Important: The GCConnex decommission will not affect GCCollab or GCWiki. Thank you and happy collaborating!
National Managers' Community (NMC)/ Newsletter / October 2025
Lire la version en français ici
In this edition
NMC Insight
Events and Celebrations
- Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month
- Leading Through Technological Change
- CSPS Virtual Café Series: A Conversation on Mental Health with Dr. Bill Howatt
- Leader Conversations
- Responsible Use of AI for Managers
Spotlight on Resources
Regional News
Prairies & Northwest Territories
- Managers’ Connect Event in Montréal
- Towards Greater Well-Being Through Movement: A Challenge to take on together – Coming soon!
NMC Insight
Managers Engaged and Inspired!
Our latest session in the Top 3 Things Managers Should Know About… series drew a strong turnout of managers from across the country. Participants described the session as inspiring, useful, encouraging, and timely.
“I love this series — once again this session was super informational and practical. I truly feel I learned something and have tools that I can carry forward.” feedback from a participant
A big thank you to our speaker, Elizabeth Blanchard, who presented on Change leadership, her honesty, expertise, and personal insights truly resonated.
We also had a great turnout for the CSPS virtual event “Empowering Managers to Overcome Imposter Syndrome” with Dr. Katy Kamkar. Don’t miss the chance to see her in person at some of our upcoming Managers Connect regional days!
Stay engaged and take part in our monthly Check-In Question, your feedback helps us continue to shape relevant, practical sessions that reflect the real challenges managers face.
This month, we’re asking:
Thanks to feedback from over 500 participants last month, we are preparing a virtual session on the Responsible Use of AI for Managers offered in English and French on November 18.
We're Hiring: Atlantic Regional Lead – National Managers’ Community (NMC)
Ready to lead, connect, and innovate across the Public Service? The NMC is seeking a passionate Regional Lead for the Atlantic Region to join our vibrant cross-Canada team!
What’s in it for you?
- Collaborate across departments
- Drive creative events and initiatives
- Be part of a supportive, inclusive community
Details:
- 2-year secondment at AS-05 level (or equivalent)
- Must be able to work from the Moncton or Halifax CSPS office
- Travel and occasional overtime required
Extended Deadline to apply : October 31, 2025
For more information or to send your resume and cover letter, contact: annie.bedard@csps-efpc.gc.ca
Learn more: NMC Wiki | LinkedIn
Events and Celebrations
Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month
October marks an important time for reflection, action, and connection as we recognize Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month and Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 5–11). This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month, a national initiative dedicated to fostering and maintaining healthy work environments.
The 2025 theme, “Unlocking Your Potential: Building Strength to Overcome Challenges,” presents a powerful opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to health and safety within the School. These initiatives highlight the importance of both physical and psychological health and safety, and aim to further strengthen our workplace culture.
Explore the full calendar of events and find opportunities to connect, learn, and thrive.
We encourage all employees to support these initiatives by participating in activities, motivating their teams to engage, and consistently modeling behaviours that promote health, safety, and well-being throughout the workplace.
Leading Through Technological Change
In today’s fast-paced world, leadership demands a fresh approach to keep pace with technological change and shifting organizational realities. This event will explore what it takes to earn trust, lead with purpose and succeed amid constant change in today’s workplace.
📅 October 15, 2025 | Virtual | 10:00 am to 11:45 am (ET) | English, with interpretation in French | More details and registration here
CSPS Virtual Café Series: A Conversation on Mental Health with Dr. Bill Howatt
One of the most important elements of high-performing teams is strong relationships between team members. This must-attend event features Dr. Bill Howatt, an international expert in workplace mental health, who will elaborate on the importance of mental health literacy, workplace purpose and emotionally intelligent leadership in today's federal public service.
📅 October 21, 2025 | Virtual | English, with interpretation in French, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (ET) | More details and registrations here
Leader Conversations
The Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace is proud to welcome Tara Adams to deliver the Leader Conversations session.
As conversations about mental health become more common both in general and at work, leaders face the challenge of reducing stigma, modeling positive behaviours and creating psychologically safe environments. This need is urgent as research shows that employers, leaders, and employees are all experiencing increased rates of declining mental health in the workplace.
This session offers best practices for people leaders to facilitate both team and one-on-one conversations that build trust, empathy and psychological safety.
📅 October 28, 2025 | Online | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET) | More details and registrations here
Responsible Use of AI for Managers
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we work, and managers are leading the way in shaping its responsible use. In our May NMC Monthly Check-In question, managers identified Understanding and leveraging AI tools as one of the top leadership topics to develop.
Join us for an engaging session on the responsible use of generative AI in the federal public service. Based on the Government of Canada’s guidance, this session will explore how to balance innovation with accountability, transparency, privacy, and risk management.
Use this opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity on your concerns so you can lead with confidence and support your team’s use of AI tools responsibly and ethically while staying true to public service values.
📅 Novembre 18, 2025 | Virtual | Details and registrations : French 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (ET) or English 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (ET)
Spotlight on Resources
Career Conversation Handbook
Even in times of uncertainty, meaningful career conversations matter. The Career Conversation Handbook helps managers support employees in exploring their career paths, and helps employees prepare for productive discussions with their managers.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Key concepts and benefits of career conversations
- Tips for leading and following up on discussions
- Tools and resources to support ongoing career growth
These conversations aren’t just about openings, they help your team reflect, build skills, and plan for the future. Take a few moments to explore the handbook and make career growth part of the conversation today.
Other related resources are available here : Retain and Engage: Career Management in the Public Sector – CERIC
Regional News
National Capital Region
Managers’ Connect Event in the NCR
October 30 - Registration is now open !
Join us in person for the next NMC Managers Connect day in the NCR, focused on resilient and inclusive leadership in uncertain times.
Programming includes Dr. Katy Kamkar (Clinical Psychologist, and Associate Ombud, Mental Health, PSPC) leading a powerful workshop on Building Individual Resiliency Pathways, gain personalized insights and practical tools to strengthen self-care and resilience. Followed by co-development groups to collaborate on real-world leadership challenges.
In the afternoon, Dr. Nadia Ferrara (Ombudsperson, ISC & PCO) will present Cultural Humility: A Lifelong Journey, drawing on 30+ years of experience in art therapy and public service. Learn how cultural humility fosters inclusion and deeper connections in the workplace. Finally, a panel of senior leaders will share candid stories and strategies on resilience, courage, and adaptability. The day will conclude with an informal networking at a nearby venue.
📅 October 30, 2025 | In Person | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm | Details and registration here
Ontario
Managers’ Connect Event in Windsor
Empowered Connections: Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Conversations
Join the National Managers’ Community (NMC) for an in-person Managers Connect event in Windsor — a unique opportunity to pause, connect, and grow alongside fellow public service managers.
This interactive session will explore the power of emotional intelligence (EQ) in navigating today’s workplace challenges. Through a mix of learning, an executive leadership panel, and speed mentoring conversations, participants will reflect on how empathy, self-awareness, and connection strengthen leadership at all levels.
Whether you're looking to build your leadership toolbox, expand your network, or simply take time for reflection, this session offers practical insights and authentic connection.
What to expect:
• Real conversations with peers and senior leaders
• Speed mentoring: quick, meaningful exchanges with executives
• A dynamic panel sharing lessons on leadership, workplace challenges and emotional intelligence
• A safe space to explore challenges, successes, and new perspectives
📅 November 5, 2025 | In Person | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Details and registration here
Prairies & Northwest Territories
Managers’ Connect Event in Regina
The National Managers’ Community (NMC) is pleased to offer you a day of professional development and networking on October 29th in Regina.
The program includes 2 workshops facilitated by Mike Lund, a Chartered Mediator with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada and an Informal Conflict Resolution Practitioner at the Canada Revenue Agency since 2002.
Managing Difficult Conversations : the Fundamentals: In this interactive workshop, participants explore effective communication approaches that help to make difficult conversations less difficult. Topics include: the TAD dynamic, Identify Needs and “I” Statements.
Delivering Feedback: Participants will learn the components of a specific feedback model, then work in pairs or trios to create a feedback approach/statement for a situation they are experiencing.
Also planned, a panel of senior leaders will share their experiences and offer concrete perspectives relevant to the issues of today. This will be followed by a Speed Mentoring event where senior leaders will join participants at their tables to answer questions and share their knowledge and experience.
📅 October 29, 2025 | In Person | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm | Details and registration here
Managers’ Connect Event in Montréal
The National Managers' Community (NMC) is pleased to offer you a day of professional development and exchange, on October 22, 2025 at the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offices at 1035 Saint-Jacques Street, Montreal.
For this event, the theme “Leadership in Uncertain Times” will immerse you in a world of learning, reflection, and collaboration. On the agenda you will find a workshop on difficult conversations in times of change led by Marine Agogué, Director of the Pierre Péladeau, Leadership and Management Centre at Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) Montreal and her team. Accueil - Pierre Péladeau Center - Leadership and Management
In the afternoon, we will have a panel of the most dynamic executives on managerial courage and resilience : Sony Perron, Deputy Minister, CED, Lissette Bonilla, Regional Director (Quebec), ISED, Simon Labrecque, Assistant Vice-President, IRB, and Karim Fala, Director General, Service Canada. The day will follow by co-development groups using collective intelligence to address common challenges. The day will conclude with informal networking,a great opportunity to connect and continue the discussions.
📅 October 22, 2025 | In Person | 8:30 am to 4:15 pm | Details and registration here
Towards Greater Well-Being Through Movement: A Challenge to take on together – Coming soon!
The RFC’S Interdepartmental Well-Being Committee is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of a Physical Activity Challenge across federal departments and agencies. This initiative aims to encourage everyone to add more movement into their daily routines—fostering a spirit of kindness, motivation, and fun.
Stay tuned! Full details about the challenge will be shared soon.
Get ready to move – together, toward active wellness!
British Columbia & Yukon
Managers’ Connect Event in Prince George
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the National Managers' Community with us at the NMC In-Person Managers Connect Day in Prince George! Join us for a day of inspiration, learning, and connection. Don't miss out on this event! Topic of the day : Mastering Conflict Resolution: Theory, Practice, and Collaborative Leadership
We are pleased to announce that Amanda Vistman, Senior Informal Conflict Management Practitioner from the Department of Justice Canada’s Ombuds and Informal Resolution Services Office, will lead a hands-on session. Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience, adopting a positive, solution-focused approach to promote awareness and understanding within our workforce. Gain invaluable strategies to navigate and resolve conflicts in a constructive and effective manner and build confidence leading difficult conversations through taking a collaborative approach.
📅 October 16, 2025 | In Person | 8:30 am to 4:00 pm | Details and registration here
Learn more about the NMC and how we help support managers
