The Human Resources Council (HRC) stands as the cornerstone of the federal public service’s human resources (HR) profession, dedicated to fostering excellence and collaboration among HR leaders and professionals of all levels. As the functional community office for HR, we provide key support to heads of HR and practitioners alike. Through frequent meetings, events and SmartShops, we facilitate networking, knowledge-sharing and professional development opportunities. Our overarching goal is to empower the HR Community for success by equipping leaders with strategic support and driving the continuous growth of the HR profession. At the HRC, we are committed to advancing the collective expertise and impact of HR across the Government of Canada, ensuring its vital role in shaping the future of public service.
In This Edition:
- A Message From the HRC Executive Committee & Office
- HR Community Development Updates
- HR Community Managers’ Corner
- Community of Practice Spotlight: Disability Inclusion and Workplace Accommodation Community of Practice
- What’s New?
- Did You Know?
- What’s Upcoming?
- Contact Us
- Subscribe
A Message From the HRC Executive Committee & Office
With the holiday season upon us, let’s take a moment to celebrate the outstanding contributions of our diverse and talented Human Resources (HR) Community. Throughout the year, you have each inspired us with your creative HR solutions, your dedication to client service excellence, and your steadfast commitment to upholding our public service values. Your tireless work as HR professionals and leaders not only enhances the functioning of the public service, but also strengthens the Canadian society we serve.
As you reflect upon 2024, we hope you take pride in all that you have accomplished, both individually and as part of our collective efforts. Our community has achieved remarkable results by reinforcing the HR function’s vital role in advancing key people management priorities.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the season, we hope you can find moments to rest, recharge and celebrate the traditions that bring you joy. The holidays can be a great reminder to indulge in some well-deserved self-care and cherish meaningful time with the connections that matter most.
In the spirit of the new year to come, we encourage you to: commit to continuous learning to deepen your HR knowledge and strengthen your competencies; embrace innovation by leveraging trends and emerging technologies, such as AI, to drive efficiency and impact; and foster collaboration with colleagues across the HR Community to strengthen networks, exchange on ideas and amplify our collective voice.
As we welcome the arrival of 2025, we’re excited about the new connections and unique opportunities the new year will bring. Together, we can build on the momentum of the past year, leading sustainable change in people management and shaping the future of the public service!
On behalf of the HR Council, thank you for your expertise, humanity, passion, resilience and professionalism. We wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season and a fulfilling new year!
The HRC Executive Committee
Renée de Bellefeuille, Vicki Cunliffe, Isabelle Desmartis, Kiran Hanspal, Bradley Harkness, Réa McKay, Nancy Pike, Anne-Marie Ranger
The HRC Executive Office
Aaron Feniak, Stéphane Bélanger, Sébastien Boucher, Yasmine Denis-Benahra, Martine Dupiton, Lyne Landriault, Samantha Menard, Andrée-Michelle Reeves, Rebecca Schingh, Marie-Pierre Tarte, Ashley Weil
HR Community Development Updates
You may already be familiar with the various Human Resources Council (HRC) meetings and events, but are you truly maximizing all the HRC has to offer to support the development of talented professionals like yourself? Read on to find out what we’ve been working on!
We’re Moving!
Due to the sunsetting of GC Articles, the HRC Newsletter and the Updates from the HRC will be published on the our GCXchange page beginning in March 2025. Subscribe to the Newsletter and the Updates today to stay in the loop.
Registration Now Open! “helloHR” Speed Mentoring Event
Attention HR Professionals! 🌟
Don’t miss out on the chance to participate in the Human Resources Council (HRC)’s second annual speed mentoring event for the HR community!
Whether you’re new to HR or a seasoned expert, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn from leaders in your field, boost your professional growth, and expand your network. Additional information on this exciting event may be found below:
- When? January 30, 2025.
- Who? Human resources professionals of all groups and levels are invited to participate as mentees.
- What? Small groups of mentees will meet with one mentor at a time for short, impactful sessions in virtual breakout rooms. Mentees will engage in three rounds of speed mentoring per session to ask questions and gain valuable insights from leaders and senior professionals in the HR Community across a broad range of organizations and areas of expertise.
- Please note: Mentors include HR professionals of various groups and levels ranging from PE-05 to EX-05 (or equivalent). Mentee groups are randomized, so participants will be grouped together with HR professionals of various groups and levels.
- Where? To encourage and accommodate regional participation, the sessions will be held virtually on MS Teams.
Register now to elevate your HR journey in 2025! Please note this event is limited to the first 100 participants to register for each session.
- English session registration for mentees – January 30, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET)
- French session registration for mentees – January 30, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (ET)
Additional information will be shared with participants prior to the sessions. If you have any questions, please reach out to the HR Council at HRCouncil/ConseilRH@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
HR Community Mentoring Contest
It’s that time of year again!
The HR Council is proudly celebrating #MentoringMonth in January with another HR Community Mentoring Contest! Enter now for a chance to be mentored by an experienced HR Leader from the HRC Executive Committee.
This is a great opportunity to rethink mentoring as being an integral part of our collective culture and to explore the different ways that mentoring can take place in our daily work. In 2025, consider dedicating three hours of your learning plan by taking on the role of a mentor or a mentee. The HRC Rethink Mentoring Roadmap recommends a simple 1-2-3 approach to mentorship: one area of focus, between two individuals, over three one-hour sessions. For tips on how to begin your mentoring journey, consult our GCXchange page, then head over to the Career Marketplace to post your interest in mentorship.
Contest details:
This contest will be open from December 13th, 2024 to January 13th, 2025 to all members of the HR Community. Please complete the contest form before it closes on January 13, 2025 for your chance to be mentored by an HRC Executive Committee member!
- This contest is solely open to members of the HR Community across the federal public service (i.e., HR professionals of all groups and levels).
- Winning mentees will be assigned to mentors by the HR Council.
- Mentoring sessions may take place either in-person or virtually, as agreed upon by the mentor and mentee.
- Winners will receive up to three one-hour mentoring sessions with a leader of HR. Actual frequency and total duration of mentoring sessions may be adjusted based on mentor/mentee needs.
Connect With Us on GCXchange
If you’re not a member of HRC’s GCXchange site yet, follow these five steps to unlock a wealth of resources designed specifically for HR professionals of all groups and levels. Whether you’re seeking guidance, tools, or networking opportunities, there’s something for everyone!
The helloHR Platform is an online toolbox of self-directed informational and developmental resources for all members of the HR Community! Save this page in your favourites so you don’t miss out on essential and up-to-date resources for HR professionals. Check out the new resources recently added to the Platform:
- Announcements About the Archiving, Replacement, and Redesign of CSPS Learning Products: where you can keep informed of important updates to assist you in updating your organization’s learning and development products and initiatives.
- HR Acronyms Dictionary: where you’ll find a detailed list of HR acronyms, designed specifically for HR professionals in the Canadian public service.
HR Community Managers’ Corner
This section of the HRC Newsletter highlights training, tools, best practices and practical advice for managers (including supervisors and team leads) in the HR function.
All Profiles Updated as of December 2024: Experienced Former HR Professional Inventory
Ensuring that our community recruitment initiatives remain useful and up-to-date remains a top priority for the HRC. This fall, we contacted each retiree in the Experienced Former HR Professional Inventory to confirm their continued interest and provide their updated date of availability. As of early December, the inventory solely features HR retirees who have recently validated their profiles.
If you are looking for ways to strengthen the skills of your HR team and achieve your business objectives more effectively, act now to leverage the expertise of an experienced HR retiree! Visit the HR Council’s GCXchange page to explore the refreshed inventory and submit a referral request by e-mail.
Are you an HR professional nearing retirement?
The inventory remains open for HR retirees to submit their profiles and it will be updated on a regular basis. Apply today!
Are you connected with the National Managers’ Community (NMC)?
The NMC is a federal horizontal network that seeks to amplify the voice and support the more than 40,000 managers who deliver thousands of government programs and services, oversee HR management and report to senior management on value to Canadians.
- Check out the upcoming NMC events to add to your calendar.
- Sign up for the NMC News!
HR Job Board
Advertise and/or explore HR opportunities on Career Marketplace!
For hiring managers:
Take advantage of the Career Marketplace to quickly match your at-level mobility (i.e. micro-missions, assignments, deployments, etc.) and development (i.e. mentoring and job shadowing) opportunities with interested employees. A variety of resources and tutorials are available to guide you in promoting your opportunities on the Marketplace.
For job seekers:
- Senior Data Analyst/Team Lead (EC-05) – deployment
- Learning Specialist (EDS -03) – assignment/secondment
Community of Practice Spotlight
Did you know that there are now 20+ communities of practice (CoPs) established across the various HR disciplines to facilitate collaboration towards a common goal of excellence in people management? Check out the incredible work of this edition’s featured CoP below!
Disability Inclusion and Workplace Accommodation Community of Practice (DIWA)
The Disability Inclusion and Workplace Accommodation Community of Practice brings together a membership of HR and other workplace professionals in the federal public service who perform daily activities related to disability management, duty to accommodate and accessibility within their organization.
This dynamic community is designed for members, by members, to share best practices, stay updated on emerging issues, and foster a culture of excellence in supporting employees and managers.
Guided by an executive committee drawn from its own membership and coordinated by a dedicated team of co-chairs, the community thrives on collaboration and shared knowledge. Members can look forward to a return to quarterly meetings starting in early 2025, which will ensure everyone stays informed and connected.
The mandate of this community of practice is to:
- Discuss and share disability management, duty to accommodate and accessibility information, best practices and tools through group meetings and the use of the electronic tools;
- Provide integrated and collaborative leadership on disability management, duty to accommodation and accessibility issues, challenges, priorities and trends within the federal public service (including development of new and revised strategies, tools, guidelines and policies);
- Elicit and foster participation, conversations, way-forward initiatives, and priorities on accessibility; and
- Plan and organize interdepartmental learning activities for the community of practice.
Interested in learning more?
Visit the Disability Inclusion and Workplace Accommodation page on GC Connex or reach out to the Chair, Elizabeth Ann Ellis via email at elizabethann.ellis@justice.gc.ca.
What’s New?
Linguistic Profiles of Bilingual Supervisory Positions in Bilingual Regions
As you probably know, this past fall, the President of the Treasury Board approved an increase to the minimum second-language proficiency requirements for bilingual positions involving the supervision of employees occupying positions in bilingual regions. The minimum requirements will increase from the BBB to the CBC level for departments within the core public administration, or to an equivalent level for institutions that are not required to use the Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages.
To limit the operational impact of this change, the minimum CBC (or equivalent) requirement will apply only to new appointments, as of June 20, 2025. The linguistic profiles of bilingual supervisory positions held by incumbents who do not meet the new requirement before June 20, 2025, will be increased only when these positions become vacant or are filled by a new appointment.
Various tools to support institutions in implementing this policy change have been shared with official languages experts within your institutions and are available on the Official Languages Centre of Excellence GCwiki page. They include a guidance document, a frequently asked questions document, as well as key messages and sample emails to help institutions communicate the policy change internally.
We also encourage you to turn to the Language Training Hub for tools and resources to support second official language learning and retention. The hub includes guidelines, launched in June 2024, to help federal institutions provide equitable access to language training for all employees who wish to develop or maintain their second official language skills.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the person responsible for official languages in your institution.
New Procedure for Candidates Requesting Assessment Accommodations
Starting January 2025, candidates invited to take the Test of Reading Comprehension and the Test of Written Expression, whether supervised or unsupervised, will be required to submit their assessment accommodation requests themselves directly through the Candidate Assessment Tool (CAT).
This approach will allow candidates to independently submit their assessment accommodation request, monitor the request status and update their profile, while removing the need for HR specialists to do so on their behalf. Once this functionality is activated, HR specialists will no longer be able to submit assessment accommodation requests for those two tests in the Assessment Accommodation Request System.
We expect this feature to also be available for the Oral Language Assessment in the spring of 2025.
Decommissioning of GCconnex
On April 1, 2025, GCXchange will officially replace GCconnex as the Government of Canada’s new and improved collaboration space.
GCconnex will enter a read-only mode on January 27, 2025. Community owners will still be able to migrate their content to GCXchange without losing any valuable information when the site is in read-only mode, but they won’t be able to add anything new. Please copy or download your content to your new GCXchange community before GCconnex is retired on April 1, 2025.
What does this mean for the HR Council’s GCconnex page?
Our GCconnex page will no longer be updated as of January 27, 2025, so be sure to join us on the HRC GCXchange page. Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of resources designed specifically for HR professionals of all groups and levels. If you’re not a member yet, follow these five steps to help us grow our GCXchange community to 5,000 members by March 31, 2025. Remember, only members can access our complete library of documents.
Why GCXchange?
GCXchange is more than just a replacement—it’s a smarter, more efficient way to collaborate. With familiar tools like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, you’ll be able to create and join communities, work on documents in real time, and share updates across organizations with ease. It’s everything you need, all in one place, designed to make your workday smoother.
What about the Career Marketplace?
One of GCconnex’s most popular features, the Career Marketplace, is moving to GCXchange as well. You’ll still be able to explore career development opportunities, connect with mentors, and browse postings across the GC.
How do I get started?
It’s easy! Visit GCXchange today to set up your community, familiarize yourself with the new features, and start collaborating like never before. Not registered yet? No problem! Visit the GCXchange registration page to get started and create your GCXchange community now. If you need any assistance with the move or have questions, reach out to the GC Collaboration Tools Team at: support-soutien@gcx-gce.gc.ca.
Did You Know?
Have Your Say: 2024 Public Service Employee Survey
The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) is running until December 31, 2024. This year, 92 departments and agencies are participating and the results are scheduled to be released in Summer 2025.
If you work in HR, don’t forget to identify yourself as a member of the HR Community!
The PSES results can provide us with valuable insight to the health and interests of the HR Community across the public service. Make your opinion count by selecting ‘Human Resources’ to Question 103: “With which of the following communities do you most closely identify in relation to your current job?“.
Fall HRC SmartShop Recordings
If you weren’t able to attend the HRC SmartShop on Advancing True Diversity in the Hybrid Workplace Effective Solutions for Persons with Disabilities, you’re in luck! The recording is available in English and French.
Previous HRC SmartShop recordings and documents are available on the HRC’s GCXchange page.
In Case You Missed It…
- Publication of three reports on staffing trends for employment equity groups and the launch of a new data visualization, the Diversity and Inclusion Compass: Three reports on staffing trends for employment equity groups were released at the end of November on the Open Government Portal. These reports explore differences between members of employment equity groups and their comparator groups in terms of the citizenship status of applicants and appointments, trends in advertised versus non-advertised appointments and differences in separation trends.
- The Diversity and Inclusion Compass highlights the change over time in representation and upward mobility for employment equity group members showing whether organizations are making improvements.
- Data Visualization Hub quarterly update: The Public Service Commission (PSC) wishes to inform you of the latest update to its Data Visualization Hub, which now contains the most recent quarterly data for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The following products have been updated:
- The PSC Staffing Dashboard, which provides a wealth of information on HR activities for your organization.
- The Applications Forecasting Tool estimates the number of applications per job advertisement.
- The Time to staff (TTS) by organization tracks the time elapsed between the launch of a job advertisement and the appointment of an employee.
- The Dashboard for Public Service Commission of Canada investigations provides information on the number and types of investigation cases handled by the PSC.
- Official publication of the Accessible Employment standard: The CAN/ASC-1.1:2024 – Employment standard has been recognized as a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada and is now available.
- This standard provides a set of guidelines that aim to remove employment-related barriers caused by systems or individual actions. The standard includes best practices that will help organizations create accessible and inclusive workplaces, from recruitment to professional development. This will ensure that people with disabilities can access more job opportunities, contribute fully to the economy, and thrive.
- For more information, check out the news release and standard summary.
Upgrade Your Digital Competencies
Digital Skills Events and Resources
Understanding AI Safety in Government (DDN1-A03)
This article explores artificial intelligence (AI) safety and suggests practical actions that can be taken to ensure the responsible use of AI systems.
February 19-20: GC Data Conference 2025: Empowering Insight and Action
The GC Data Conference, now in its ninth year, is the primary forum for public servants and data leaders to increase awareness, share knowledge, and be inspired by data innovations from across the Government of Canada and beyond.
With the theme of “Empowering Insight and Action,” this year’s conference will explore how people play an active role in strengthening data stewardship, how enhancing data knowledge can support the progression from data literacy to data fluency, and how the government is unlocking scientific data for the benefit of Canadians and the planet.
Hybrid | Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages.
Transition of Busrides.ca Content to CSPS Catalogue Platform
The CSPS Digital Academy is pleased to announce that Busrides.ca content has moved to a new permanent home within the School’s learning catalogue. This transition ensures that the valuable insights and knowledge shared through Busrides.ca will continue to be accessible in a more streamlined and user-friendly manner.
Check out their latest article: Exploring Iterative Approaches in Program and Service Delivery (DDN2-A49) – CSPS
What’s Upcoming?
2024 Government of Canada HR Excellence Awards
Stay tuned for the 2024 HR Excellence Awards call for nominations in early 2025!
LearnX 2025: Igniting Passion and Commitment to Advance Learning in the Government of Canada
January 15, 2025: LearnX is an annual conference for learning practitioners that offers a valuable opportunity for instructional designers, trainers, facilitators and other leaders in learning to stay ahead of the latest trends, demands and technologies. This fifth anniversary event will showcase how committing to developing new digital skills and finding one’s passion are essential for delivering transformative learning experiences.
Participants will make new connections, gain actionable insights and learn from real-world success stories from influential voices on the following themes:
- Influencing Learning and Development in a Time of Resource Constraints: Explore innovative strategies to drive impactful initiatives even when resources are limited.
- Leading Learning and Development with Data-Driven Decisions: Discover the power of data to transform your strategy and initiatives.
- Embracing Learning and Development in the AI and Technology Revolution: Step into the future of learning and development by embracing the latest advancements in AI and technology.
For more information: LearnX 2025: Agenda – wiki.
HRC SmartShops
Stay tuned on GCXchange for upcoming SmartShops and recordings!
Events of Interest for the HR Community
Mark your calendars for a variety of interesting and informative events coming up this winter!
December 17 – Being Curious as a Public Servant
This event will explore the significance of curiosity and its effects on the role of public servants, including how they provide advice and expertise, innovate and continuously learn in their efforts to improve program and service delivery for Canadians.
Virtual | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (ET) | English, with interpretation in French
December 18 – Facing Forward: Canada’s Adaptability in a Changing World
This forward-looking event places the spotlight on the new book, The Adaptable Country: How Canada Can Survive the Twenty-First Century, by Alasdair Roberts, the 2022–2023 Jocelyne Bourgon Visiting Scholar and Professor of Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which explores the urgent need for adaptability in Canada’s political and administrative system.
Hybrid | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (ET) | English, with interpretation in French
December 20 – The Repercussions of False Indigenous Identity Claims
This event will explore the cultural, social, economic and political repercussions of false Indigenous identity claims and how they undermine the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to preserve their heritage, access vital resources, and assert their rights.
Virtual | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET) | English, with interpretation in French
January 14 & 15 – Career Boot Camp Speed Mentoring 2025
WHAT: These 90-minute sessions of virtual, structured speed mentoring, will allow groups of 4-5 mentees to meet with one mentor for 20 minutes at a time (through Zoom breakout rooms). There will be three rounds of networking per session.
WHO: All public servants are invited to be mentees.
WHEN:
- Session 1 (English): Tuesday, January 14 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. EST
- Session 2 (French): Wednesday, January 15 from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Online, via Zoom.
January 16 – A Day in the Life of a First Nations Band Administrator
This event features a panel of First Nations band administrators who will share their professional experiences, discuss the complexities of their work, offer best practices, and provide insight into the evolving landscape of First Nations communities and their administration.
Virtual | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET) | English, with interpretation in French
January 21, 23, 28 & 30 – Career Boot Camp 2025
Hosted by the Federal Youth Network (FYN), Career Boot Camp 2025 is your gateway to unlocking the secrets of building a successful career in the federal public service. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take the leap of faith and become a manager, this virtual conference strives to equip you with the tools, knowledge, and connections you need. This year’s program includes:
- Navigating Values and Ethics in Professional Life: explore the essential role of values and ethics in the workplace and learn how to uphold integrity in your professional life.
- Crafting Your Digital Persona: A Hands-On LinkedIn Workshop: acquire hands-on skills to enhance your LinkedIn profile, effectively building a professional brand that attracts career opportunities and showcases your professional achievements.
- Tough Talks for Career Growth: Mastering Difficult Conversations: develop strategies to confidently handle challenging workplace conversations, from career changes to performance feedback, with professionalism and empathy, fostering a constructive work environment.
- Understanding Global Work Cultures: engage with international speakers who will share insights into diverse work cultures and future visions, emphasizing the value of global perspectives in shaping your professional outlook.
- Unlock Your Potential: Connecting Passion and Skills with Career Development: explore self-reflection techniques to understand your strengths, skills, and values, and make informed career choices that align with your personal and professional goals.
- Career Advancement in Your Region: Advocacy & Strategies for Success: examine how regional employees can leverage self-advocacy to thrive professionally, overcoming geographical challenges to achieve career success.
Location: virtual (attend from anywhere!)
Cost: FREE
Registration: now open!
February 10 to 12 – Rising 2025: Black Excellence and Canadian Policy
In partnership with the Black Executives Network and the Federal Black Employee Caucus, this 3-day conference will bring together government officials, community leaders, and subject matter experts to discuss the progress on Canada’s policies, programs and initiatives implemented since 2018 under the UN Decade’s pillars of recognition, justice, and development. Outcomes from this conference will be used to inform and bring about new insights to future initiatives for Black communities in Canada.
Hybrid | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (ET) | Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Important and Commemorative Dates
December
- December 17: Anti-Bullying Day
January
- Tamil Heritage Month
- January 24: World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture
- January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
- January 29: National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia
February
February is Black History Month, when people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.
- February 15: National Flag of Canada Day
- February 21: International Mother Language Day
- February 28: Pink Shirt Day
Contact Us
Do you have any HR-related questions, news or initiatives that you would like to share in the next HRC Newsletter? We always love hearing from the community!
Get in touch with our team at: HRCouncil/ConseilRH@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
Don’t forget to follow the HRC on GCXchange for the latest updates!
