National Managers' Community (NMC)/ Newsletter / November 2025
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In this edition
NMC Insight
Events and Celebrations
- Navigating AI: Age of the Agent for Public Service
- Creating An Inclusive Workplace Culture
- Giving and Receiving Feedback: Why This Emotional Intelligence Skill Can Strengthen or Destroy Teams
- NMC virtual Leadership panel : Navigating Senior Leaders’ Expectation
- Career boot camp 2026
Spotlight on Resources
- GC Workplace Accessibility Passport: Support your employees to succeed
- Key Procurement Resources and Guidance for Managers
- Release of Better Accommodation Project (BAP) Toolkits
- Get to know the HR and pay courses and resources
Regional News
Prairies & Northwest Territories
NMC Insight
Spotlight on Managers Advice
Thank you to all the managers who took part in last month’s NMC Check-In question. Your contributions were remarkably aligned, many of you emphasized specific core messages as: Self-care first: recharge to support your team, Communicate and listen: lead with empathy, be efficient: coordinate, streamline, focus on what you can control and stay resilient: build networks and celebrate progress. Here are a few most common and impactful pieces of advice you shared.
| Self-Care & Resilience | Empathy & Communication | Strategy & Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Advices:“Protect your mental health. Supporting your team starts with supporting yourself.”
“Don’t hesitate to take care of yourself! A single day off can make a huge difference.” |
Quotes:“Listen to your employees. Empower them. Lead rather than manage.”
“Be flexible, everyone works differently. Support employees to grow in ways that work best for them.” |
Quotes:“Eliminate redundant work before it starts. It saves time and boosts credibility.”
“Use AI tools to streamline processes before they do the work for you!” |
Tips:
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Tips:
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This month, we’re asking:
📊 What is ?
You told us what you need, and we’re responding. Based on feedback from over 1,000 managers, we’re hosting a virtual leadership panel on your top priority: Navigating Senior Leaders’ Expectations featuring selected senior leaders ready to share their insights.
Join us on December 10th, 2025. More information: NMC virtual Leadership panel : Navigating Senior Leaders’ Expectations
Events and Celebrations
Coming this fall and winter, Navigating AI: Age of the Agent for Public Service is a dynamic, hands-on training experience designed to help leaders and teams navigate the latest advancements in generative AI, including AI Agents.
Training will be provided by Microsoft in collaboration with the KPMG Skills Development Centre.
📅 November 19, 26, and December 3, 2025 | Virtual | More details and registration here
Creating An Inclusive Workplace Culture
The overall goal of this session is to engage you in a reflection on what you can do to create a culture of inclusion of persons with disabilities.
At the end of this interactive session, participants will:
- Explain the impact of a positive workplace culture on the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
- Use neutral or non-ableist words to foster diversity and inclusion in the federal public service.
- Be equipped to learn more about disability inclusion and what they can do to positively influence workplace culture.
📅 November 19, 2025 | Virtual | English session 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm (ET) | French session 10h00 à 12h00 | More details and registration here
Giving and Receiving Feedback: Why This Emotional Intelligence Skill Can Strengthen or Destroy Teams
Discover how effective feedback can transform your team dynamics. The Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace in partnership with the National Managers Community, are proud to welcome Dr. Karyn Gordon, to deliver a practical, research-based session on how to give and receive feedback across generations to build trust, boost engagement, and strengthen collaboration.
In this interactive webinar, you’ll learn :
- How generational differences influence feedback styles
- Why feedback can energize, or harm teams
- Three simple strategies to make feedback more effective for everyone
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your emotional intelligence and leadership impact.
📅 November 25, 2025 | Online via MS Teams | English, with French interpretation, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (ET) | More details and registrations here
Join us for a timely virtual panel on Navigating Senior Leaders’ Expectations. Based on feedback from more than 1,000 managers from our monthly Check-in question, this selected top-priority topic address the uncertainty, limited influence, and evolving expectations many of you are experiencing. To support you, we’re bringing together experienced senior leaders in each official language to share how they interpret and balance expectations, communicate priorities, and empower managers to lead with confidence.
You’ll leave with practical strategies, real public-service perspectives, and clear guidance to support you in your current leadership reality.
📅 December 10, 2025 | Online via MS Teams | More details and registrations : English panel, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (ET) - French panel 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (ET)
Career boot camp 2026
Back for its 6th virtual edition, Career Boot Camp is your opportunity to sharpen your skills, build resilience, and thrive in a time of fiscal constraint. It’s a chance to find your way forward by adapting to change and growing within the federal public service.
This year’s program features interactive workshops, practical strategies, and networking opportunities to help you build meaningful connections and confidently shape your next steps. Career Boot Camp 2026 is all about turning challenges into stepping stones for both personal and professional growth.
📅 January 20 to 29, 2026 | Details and registrations : Career boot camp 2026
Spotlight on Resources
GC Workplace Accessibility Passport: Support your employees to succeed
Use this 2-minute video to learn about the Passport – a tool that you can use to foster a supportive work environment where employees with disabilities feel valued and equipped to do their best.
Learn how to:
1. Review a Passport that your employee has shared with you
2. Collaborate with your employee to remove barriers
3. Implement potential solutions
4. Access additional resources
Watch the video on YouTube: GC Workplace Accessibility Passport: What Managers Need to Know
Download the video and transcript from the Accessibility Hub on the Passport GCPedia page.
Let’s work together to equip employees to achieve their full potential and be productive!
For more info, visit Canada.ca. Questions? Contact the Office of Public Service Accessibility, TBS at: AccessibilityPassport.Passeportdaccessibilite@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
Key Procurement Resources and Guidance for Managers
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has published a resource page to help managers understand their roles and responsibilities in procurement. Managers who procure goods and services in government act as “business owners” and have responsibilities under the Treasury Board Directive on the Management of Procurement.
Your first point of contact for procurement questions is the file’s contracting authority. This individual has procurement expertise and will guide you through the process. Additional resources for managers include :
- Manager’s Guide: Key Considerations When Procuring Professional Services
- Guide to Mitigating Conflicts of Interest in Procurement
Canada School of Public Service courses :
- The Role of Managers Throughout the Procurement Process (FON1-V55)
- Key Considerations in Procuring Professional Services (COR4-V01)
- Procuring with Integrity: The Essentials for Public Servants (COR4-V02)
- Introduction to the Federal Procurement Process (COR421)
Release of Better Accommodation Project (BAP) Toolkits
Launched in September 2024, BAP aims to improve how federal employees with disabilities are accommodated by addressing gaps in this process. With input from 365 managers and 933 employees, BAP developed two toolkits that will help to foster inclusive, barrier-free workplaces.
The toolkits align with the Directive on the Duty to Accommodate and the Duty to Accommodate: A General Process for Managers.
- Toolkit for users guides managers and employees through every step of the accommodation process
- Toolkit for organizations helps organizations review and strengthen their accommodation services.
Discover BAP tools:
Get to know the HR and pay courses and resources
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, in partnership with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), has created some interactive training products to help you with your HR and pay responsibilities.
HR and Pay for Managers (COR137) and HR-to-Pay for Employees (FON308) use realistic scenarios and practical tools—like videos and interactive exercises—to support Section 34 managers and employees in ensuring timely and accurate pay.
The one-stop shop on GCXchange has additional tools, guidance, and “how-to” support. No membership is needed; simply add it to your favourites.
What can you do: share these resources with your colleagues and contact HRtoPayTraining-FormationRHaPaye@tbs-sct.gc.ca to arrange a demonstration for your department or network.
Regional News
Atlantic
Atlantic NMC Fall Networking Breakfast(s)
We are thrilled to announce the return of our highly successful NMC Fall Networking Breakfasts in Atlantic Canada! These events provide a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues in a relaxed and informal setting while enjoying a delicious breakfast and some refreshing coffee. This year, we will be hosting breakfasts in Moncton, Miramichi, Fredericton, and Halifax, among other cities.
Keep an eye on your inbox, as we will be sending you all the details, including dates, locations, and registration information soon. We can't wait to see you there and catch up!
National Capital Region
NCR Arts Fusion
Join this social activity: NCR Arts Fusion (a new employee-led community connecting public servants through shared arts and culture experiences in the NCR) for Arts & Minds at the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), an evening of creativity, dialogue, and connection for public servants.
Enjoy a welcome and gallery orientation by Rebecca Rama, OAG’s Development Officer, and a presentation on Ottawa’s Nightlife Economy Plan by “Night Mayor” Mathieu Grondin. Participate in “Sketchy Thursdays” sketching, explore the gallery in groups, or join the optional Public Policy Salon to discuss art’s role in the community, mental health, and democracy.
The evening wraps up with networking at the Jackson Café, where ideas and connections come to life.
📅 Thursday November 27, 2025 | Ottawa Art Gallery | 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, ON | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST | *Cost: $10 : please RSVP on Eventbrite
* The $10 fee supports both the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) and a donation to the OAG.
Ontario
Upcoming NMC Networking Events in Ontario
Looking to expand your professional network, exchange ideas with peers, and take a refreshing break from your daily routine? Join fellow managers and supervisors from across departments to discuss real leadership experiences, share practical insights, and build meaningful cross-departmental connections.
The National Managers’ Community (NMC) is excited to host three informal networking events in the Ontario region this fall and early winter. Join us at the NMC Networking Lunch – Downtown Toronto on November 27, the NMC Networking Lunch – Mississauga on December 9, and the NMC Networking Breakfast – North York on December 11.
Whether you’re seeking inspiration, professional support, or simply good conversation over great food, these gatherings are for you.
We hope you’ll join us!
Susan Badame, Regional Lead - Ontario
Prairies & Northwest Territories
Managers’ Connect Event in Regina
📅 October 29, 2025 | In Person | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm | Details and registration here
Learn more about the NMC and how we help support managers