Update - Hurricane Lee

Dear colleagues,

Over the weekend, the Atlantic region experienced the impacts of extreme weather conditions resulting from hurricane Lee.  Some of you in the local area may be personally affected, with power outages, floods, damage to property, and road closures. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this difficult event.

As recovery and clean up efforts continue by emergency personnel, and hydro workers work to repair infrastructure, employees should avoid unnecessary travel in the affected areas.

As in all trying situations, I encourage managers to be flexible with employees as they deal with damages or other personal circumstances resulting from the weather event. Use of appropriate leave entitlements in line with the Parks Canada Collective Agreement and specific to individual circumstances should be utilized as necessary. The use of “Other Leave with Pay (699)” may be considered at this time to allow employees who are prevented from reporting to work (e.g. road closures) and/or to bring a situation preventing them from reporting to work under control (e.g. downed trees).

As some PC sites and telework locations may be affected, please contact your manager or supervisor for expectations regarding reporting to work. This includes those with hybrid work arrangements who are not able to work from their telework location but could be able to safely report to work.

If you are having difficulties or need to talk to someone, please also remember that there is support through the Employee and Family Assistance Program available at 1-800-268-7708, or 1-800-567-5803 (TTY - for people with hearing impairments)

Other Parks Canada team members residing outside the affected areas are advised that some of the regular interactions with team members in these areas may be disrupted.

My hope is that you all prioritize your own wellbeing, and that of your loved ones.　

Take care and stay safe.

Réa McKay

Vice President, Human Resources and Employee Wellness

Reminder to managers: In keeping with Parks Canada's procedures for communications with employees, managers are responsible for ensuring all employees under their responsibility receive the information intended for them. It is important that you find a means to transmit this message and, if any, the attachment(s) to employees without access to Parks Canada e-mail or the intranet, e.g., by posting it, circulating a paper copy or by any other appropriate means.