Government of Canada

Vacation leave accrues monthly based on years of service: 10 hours/month up to 8 years, increasing to 20 hours/month after 25 years. Employees may carry over unused vacation leave; credits above 280 hours on March 31 are paid out at the substantive rate. Sick leave accrues at 10 hours per month for full-time employees, with shift workers earning an additional 1.33 hours per month after using 120 hours in the fiscal year. Bereavement leave provides up to 7 calendar days (or 5 days in two periods) including travel days for immediate family deaths, with 3 days for stillbirths. Maternity leave without pay is up to 18 weeks, extendable if the newborn is hospitalized, with a maternity allowance topping up Employment Insurance benefits to 93% of weekly pay for eligible employees with 6 months continuous service. Parental leave without pay is up to 37 weeks (standard) or 63 weeks (extended), with corresponding parental allowances topping up EI benefits to 93% (standard) or 55.8% (extended) of weekly pay. Leave with pay for family responsibilities totals 40 hours per fiscal year for medical appointments, care, school functions, and legal appointments. Leave without pay is available for personal needs, relocation of spouse, long-term care of a parent, and domestic violence (up to 80 hours paid leave annually). Injury-on-duty leave is granted with pay when certified. Education leave without pay up to one year may be granted for relevant studies, with possible allowances. Career development leave with pay is available for approved courses or seminars. Severance pay is provided on layoff, death, termination for cause, or rejection on probation, calculated as one week’s pay per year of continuous employment with maximums of 28 to 30 weeks depending on circumstances. Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits and 4.6% holiday pay in lieu of designated holidays.

Salaries are set by classification levels CX-1, CX-2, and CX-3 with five incremental steps each. For example, CX-1 annual salaries range from $66,974 (Step 1, June 1, 2021) to $97,266 (Step 5, June 1, 2025). Annual pay increases occur on June 1 each year with combined economic, wage, and market adjustments totaling approximately 4.79% in 2022, 10.96% in 2023, and 13.46% in 2024 relative to 2021 rates. Employees receive pay increments every 12 months on their hiring anniversary. Overtime is compensated at time and three quarters (1.75x) per hour for all overtime worked, calculated in 15-minute increments. Overtime may be compensated by pay or equivalent leave with pay, with unused compensatory leave paid out at the hourly rate by March 31. Call-back pay guarantees a minimum of three hours at the applicable overtime rate, except for part-time employees who receive a minimum of four hours at straight time. Shift premiums include $2.25 per hour for hours worked between 3:00 pm and 7:00 am and an additional $2.25 per hour for weekend hours worked. A biweekly Correctional Officer Allowance of $239.21 (increasing to $243.99 on June 1, 2025) is paid to CX-01 and CX-02 employees working in institutions. An Instructor Allowance of $2.75 per hour applies when performing instructor duties (excluding CX-3 level). Emergency Response Team members receive a premium of $2.75 per hour during call-up and training. Dog handlers receive $1.00 per hour when handling a detector dog.

This collective agreement covers all employees in the Correctional Services Group (Code 601) represented by the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers – Syndicat des agents correctionnels du Canada (CSN). The agreement aims to maintain harmonious labor relations, define working conditions, and promote employee safety and well-being while ensuring efficient service to the public. It is effective upon signing and expires on May 31, 2026. Key outcomes for employees include defined hours of work, overtime compensation, leave entitlements, job security provisions, grievance procedures, and various allowances recognizing the unique demands of correctional work.