Thank you for showing up and Being your authentic self at work during the fourth annual Public Service Pride Week (PSPW) (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website)!

PSPW is an initiative that started at the grassroots level of the public service and is now a key component of the Government’s approach to inclusion in the workplace. It is still necessary today to highlight the importance of inclusion and respect, and to create safe spaces for people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions to be their most authentic selves.

Pride Season, and the Public Service Pride Week, are important moments to remind ourselves of our commitment to create a safer and positive space by supporting each other and celebrating diversity in Canada and within the Defence Team. This past week, various events across the country were held promoting and strengthening LGBTQ2+ diversity, inclusion and pride in the federal public service and amongst serving members. During the Pride flag-raising event at NDHQ Carling, we showcased the solid military and civilian relationship unique to DND/CAF and reflected in the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (DTPAO) by forming a human rainbow!

I would like to echo what Major André Jean, National Military Co-chair of the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization, said during this event:

“Each person who joined us to form this rainbow makes us proud, this pride gives us this inner strength and the necessary courage to be able to continue to break down the barriers and discrimination that our communities experience. And at the same time to contribute to the change of the evolution of our culture.”

Yesterday was the culmination of PSPW with the Public Service Pride Awards ceremony (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website), and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the nominees and winners. Particularly, I applaud and thank the members of our Defence community who distinguished themselves: Michelle Blackhouse, the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization, and Michelle Douglas, you’ve taken meaningful steps towards building a safer and more inclusive public service, community, and country.

You can watch—or re-watch—the ceremony on the Public Service Pride Network YouTube channel (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website).

As always, I encourage you to get in touch with the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (accessible only on the National Defence network) and the Positive Space Program (accessible only on the National Defence network), and to be committed every day to demonstrating respect for the dignity of all persons. Beyond parades and summer festivals, we can all be very proud of being our true selves, and contributing to one of Canada’s greatest strengths: a diverse and inclusive nation.

It has been an honour to be the Defence Team’s inaugural LGBTQ2+ Champion. As I prepare to retire from military service in a few weeks, I have been reflecting on where we were 39 years ago when I joined the CAF and where we are now. Back then, I and many others could not bring our authentic selves to work. Through the years, I have witnessed the changes this institution is capable of when leaders commit to their roles and set the tone by leading through example. I challenge everyone, regardless of the role you have in this vital organization, to commit to respecting and supporting those who have volunteered to join the Defence Team so they can be their authentic selves and contribute to our critical mission. Canada deserves the best from us, let’s give it.

 

Thank you to all who participated in this year’s PSPW events!

RAdm Luc Cassivi CMM, CD