NMC Professional Development Forum 2012
Speakers and Workshops
Plenary Speakers
Wayne G. Wouters
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
Mr. Wayne G. Wouters was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet by the Prime Minister on July 1st, 2009. From December 2004 to June 30, 2009, Mr. Wouters was Secretary of the Treasury Board.
Prior to this Mr. Wouters was Deputy Minister, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Chairperson, Canada Employment Insurance Commission and previous to that, Deputy Minister, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and Deputy Minister of Labour.
Mr. Wouters was born in Edam, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he received his Bachelor of Commerce (Economics). After graduation, he studied at Queen's University, earning his Master's Degree in Economics. In 1975, Mr. Wouters started his career as a Lecturer in Economics at the University of Saskatchewan. He began his public sector career in 1977 with the Government of Saskatchewan where he held several positions between 1977 and 1982, culminating in the position of Director, Energy Policy Branch, Department of Mineral Resources (Saskatchewan). In 1982, Mr. Wouters joined the federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources as the Director of Industry Analysis. In 1986, he became Deputy Director General, Project and Fiscal Analysis and in 1989, he was appointed Director General, Financial and Market Analysis.
In 1990, Mr. Wouters accepted a position as Director, Economic Development Policy Branch with the Department of Finance, becoming General Director in 1993. In 1994, Mr. Wouters joined the Privy Council Office (PCO). From March until September of that year, Mr. Wouters was the head of the federal Task Force on the Newfoundland Economy. Upon completion of those duties in September 1994, he became the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Program Review), where he oversaw preparation of the expenditure reduction plan that was part of the 1995 federal Budget. In December 1994, Mr. Wouters was appointed Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Plans and Consultation).
Mr. Wouters remained with the Privy Council Office until September 1997 when he was appointed Deputy Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada).
Suzanne Vinet
President, Canada Economic Development Agency for Quebec Regions and Champion of the NMC
Suzanne Vinet, President of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec since March 1, 2010, has been with the federal public service for 26 years, where she has held several senior positions. In recent years, she has served as:
• Associate Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2009-2010);
• Associate Deputy Minister at Health Canada (2007-2009);
• Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2005-2007).
From 2002 to 2005, she worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as Director General, Trade Policy, International Trade. As the Deputy Chief Negotiator-World Trade Organization, she was a key participant in the multilateral trade policy issues of the department.Ms. Vinet began her public service career in 1984 with the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food where she gained extensive expertise in policy and liaison. She took on increasingly senior positions with a focus on trade policy, including:
• Director General, International Trade Policy (1999-2002);
• Executive Director, International Trade Policy Directorate (1998-1999);
• Director General, International Markets Bureau (1998).
A native of Vaudreuil, Quebec, Suzanne Vinet received a diploma from the Institut de Technologie agricole et alimentaire in Saint-Hyacinthe, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (economics) from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. She also attended the National Defence College of Canada in Kingston
Mark Butler
Chair of the Governing Council, National Managers' Community
Mark Butler graduated from Lakehead University with an Honours Degree in Forestry in 1975. That same year he began his public sector career with the Provincial Government in Newfoundland and Labrador. Beginning in 1979, Mark worked as a manager with the Canadian Forestry Service for 18 years. In 1997, he moved to the Newfoundland and Labrador Federal Council as the Executive Director, a position he still holds today. Mark is also the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada and sits on its National Board of Directors. Mark has been the Chair of the National Managers' Community Governing Council since March 2008.
Janice Charette
Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and
Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Janice Charette was appointed Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs on November 15, 2010. From July 2006 to July 2010, Ms. Charette was Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and Chairperson of the Canada Employment Insurance Commission. Prior to this, Ms. Charette served as Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Associate Deputy Minister of Health. From 2001 to 2004, Ms. Charette joined the Privy Council Office as Assistant Secretary to Cabinet for Priorities and Planning, and was named Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Plans and Consultations in 2002. Previously, she held the position of Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for Policy at the Department of Justice.
Ms. Charette worked in the private sector from 1996 to 1999, first as Principal in the management consulting firm of Ernst & Young, and as Director of the Transition Team for the newly formed Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. From 1994 to 1996, Ms. Charette worked at PCO, as Coordinator of the Base Closures Task Force, and then on the Program Review exercise. In the early portion of her career, she worked for the Department of Finance, the Office of Privatization and Regulatory Affairs, the Federal-Provincial Relations Office, and the Prime Minister's Office. Ms. Charette is a member of the Board of Directors of the Public Policy Forum and is on the advisory board of the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University. In 2008, she was national Chair for the United Way's Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign, raising over $36 million for communities and national health charities across Canada. Ms. Charette attended Carleton University, where she received a Bachelor of Commerce. She is married to Reg Charette, and they have two children - Jed and Cassie.
Claire Dansereau
Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
In February 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment of Claire Dansereau as Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), effective March 2, 2009. She takes on this new role after serving the department as Associate Deputy Minister since January 2008. Before joining DFO, Ms. Dansereau was the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Socio-Economic Policies and Regional Operations at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Prior to that, Ms. Dansereau was Vice-President and Special Advisor to the President of the Canadian International Development Agency.
Before joining the federal Public Service, Ms. Dansereau served as the Executive Director of Canadian University Service Overseas (CUSO). Prior to that, Ms. Dansereau worked for the Government of British Columbia. During her time with the provincial government, she worked as Associate Deputy and then, as Deputy Minister of Transportation and Highways, and as Vice-President of Forest Renewal British Columbia, a crown corporation. Ms. Dansereau's strong background in regional and natural resources management enabled her to work with the British Columbian forest industry and as an environmental policy advisor. Ms. Dansereau holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in microbiology.
John Knubley
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
John Knubley was appointed the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on July 1, 2009. Previously, he was Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Privy Council Office. In this post he provided advice and support to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs on a full range of federal-provincial-territorial policies, especially implementation of fiscal stimulus and infrastructure with the provinces for Budget 2009.
Prior to joining Intergovernmental Affairs, he was Associate Deputy Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities as well as Associate Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada. Before that he lived in Halifax and served as Vice-President, Nova Scotia at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Earlier in his career, he worked at Industry Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, and the Economic Council of Canada. John is married with three children. He has degrees in politics and economics from Yale, Oxford, Harvard and Nice universities.
Ross MacLeod
Assistant Deputy Minister, Governance, Planning and Policy
Ross MacLeod was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Governance, Planning and Policy Sector, effective March 15, 2010.
Previously, Mr. MacLeod was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Expenditure Management Sector of the Treasury Board Secretariat since March 2009. From 2004 to 2009, he participated in the Accelerated Executive Development Program (AEXDP) serving assignments in Human Resources Services, and the Operations Branch (managing CPP, OAS and EI) at Human Resources and Social Development Canada / Service Canada. Prior to joining the AEXDP, Ross held various executive positions at Industry Canada where he led the introduction Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program in 2003 and the development of the Government of Canada's Innovation Strategy in 2002. Previous assignments included the Privy Council Office, Treasury Board and Finance. Ross holds degrees in Economics from Acadia University and the London School of Economics.
Tod Maffin
Tod Maffin is one of North America's leading digital marketing experts, specializing in viral and ROI-based campaigns for sectors from human resources to real estate to education. Maffin, COO and senior strategist at tMedia Strategies, is one of the country's go-to commentators on the impact of accelerated technological change and innovation on the business and economic environment and can speak to every aspect of technology and resulting implications for the world in which we live.
One of Canada's podcasting pioneers, Maffin writes a blog that is followed by thousands of people in the media, technology and business communities around the world. He continues to report on national technology trends on CBC Radio and is the past host of todradio dot com and Real Life Chronicles.
Maffin's comprehensive understanding of Generation Y, high-velocity change and competition, hyper-innovation, and the accelerating pace of the world around us offer audiences an insider's viewpoint of what the world holds in store and what lurks around the corner, whether it's six months, a year, or ten years away.
Daphne Meredith
Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board of Canada
Ms. Daphne Meredith was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for the Government of Canada as of August 31, 2009. Prior to her appointment as CHRO, Ms. Meredith served as Associate Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) since August 2006. Ms. Meredith has also held senior executive positions at the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), as Assistant Secretary of the Economic Sector and then as Assistant Secretary of the newly-created Corporate Planning and Priorities Sector.
Ms. Meredith began her career in the Public Service in 1983 as an economist at Natural Resources Canada and has held a number of positions within the federal government since that time. She has worked on financial sector policy and tax policy at the Department of Finance, on priorities and planning as well as cabinet business relating to social development policy at the Privy Council Office, and on strategic management at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. She has also worked with the private sector as a government policy consultant. Ms. Meredith holds a bachelor's degree with honours and a master's in Economics from Queen's University, and has taught economics at Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada.
Paul G. Thomas
Professor Emeritus in Political Studies, Paul Thomas taught for over 40 years at the University of Manitoba where he was the Duff Roblin Professor of Government from 2000 to 2010.
Over his career, he received numerous types of recognition for his work such as the Queen's Jubilee Commemorative Medal for Public Service and the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Distinguished public service. In 2007, he was inducted into the Order of Manitoba and received the Public Service Citation Award by APEX for his contribution to promoting understanding of the role of the public service and the national Pierre DeCelles Award for excellence in teaching in public administration by IPAC.
Professor Thomas has chaired or served on numerous committees appointed by all levels of governments. He is also the author and editor of many articles and chapters in books on a wide range of topics related to the public sector.
Suzanne Tining
Suzanne Tining was appointed Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada as of January 22, 2007. Prior to her appointment, she was Associate Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the Executive Director and Deputy Head of the Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada.
From 2003 to 2004 she was a Visiting Executive with EnCana Corporation, Canada's largest oil and gas producer, through an innovative public-private sector exchange initiative. From January 2002 to December 2003, she worked with Canada Economic Development Agency for Québec regions as the Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Planning, and Information initially and then Assistant Deputy Minister, Operations. After a career spanning more than 20 years at Transport Canada, she left her position as Regional Director General for the Québec Region in November 1997 to serve as Director of Operations in the Social Policy Secretariat and subsequently the Economic Policy Secretariat of the Privy Council Office.
She then worked in the field of communications as the Assistant Executive Director of Planning, Research and Regional Coordination, from 1999 to 2001 at the Canada Information Office, later known as Communication Canada.
Daniel Watson
Daniel Watson was appointed Deputy Minister for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) on July 16, 2009.
Before this appointment, Daniel was Associate Deputy Minister at WD. Prior to this, he held appointments as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; Assistant Deputy Minister at WD for the Saskatchewan Region; and Director General at the Department of Justice. Daniel began his career in the federal public service as a program officer in Vancouver's East Side. Daniel has extensive experience leading public policy development, legislative initiatives, land claims negotiations, litigation management, economic development programs, and intergovernmental relations. Daniel has represented Canada before United Nations panels and at other international bodies and events to advance and protect Canada's interests. He is also frequently asked to speak at public service learning and leadership events.
Prior to joining the federal public service, Daniel worked for both the governments of British Columbia and Saskatchewan working on land claims and labour market and postsecondary education issues. A graduate of the University of British Columbia and a former student at Université Laval, Mr. Watson has spent his career based at different times in Western Canada, in the Northwest Territories and in the National Capital Region. Currently, he is based at WD's headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta. WD promotes the development and diversification of the western Canadian economy. To achieve this, WD works to strengthen western Canadian innovation, entrepreneurship and community economic development activities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia in order to build a stronger West and a stronger Canada. Another key part of WD's mandate is to ensure that western Canadian perspectives play an effective role in shaping key national public policy decisions.
Neil Yeates
Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Neil Yeates was appointed Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada on July 20, 2009. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Yeates served as Associate Deputy Minister at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Emcees
Denise Lécuyer is a Senior Business Officer, Operations, at Western Economic Diversification Canada. Her work consists of developing economic projects in fields such as cultural industries, new media and information technology.
She was the Commissioner of Official Languages' representative for the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region between 2005 and 2008 and worked closely with executives in the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Federal Councils. From 1996 to 2005, Denise worked as an Official Languages Coordinator and a Senior Business Officer at Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD). She also worked for the provincial Department of Education and Training for 10 years in the fields of French services, Access to Information Act and administration of school regulations.
She has hosted a Manitoba community radio station, Envol 91.1 FM, for over a decade.
Hlezi Sy has more than 20 years of work experience in both the private and public sectors, and has lived in five different countries: Mexico, the United States, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and Canada. She has worked as a researcher, employment counsellor, financial advisor, university professor and a manager. Hlezi joined the federal government 15 years ago, starting at Agriculture Canada then moving on to the Public Service Commission and Health Canada.
In 2005, Hlezi took a five-year leave of absence from Health Canada to move to Mexico where her husband was on a work assignment. While in Mexico, she not only became fluent in Spanish, but she also taught International Business at a university in Monterrey. She moved back to Winnipeg in the summer of 2010 to join Agriculture Canada's Farm Income Programs Directorate where she is currently manager of the Economics unit.
From the corner of her desk, Hlezi is a coaching resource for workshops on Coaching Practices for Managers put on by the NMC. The coaching work is an inspiration for her as it provides her an opportunity to connect with other managers and learn from their experiences.
Pre-Forum Workshops
Your Pension at a Glance
This session provides you with a comprehensive review of how your pension plan works. You will look at the elements of Elective Service and the Supplementary Death Benefit Plan and any considerations you might want to make. A discussion of your retirement benefits includes indexing and CPP Coordination. The workshop also covers Survivor Benefits and will provide information for you to link into the Pension Benefits Division for follow up after the workshop. (En/Fr)
Presenters
English:
Jennifer Mew is a Client Liaison Officer in the Outreach Services section of the Public Service Pension Centre in Shediac, NB. She has been with the sector for 23 years, working in many different areas within the pension centre. Jennifer has been providing pre-retirement sessions since September 2006. Immediately prior to that, she was a Policy and Legislation Officer in the Policy and Advisory Services section for 4 years. She will be talking about your Public Service pension and related benefits.
French:
Marlene Cullen-LeBlanc is a certified Outreach Officer with the Public Service Pension Centre based in Shediac, New Brunwick. She has been with the Pension Center for 32 years. With her experience and knowledge of the Public Service Pension Plan, she will provide information on the Pension Plan as well as provides hints & suggestions to prepare everyone for a smooth transition into retirement.
Overview of the Workforce Adjustment Directive
This workshop will give managers an overview of the directive including roles and responsibilities of central agencies and management. Participants will learn about employee entitlements, what constitutes a reasonable job offer and the recourse and retraining options available to employees. Participants will also learn about the administrative and legal authorities for surplus and lay-off declarations. (En/Fr)
Presenters
English:
Margaret Van Amelsvoort-Thoms is the Executive Director, Human Resources Management Governance and Community Management at the Treasury Board Secretariat. In this role, she is responsible for supporting and facilitating governance for human resources decision-making and helping build capacity in the HR community to support deputy heads in their people management role. A graduate with a BA from McMaster University, Ms. Van Amelsvoort-Thoms has worked in human resources for the public service for 23 years.
French:
Sean Ross has been employed at the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) for the past nine years and has held various portfolios during this time. Currently he is Acting Senior Director, Work Force Adjustment in the Compensation and Labour Relations Sector. In this capacity, he and his team are responsible for providing advice and guidance to departments and agencies on the application of the various work force adjustment agreements and related policies. Prior to accepting this assignment, Sean was Director, Union Engagement and National Joint Council Support at TBS and was responsible for the development and administration of a number of policies and directives affecting HR management in the public service and in particular for the guidelines on Co-development and Labour-Management Consultation Committees.
Opening Ceremonies
Jules Lavallee
Jules Lavallee was born in St. Laurent, Manitoba and was raised in the Métis culture of fishing, hunting, trapping, language, foods and customs. Jules moved away from St. Laurent at the age of 11 to attend school at CFB Rivers, a military base, where Jules had to learn English. After high school Jules moved to Winnipeg where he found employment at OO-ZA-WE-KWON Training Centre as a life skills coach.
He received many "Teachings" from many Elders from different nations including Dakota (Sioux), Cree, and Ojibway. In 1994, he put together three courses of study at his Red Willow Lodge, a place for traditional teaching and healing. Jules is a Pipe Carrier and Sweat Lodge Conductor and was appointed Elder in Residence at Red River College in November 2004 where he is currently employed.
Margaret Lavallee
Margaret Lavallee (Courchene) was raised in the Sagkeeng First Nation north of Winnipeg and lived at the Fort Alexander Residential School but then attended as a "day scholar", of which she says "I don't know which was worse". Her life-long passion is as an advocate for the health of Aboriginal people. For the past 20 years, Margaret has served Aboriginal people as the Director of Native Services with the Health Sciences Centre.
Margaret is a co-founder of Red Willow Lodge Inc., where she has been able to combine all her passions and knowledge of both Western and Anishinaabe Traditional practices. She is also the Elder in Residence at the University Of Manitoba, Center for Aboriginal Health Education, sits on the Board of Directors at the Mount Carmel Clinic, and is one of the Elders in Residence for E-Spirit, Canadian Business Development Bank, that promotes Aboriginal youth in entrepreneurship.
Margaret has 20 grandchildren and is a great-grandmother of two.
Dean Smith
Dean Smith was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the youngest of six children. At the age of 20 he enrolled in the Science Department at the University of Brandon but left after only 2 years because of poor life choices that caused his education to suffer.
Happily, Dean met his wife in Brandon, and they moved back to Winnipeg where Dean began working with his family at Red Willow Lodge as well as building the drum and singing group Whitehorse. Dean has worked for Corrections Canada, Child and Family Services agencies, and at the Winnipeg School Division. In 2010 Dean enrolled in the University of Manitoba Inner City Campus in Social Work. He is expected to graduate in 2014.
La Chorale de l'École / Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy Choir
The choir is made up of 20 youth from grades 5 to 11 at École / Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy. They are directed by Monique Guénette, their Musical Education Teacher. This is their first year as a group. This school is part of the Franco-Manitoban School Division and is located in Ile-des-Chênes, a Francophone village 30 km east of Winnipeg. The youth will perform two songs on the theme of peace, one in French and the other in Latin, entitled : Enfant de paix "Child of Peace" and Dona nobis Pacem "Grant us peace".
Mini-Plenaries
Strategic Communications—How to Reconcile Differences and Get Commitment to Change
Getting commitment to change can be very difficult. Research clearly shows that effective communication is critical to change success. Unfortunately, more change initiatives fail due to poor communications. During this presentation, you will learn about a highly innovative, yet proven strategic influencing process for planning and communicating difficult change news. Participants will have the opportunity to apply a 4-step model to real workplace federal government change projects and initiatives. (En)
Presenter
Robert Harris, B. Comm, MBA, CHRP, is president of Robert Harris Resources Inc., and a professional speaker, trainer, author and consultant with over twenty-five years experience in Canada and internationally. He also teaches within the Business Studies faculty of the University of Toronto and with the Schulich Executive Education Centre. Robert started his career in the public sector and has also worked in healthcare and the private sector.
Excellence Within: It's All About Change
Dynamic, thought-provoking and entertaining, Martin Latulippe, CSP, will inspire you to go from comfort to excellence in the journey of leadership! Based on concrete strategies, touching and funny stories, Martin will share and guide participants with some very simple success and leadership principles that can be applied right away. This is an update of the popular workshop presented in Montreal in 2010. (Fr)
Presenter
Martin Latulippe is a best-selling author and highly-acclaimed transformational speaker. He has dedicated his life to helping individuals, teams and organizations to create and master transformational thinking. Overcoming obstacles as a young entrepreneur, he established a reputation of being one of the most electrifying and successful expert speakers of his generation. He is a 4-time best selling author and is the 2011 recipient of the Peter Legge Philanthropic Award from the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
Moving from Manager to Leader: Four Essentials of the Leadership Journey
Making that transition from non-management to management requires a significant shift in attitude and action. No longer is your success measured by what you do, but rather by the impact you have on other people. Ultimately, management is what you do, leadership is how you do it. In this upbeat and fast-paced ride along the highways and side streets of leadership, Merge is your tour-guide who teaches four essential elements of a successful journey. You'll explore and experience specific and practical techniques that you can use right away to make the transition from manager to leader. (En)
Presenter
Merge Gupta-Sunderji is a professional speaker, author, radio commentator, and consultant. Since 1988, she has presented to over 34,000 managers in four countries. Previously, she was the well-known voice behind the national CBC radio column The Softer Side of Business. She's an award-winning published author, writing for many well-known organizations and publications, including CGA Magazine. The second edition of her book Why Does the Lobster Cast Off Its Shell? was released in July 2009. She is also the author of an entire Leadership Series of educational audio CDs that cover specific and day-to-day leadership challenges faced by managers and supervisors. She is presently working on her latest book, Power Tools for Leaders: Practical Strategies and Tactics to Build People, a hands-on practical how-to guide for managers and supervisors.
On-site Workshops
These workshops will be offered on May 8 and May 9. Check the table in the Program to confirm the language of presentation on each day.
How to be a Leader in the Virtual World
Virtual meetings are the lifeblood of the remote team, yet we hear the same challenges over and over again: late starts, later finishes, private agendas, loss of control by the meeting facilitator, and multitasking by disengaged attendees and participants. This interactive session will look at the leader's role in conducting an effective virtual meeting. (En/En)
Presenter
Claire Sookman is the driving force behind the firm of Virtual Team Builders. She has over ten years of experience in corporate training and has worked with over 4,500 managers in the past five years. Claire's company specializes in virtual team building and communication strategies, helping clients increase the productivity and efficiency of dispersed teams. Her successful seminars are in high demand worldwide. Besides the National Managers' Community, her clients include: Scotia Bank, Boeing, Comdev, TD/Canada Trust, Siemens, Bell Canada, Ontario Ministry of Correctional Services, USDA Forest Services and GlaxoSmithKline.
Working Across Silos: Skills for Collaborative Problem Solving
Managing in a new era requires us to effectively work across silos to achieve better solutions. Yet few of us are working this way. In this workshop we will offer tools and exercises for cross-silo/collaborative work: how to get started, what to do when collaborating, and ways to finish the collaboration. (En/Fr)
Presenters
André Guitard, M.Ed. Principle of CAG Consultation, André is a strong believer in collaborative approaches to organisational management. He is a passionate advocate for effective partnerships in the public sector and collaborative system thinking, and works primarily in the areas of health and social services. CAG Consultation provides consulting services in organisational management, project management, workshop facilitation, and professional coaching.
Charlotte Young, Ph.D. is the Director of Practice at ENVision… synergy. She has over twenty-five years of experience in collaboration. Charlotte provides facilitation, mediation and consensus building processes to help develop, evaluate, and support public policy; and to create optimally functioning organizations. She designs and leads events involving diverse expertise and multiple jurisdictions that promote common understanding; encourage creative thinking; and enable groups to achieve broadly-supported, enduring solutions. Charlotte holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. She is a certified mediator, and facilitator for True Colours personality strengths inventory, and graphic recorder.
Charlotte and André have worked together on several projects, including stakeholder engagement for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
Changing Brains: Neuroscience of Change Leadership
The most complex structure in the universe sits inside every one of our skulls, producing our every thought, feeling, and action. In times of major change, understanding brain states can determine your success. Learn how to create successful change, using every brain on your team, in this practical workshop. (En/En)
Presenters
Dale Stevenson received her Master's Degree in Human Kinetics with specializations in Gerontology and Adapted Kinesiology from Lakehead University, and is certified in the Bar-On Method of Emotional Intelligence Testing. She applies an inclusive, brain-based approach to coaching and leadership development. Dale advises on design, coaching and facilitation, and runs The Leadership Group's successful coaching practice.
Trevor Stevenson is known for his intense focus blended with creativity and wit. He is a dynamic public speaker, coach and facilitator. In addition to being a world traveler, Trevor is a published poet, and all-around athlete. His personal goal is to one day help governments around the world to create sustainable, inspiring organizations.
Leadership Skills for Getting Buy-in to Change—How to Engage Staff and Build Commitment
Change is difficult—over 2/3 of organizational change initiatives do not fully succeed. Critical to success is the ability of managers to build employee commitment to change. This workshop teaches the important managerial and leadership fundamentals for succeeding at change through understanding how people react during change and what people need to move forward. Participants will also learn practical strategies and tools for overcoming employee resistance and building commitment to change, how to maintain morale and productivity during change through "coaching conversations", and how to plan and deliver difficult change news in a way that reconciles differing perspectives and engages others. (En)
Presenter
Robert Harris, B. Comm, MBA, CHRP, is president of Robert Harris Resources Inc., and a professional speaker, trainer, author and consultant with over twenty-five years experience in Canada and internationally. He also teaches within the Business Studies faculty of the University of Toronto and with the Schulich Executive Education Centre. Robert started his career in the public sector and has also worked in healthcare and the private sector.
Leadership in Complexity
Is your organization becoming too complex? How can we provide effective leadership when faced with increasingly complex, often unpredictable situations? This "playshop" provides a practical introduction to complexity theory, demonstrates specific tools that can be used in participants' workplaces, and introduces a new model for organizational analysis and transformation. Warning: Be prepared to play and have fun. (En/En)
Presenter
An unconventional, strategic thinker, Dr. Mark Federman brings three decades of experience as executive, manager, and consultant, spanning disciplines from research and development through strategic leadership. He is co-author of "McLuhan for Managers—New Tools for New Thinking" and author of many articles, keynotes, and playshop facilitations. Mark's research at the University of Toronto, "From BAH to ba: Valence Theory and the future of organization," offers leaders a wider range of possibilities for practical, humanistic decision-making, enabling effective responses to complex organizational challenges in environments of continual change. Mark is Dean at Toronto's Adler Graduate Professional School, creating a new master's degree in leadership and organization development.
Improving Working Lives—Yours first!
We want to have motivated and engaged teams. It would really make our working lives easier! This session will provide practical strategies to build resilience in your team, thereby improving your own mental health at work. Those in public service will continue to face challenges, changes, uncertainty and job demands. These may be outside your influence or control. Focus instead on creating a positive work environment for yourself and those you lead. This session will offer tools and strategies to help you ride the waves and encourage your people to do the same. (En/En)
Presenter
Mary Ann Baynton, MSW, RSW is an independent workplace relations specialist who provides services to organizations, unions and associations who wish to improve or address issues related to workplace mental health. She is the former Director of Mental Health Works, served on the Ontarian's with Disabilities Act, Employment Standards Committee, as co-chair on the Technical Committee for the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and currently serves as a member of the Mental Health Commission of Canada's Workforce Advisory Committee and as the Program Director for the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace.
Dealing with Mental Health Issues in the Workplace
You are occasionally faced with managing an individual in the workplace who appears to have mental health issues. Do you feel equipped to do this? In this session, you will learn how to recognize mental health issues and learn about resources and tools that are available to help deal with these issues. You will also learn about your own well-being. (Fr/Fr)
Presenter
Dr. Evelyne Girard is a Registered Psychologist working at Executive Counseling Services. She is a graduate from the clinical program at the University of Ottawa. She enjoys teaching undergraduate psychology courses at the University of Ottawa and is a continuous learner. Currently, she is working on a Masters in Ethics and planning to return to study Law in 2012.
"Six Pack" for Hard Times
This seminar will stimulate and provoke your thinking on how we manage in hard times. Taking the best from our tool kit this will be an energy drink for managers to kick start a new mental model based on "how well we could do" rather than on "how bad we are doing". More pilates than life support this "six pack" regime will build leadership muscles well suited for the coming years. (En/Fr)
Presenters
Karen Bonner is a public servant with a vast experience in managing people and projects. Since 2005, she has been working as a certified professional coach. She works part-time with the NMC.
Bob Chartier is a Learning and Engagement Coach at the NMC. His passion is building learning organizations and promoting a leadership culture that recognizes leadership at all levels.
Mary Heffernan is the Manager of Financial Services for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, New Brunswick, currently on assignment to the Aboriginal Economic Development file. A life-long learner, she has focused her energy in the past years on her practice of Engagement within the Government of Canada.
Louise Beauparlant helps to build and maintain Communities of Practice for the NMC. Throughout her public service career, Louise managed teams in the learning and career development areas and is at her best when working with individuals and teams.
Storytelling—A Business Case for the Oldest of Tools
This seminar will be a fresh look at the power of storytelling in public sector organizations. Bob Chartier will make a strong business case for storytelling as a path for shared experience and knowledge transfer in challenging times. Come prepared to think differently about an ancient art in contemporary times. (En)
Presenters
Karen Bonner and Bob Chartier (see above)
Dealing with Employee Performance Issues
Managers must be equipped with the knowledge needed to confidently deal with unsatisfactory performance. This workshop examines a range of practical tools, skills and techniques to help enable managers to carry out positive employee performance management models of support and direction. Participants will review types of informal feedback, practice a 4-step approach to conducting a formal performance interview, learn to distinguish between culpable and non-culpable behaviour, and run through options for when performance does not improve. (Fr/En)
Presenter
Pierre A. Gauthier, Faculty Member, Canada School of Public Service
In 2007, after 26 successful years as research analyst and project manager with Statistics Canada, Pierre decided to embark on a second career. Building on his education in Social Psychology and Certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Pierre decided to return to his original passion: leadership development. He trained in Adult Education and became a Certified Integral Coach. He has been with the Canada School of Public Service since 2009. He is currently on the Faculty.
Human Resources Planning and Communication in a Workforce Management Context
In the current context, organizations need to adapt to changes brought forth by budget reductions. In this session, participants will explore various ways to meet budgetary constraint targets including implementing workforce reductions, developing viable reduction scenarios and assessing the issues involved. They will look at financial constraint decisions and their impact on an organization's structure, workforce and operations. During the second part of the session, managers will learn how to make difficult announcements and deal with the emotional reactions of their employees. (Fr/En)
Presenter
Margaret Van Amelsvoort-Thoms is the Executive Director, Human Resources Management Governance and Community Management at the Treasury Board Secretariat. In this role, she is responsible for supporting and facilitating governance for human resources decision-making and helping build capacity in the HR community to support deputy heads in their people management role. A graduate with a BA from McMaster University, Ms. Van Amelsvoort-Thoms has worked in human resources for the public service for 23 years.Workforce Adjustment: Selection for Retention and Staffing Priority Administration
In this session, participants will learn about the ins and outs of the retention and lay-off processes. They will explore various selection situations, and learn how to determine merit and selection criteria for assessments, and how to communicate results to employees. Other topics will include strategies to identify and select employees; determining the merit and selection criteria and employee recourse rights. In the second portion of the workshop, managers will examine the Priority Administration program as a key tool for implementing workforce reductions. They will also review the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in a workforce adjustment situation. (En/Fr)
Presenters
English:
Hélène Mombourquette, CSPS began her career in the public service in 1975 with the Human Resources Directorate of the RCMP. She joined the Labour Relations team as a Labour Relations Advisor in 1985 and worked in various departments. She retired in 2011, as the Director- Workforce Integration Programs Division at CBSA. She joined the Canada school of Public Service in December 2011, as faculty member.
French:
Christine Landry is currently member of the Faculty at the Canada School of Public Service. She chose human resources as a second career and is a B.A. graduate with a specialization in industrial relations from the Université du Québec en Outaouais. She has been working in the HR field for 18 years, in the private sector and the public service.
Off-site Workshops
Through off-site workshops, delegates will have the opportunity to learn about selected federal government programs, services and initiatives that are delivered and managed in Winnipeg, the forum's host city. The workshops will include a tour as well as discussions on specific management issues or best practices and they will be led by a manager or leader within the off-site workshop organization. The off-site workshops provide a non-traditional approach to learning that helps build a shared understanding of the wide range of federal public services in the region. Participants will travel by pre-arranged busses unless otherwise specified.
The Forks National Historic Site and
the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Parks Canada and Canadian Heritage
May 8 (French)
May 9 (English)
The Forks National Historic Site is Winnipeg's "Meeting Place", where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. During this workshop delegates will take a 6,000-year journey into the past. The importance of the Forks lies in its role as witness to many of the events that shaped the Canadian West. The First People camped here at the confluence of the two great rivers and over the centuries their presence drew others. Tour participants will also see and hear about the Variety Heritage Adventure Park, a unique collaborative effort between Parks Canada and Variety, the Children's Charity of Manitoba.
Delegates will also visit the construction site of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, the only national museum outside of the National Capital Region. Expected to be completed in 2014, the CMHR combines stone and glass to create an iconic awe-inspiring structure inspired by the Canadian landscape. Participants will hear how the museum aims to be a sustainable building, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Silver.
Note: Delegates can walk to the site from the Convention Centre (15 minutes) or be bussed (10 minutes)
Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health
Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
May 8 (English)
This will be a rare opportunity for delegates to step inside Canada's only Level 4 containment facility, home to the Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD). Workshop participants will learn about the mandate and function of each of these departments as well as how the most dangerous of pathogens are handled safely. Delegates will also visit the Operations Centre, a high-tech, surveillance and data analysis area that provides support to key areas during outbreaks such as H1N1 or high-profile events such as the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Delegates will hear from a biologist who has been deployed during several international outbreaks of deadly diseases such as Ebola. The theme of managing during changing times will be addressed by both the Director of Business Operations and the Directors from the NML and the NCFAD.
Note: Delegates are required to bring government photo identification.
St Andrew's Lock and Dam, Lockport
Public Works and Government Services Canada
May 8 (English)
May 9 (English)
Opened in 1910, St. Andrews Lock and Dam is located north of Winnipeg along the Red River. It was originally constructed to raise water levels over Lister Rapids thus facilitating commercial navigation on the Red River between Winnipeg and Lake Winnipeg. St. Andrews Lock and Dam was designated a National Historic Site and a National Engineering Historic Site in 1995. Comprised of a dam, a lock, a fish ladder, a bridge and 9 hectares of park land, the Dam is one of only two Camere style dams in the world, using 89 movable wooden curtains to control water flow. The gravity filled lock operates between May and October and is the only lock on the Canadian Prairies. The concrete fish ladder allows a number of species of fish to migrate around the site. The bridge is a fixed span roadway connecting the communities of Lockport and St. Andrews.
Operational staff will give a unique and rare birds-eye tour of the facility from the operational platform inside the heritage structure, explaining how and when the dam and locks are operated. Staff from Engineering Assets Strategy Sector will present the history and mandate of Engineering Assets, successes of the team to date, and an overview of different approaches to divestiture of the various engineering assets.
French Quarter Tour
Involving several federal government institutions
May 8 (English)
May 9 (French)
Saint-Boniface, home to the largest francophone population west of the Great Lakes, is a vibrant and active community that has preserved its history, heritage and language through tenacity, collaboration, innovation and vision. Manitoba's bilingual capacity is a competitive edge in many sectors including tourism, economic development, research and development, health care, education, and international events and conferences. This tour will provide an overview of the history of the area's strong francophone presence and include several institutions where the Federal Government is involved. Participants will gain an awareness of the impact of the government's involvement in the survival and enrichment of the community and the added value of the French language, not only in this community and its institutions but in the province in general. Highlights will include St. Boniface Cathedral, the University of St. Boniface, the St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, Le Cercle Molière (francophone theatre), and the Bilingual Services Centre.
Stony Mountain Institution
Ni-Miikana—Aboriginal Pathways, Correctional Services Canada
May 8 (English)
May 9 (English)
At Stony Mountain Institution, a medium security Federal Correctional prison, delegates will visit the Aboriginal Initiatives Unit, Ni-Miikana (My Road in Ojibway). Celebrating its tenth anniversary in May 2012, the Ni-Miikana Pathways Unit has been the flagship in Aboriginal Corrections across the country. This program enhances the department's capacity to provide interventions for First Nation, Métis and Inuit offenders as a means to narrow the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders. Delegates will see the inside of the 78 bed unit that is part of the larger correctional facility and visit Eskwa-a-dum Spiritual Lodge. They will meet with the multi-disciplinary staff team that supports the initiative and offenders who want to do their time on NiMiikana. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Unit's management style that is supported by senior management, as well as successes and challenges.
Notes:
Due to distance, delegates will return to the Convention Centre at 5 pm.
Delegates are required to bring government photo identification and their names will be provided to SMI in advance of the workshop.
Canadian Grain Commission
303 Main Street
May 8 (English)
May 9 (English)
Canada has an enviable reputation as a world leader in supplying wheat and other crops at a consistent high level of quality. This workshop will take you through laboratories that ensure quality and consumer protection by inspection, testing and research. In addition, the Chief Commissioner, who reports directly to the Minister of Agriculture, will talk about their unique governance structure as a National Head office outside the NCR, and the upcoming changes they are expecting that will modernize this one hundred year old institution.
Notes: Delegates can walk to the site from the Convention Centre (15 minutes) or be bussed (10 minutes)