On behalf of the entire USJE family, I would like to express my deep condolences to our members in Nova Scotia and across Canada who have been touched by this senseless tragedy.
USJE’s family includes thousands of public service employees working for both the RCMP and the Correctional Service of Canada in hundreds of detachments, federal Correctional facilities and community parole offices.
Tragically, RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson died in the line of duty during this past weekend’s mass murder in Nova Scotia. Federal Correctional employees Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins – who worked at Springhill Institution and Nova Institution for Women, respectively, were also among the 19 who have been confirmed murdered. As a labour movement, and a country, we are grieving.
During these extraordinarily stressful times, USJE members continue to work in 17 different agencies and departments each and every day to keep Canadians safe. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the work of some of our members far more challenging, but we are proud of the dedication and commitment that so many have demonstrated during these extraordinary times.
Given the already very difficult circumstances under which many Canadians are working and living, the tragedy in Nova Scotia is that much more heart wrenching. Every one of USJE’s approximately 17,000 members have been touched in one way or another by this devastating development. Our hearts are with Nova Scotia during this period.