The next generation of women is well positioned for the public service of the future

Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council, Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

I grew up believing in the importance of giving back to Canada, and I’m proud to continue to uphold this value as a leader in the public service. Being a public servant means serving Canadians with excellence. It means contributing to something bigger than ourselves. This is a big part of what I love about coming to work every day, and it’s what I want the next generation to take to heart: you can make a difference.

This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future. Women make up 56.8% of the federal public service, an organization committed to delivering excellence and to creating an inclusive, healthy and accessible work environment where everyone can reach their potential.

While we’ve had gender parity at the employee level for the past 20 years, that doesn’t tell the full story; Black women, Indigenous women, other racialized women, and women with disabilities are still underrepresented, and there is important work to do to remove any barriers to representation.

As I reflect on the women in history who have paved the way for those who aspire to lead and make a difference today, such as Jocelyne Bourgon, the first woman appointed Canada’s clerk of the Privy Council, I also think of the women, past and present, who have supported and inspired me. I would like to share some of what I’ve learned from them and my own experience.

Your role as a public servant is essential.

Former clerk Janice Charette, who retired last year after nearly 40?years of dedicated service to this country, inspired me and many others when she spoke about what it means to be a public servant. Serving the elected government and Canadians is a tremendous source of pride and opportunity; it is also a great responsibility. We must maintain a deep appreciation for and understanding of our important role in Canada’s democracy, and live out our public service values and ethics every day.

We achieve more together than we do on our own.

Building your networks is key to your professional and personal development. I encourage you to make connections within your own teams, your departments, across and outside government—in all regions.

When we share our ideas, learn from one another and take in diverse perspectives, we can create programs, policies and services that truly meet the needs of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Our relationships with colleagues are also essential to creating positive workspaces where everyone feels included and fulfilled at work. I encourage you to help each other, understand each other and show compassion and empathy. As my colleague and fellow Deputy Clerk Nathalie G. Drouin says, we need to lift each other up!

Team sports have always played an important role in my life, from playing soccer and basketball when I was younger, to coaching, to proudly cheering on our Canadian athletes. I have learned that success in sports—whether on a field or a court—is a team effort. This is something that applies to work as well. For me, the public service is a team sport where we all have a role in serving Canadians.

Embrace change. It’s the only constant.

We’re in a period of change and evolution across the public service. We are adjusting how we work in a hybrid environment to maximize collaboration, and we’re exploring how technologies like artificial intelligence can improve how we deliver services.

I encourage you to be curious and stay on top of emerging issues, trends and technologies. By staying ahead of the game, you can better manage challenges, make the most of opportunities and reach your goals.

Initiatives like the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion and the ongoing conversation about our values and ethics are also part of our efforts to transform the public service. Join me in making our workplaces healthier and more inclusive, diverse and accessible.

The next generation is bringing in unique experiences and new ways of thinking. This is key to our transformation. When I think about the smart, talented young public servants from diverse backgrounds whom I’ve met during my 7 years as champion for the Federal Youth Network, I am extremely confident about the future of our organization.

Be inspired and be inspiring.

I am so incredibly proud to be a public servant. Let’s continue to build that feeling of pride together. This month, we are celebrating Canadian women who have made an impact and recognizing that women have a bright future. We are public servants, and we are also so much more. We are mothers, daughters, athletes and leaders shaping the future of the public service. Support each other, take initiative, think differently, work hard and don’t give up! Who knows, you may someday inspire the girls in your life to become public servants too.