, with any exceptions requiring approval at the vice-president level.
As employees of Health Canada, we have the opportunity to act as public health ambassadors to our friends and families. We can set an example of the behaviors we want to see across the country. We can be the credible source of information on vaccines and public health measures and their importance in the fight against COVID-19.
Be aware of your personal actions and decisions during these difficult times. Our actions matter.
As always, we thank you for your exceptional work and your commitment to serving Canadians.
Stephen Lucas,
Ph. D. Deputy Minister
Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar
Associate Deputy Minister
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