Debates of May 30, 2005 (day 4)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in keeping with previous commitments to report progress, I would like to update the House on the implementation of the corrections human resource action plan, tabled in the House in December 2004.

In August 2004, corporate human resources began a review of the human resources challenges corrections was facing. Madam Speaker, by November 2004, a number of issues were identified which required priority attention. In response, the Department of Justice prepared an action plan and a team was established to begin the work immediately.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to report that we have greatly enhanced communications with all levels of the corrections services by holding more frequent and comprehensive staff meetings, by piloting an internal electronic message system, and by ensuring that supervisors and managers meet with staff every day. We are creating staff committees to develop and monitor staff training, to implement a staff awards system and to edit our new newsletter. Also, we are working with corporate human resources to develop a comprehensive human resource plan that will incorporate the best practices we are diligently following.

We are continuing to make progress on our targeted action items, Madam Speaker, but have adjusted some of our original timelines to accommodate the consolidation of human resource functions across government and the ongoing negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement. Madam Speaker, we will continue to move forward on outstanding tasks, including improving our job descriptions, addressing vacancies, identifying a three-year training plan and enhancing our hiring processes.

I look forward to continuing this work and will table an update report on the corrections human resource action plan during the fall 2005 session. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause