News

A PAFSO member won a Public Service Health Care Plan appeal confirming that gender-affirming care covered by provincial plans falls under the Basic Health Care Provision: reimbursed at 100%, with no cap and no country-of-residence limit. GAC will review VDP seniority calculations on request, and members can register for the May 12 collective bargaining breakfast with Chief Negotiator Paul Raven.

In this update

• Update on Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
• Important Victory Regarding PSHCP Coverage for Gender Affirming Care
• PAFSO Breakfast on Collective Bargaining with PAFSO Chief Negotiator Paul Raven
• Social Media Survey
• AmbCanada Luncheon & Talk with Philippe Rheault – May 14
• PAFSO Insurance Program

More FS-03s volunteered for departure than GAC’s quota of 50, so acceptances are based on years of service, with letters expected by the end of April and no SERLO needed; FS-04s choosing the VDP are also receiving acceptance letters. Employees with ERI eligibility letters have until July 24, 2026 to apply, and the Pension Centre can advise on individual situations.

In this update

• Update on Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
• Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)
• Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN) Mixer
• PAFSO Breakfast with FS author Christy Climenhage
• Continued Conflict in the Middle East

The Voluntary Departure Period at GAC closed March 31, and the department appeared set to meet its FS-03 reduction target without a SERLO. Approved applicants will receive confirmation letters before the end of April, and FS-04s not taking the VDP will get opting letters before summer 2027. Paul Raven is the new Labour Relations Team Leader and Chief Negotiator.

In this update

• Update on Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
• Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)
• New Labour Relations Team Lead
• REMINDER - PAFSO Breakfast with author Christy Climenhage on April 14 at 0900 Ottawa time
• Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN) Mixer – April 15, 1700 – 1900
• Continued Conflict in the Middle East
• AMBCanada Luncheon and Talk (live streamed) with Jim Mitchell – April 14, 2026

The President says GAC’s and IRCC’s 2026–27 Departmental Plans pair global ambitions with deep cuts, including over $560 million in GAC operating reductions and the elimination of the FS-04 pool, which PAFSO opposes. The March 31 Voluntary Departure deadline is approaching, and members are reminded that overtime (Article 15) and standby pay (Article 17) still apply during budget pressures.

In this update

• Release of Departmental Plans
• Work Force Adjustment (WFA)
• Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)
• Conflict in the Middle East
• Reminder: overtime and other provisions in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• PAFSO Website
• PAFSO Breakfast with author Christy Climenhage on April 14 at 0900 Ottawa time

GAC has extended the Voluntary Departure deadline to March 31, after which decisions cannot be changed. The President served notice to bargain on March 2, freezing the current collective agreement, which expires in June; negotiations should begin in the fall. New deputy ministers at GAC and IRCC are also announced.

In this update

• Work Force Adjustment
• Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)
• Collective Bargaining
• The Situation in the Middle East
• New Deputy Ministers
• Amb Canada Authors Event: In Person and Online
• International Women’s Day (IWD) – March 8
• Updated Self-Identification (Self-ID) Questionnaire and Application

The President reminds members to register for the February 23 PAFSO breakfast with GAC’s Antoine Chevrier and Ann Flanagan Whalen on Foreign Service careers after the CER. Also flagged: a CDFN online café on February 25, Black History Month events, the February 25 application deadline for the $1,000 C.J. Scott Memorial Award, and PAFSO’s insurance programs.

In this update

• Canadian Diplomatic Family Network (CDFN) Online Members' Café
• Black History Month
• C.J. Scott Memorial Award in International Relations and Diplomacy
• PAFSO Insurance Program

Affected members have until March 18 to decide on Transition Support Measures; if more than 50 FS-03s step forward, seniority decides who leaves. Most employees must return to the office four days a week from July 6, and PAFSO is pressing for flexibility. An NJC Travel Directive arbitration raises dependant care and incidental allowances as of March 28, 2026.

In this update

• Return to Office Announcement
• Black History Month
• Collective Bargaining
• Travel Directive - Arbitration Decisions
• PAFSO Breakfast on the Future of FS Careers at GAC on Monday, 23 February at 0800
• Memorial for David Malone
• Resources