On August 31, Regional Vice-President (RVP) Jeff Sandelli met with Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, Ginette Lavack, at her constituency office in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
MP Lavack was provided with an overview of USJE, which represents nearly 20,000 federal Public Safety Personnel (PSP) across 17 departments. It was emphasized that USJE members work from coast to coast to coast, delivering both frontline and support services that help keep Canadians safe. Many of these public safety roles are not as widely recognized or understood, resulting in members often receiving less recognition and support than they deserve.
Having attended the 2025 USJE World Mental Health Day event on Parliament Hill, MP Lavack was already familiar with USJE and its membership. This foundation led to a productive discussion, during which it was noted that her constituency is located near the Winnipeg Area Parole Office and is home to many USJE members.
MP Lavack expressed appreciation for the important work performed by USJE members and reflected on the impact the World Mental Health Day event had on her. She received an update on the USJE PTSI campaign and reaffirmed her commitment to using her platform to raise awareness about the need for timely, unimpeded access to support for federal PSP affected by PTSI.
The discussion also addressed the Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) and the effects of the federal government’s cuts on USJE members. It was noted that the cuts had left many of our members in an unenviable position to do more with less. It was also conveyed that our members take great pride in their work and often go above and beyond for the sake of maintaining public safety, leading to concerns that these ongoing pressures are unsustainable and may increase the risk of PTSI if not properly addressed.
On the topic of work-life balance, MP Lavack inquired about access to hybrid work arrangements. This led to a discussion on the Treasury Board Secretariat’s current “one-size-fits-all” approach and USJE’s position that a more, nuanced, flexible and individualized assessment model is needed. MP Lavack agreed that greater flexibility is warranted and noted her understanding that current policies disproportionately affect women. This led to a broader discussion about the USJE membership, which includes a significant proportion of women who continue to face equity challenges compared to public safety occupations that have traditionally been male dominated.
MP Lavack was also informed about the USJE Equity Committee-led CR-03/CR-04 campaign, which aims to highlight workplace inequities affecting this group. Comprised primarily of women, CR-03 and CR-04 employees have raised concerns regarding job descriptions, working conditions, training opportunities, career advancement, workload, workplace safety, and wages that fail to keep pace with the cost of living. MP Lavack took a particular interest in this issue and sought additional information regarding the classification and related concerns.
At the conclusion of the meeting, MP Lavack was invited to tour one or more of USJE workplaces and indicated that she would be open to doing so. She expressed appreciation for the work of USJE members and confirmed her willingness to continue supporting their efforts where possible.