Diversity and Inclusion at the PPSC

Althea Francis,
General Counsel, Toronto

I am a General Counsel in Toronto and have worked at the PPSC since my call to the Bar in 2001. I am responsible for overseeing and prosecuting complex cases that involve national security, terrorism, organized crime, money laundering and fraud. In this role, I regularly provide legal advice to senior management as well as advise investigative agencies. In 2012, I received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award for my contributions to public service through my work as a prosecutor.

I am passionate about mentoring and act as a mentor to many junior counsel in the office. I am co-chair of the National Prosecution Policy Committee and former Chair of the Ontario Regional Office’s Equity Diversity Inclusion and Accessibility committee. In these roles, I promote diversity by delivering programs and developing policy aimed at fostering a cultural shift around inclusivity in the workplace and our community at large. In recognition of my work in this area, I was awarded the 2018 PPSC Leadership Excellence Award, and in 2019 the Canadian Lawyer magazine Innovatio Award for innovation around diversity in a law department. I am proud to be a member of the PPSC. I believe diversity drives innovation and makes teams smarter.

Faith Chipawe,
Regional Office Manager, Alberta

I was born and raised in the affluent neighborhood of Harare, Zimbabwe. Just over two decades ago, my family and I relocated to North America, experiencing several moves before ultimately settling in Calgary. These diverse locales form a rich tapestry of distinct cultures, each with its unique traditions, values, and ways of life. The distinctive realities embedded in these places have significantly influenced my worldview. My background and lived experiences within these varied environments have not only expanded my understanding of human diversity but have also played a pivotal role in shaping my personal and professional beliefs.

Growing up in Harare, Zimbabwe, immersed me in the vibrant tapestry of African culture, replete with history, traditions, and a strong sense of community. The transition to North America exposed me to an entirely different cultural landscape, characterized by diversity, innovation, and the harmonious coexistence of various ethnicities and backgrounds. Finally settling in Calgary, I encountered a blend of urban dynamics and natural beauty, contributing to a unique Canadian cultural experience. This fusion of diverse cultural influences has instilled in me a profound appreciation for the richness that diversity brings to our interconnected world. It has propelled my commitment to fostering inclusivity and promoting understanding in all aspects of life.

I have been a public servant since 2012, holding various positions and assuming leadership roles since 2015. In recognition of my efforts, I was awarded the 2020 Leadership Excellence Award. As a leader in the public service and a co-lead of the National Employee Council for Black Employees, I am both privileged and obligated to create and nurture work cultures that are equitable, diverse, and inclusive.

Joshua Hunt,
IT Support Technician, IT Infrastructure/ Operations, Administration Services Division, Yukon

I work with the Information Technology Division in Whitehorse, Yukon. I was diagnosed 26 years ago with a brain tumour, and underwent treatments to have it removed. Since then, I have lived with the various challenges brought on by the side effects of the removal and the treatments. With my disability, I have felt welcome and appreciated working with the PPSC. I believe that everyone has equal rights, and having a diverse and inclusive office makes me proud to be a Canadian and a PPSC employee. I am also proud to be part of the social committee, so we can plan activities for the office to bring us together as a team for fun.

Kelvin Ramchand,
Counsel, Toronto

My experience from a grade 7 mock trial fueled my interest and passion for criminal law. A huge barrier in navigating this path was not having anyone in my family or social network who attended university, let alone worked in the legal field. My parents immigrated to Canada from Guyana, settling in Toronto, where I was born and raised, so I needed to be creative to make my dream come true. To help me get to the PPSC, where I have been Crown Counsel since 2015, I was fortunate to have mentors who graciously provided guidance and support every step of the way. I was taught how to take a principled approach to my work with integrity, empathy and fairness while promoting the interests of justice on issues that affect all Canadians. This inspired me to be a mentor myself, which has been truly one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. It is important that the PPSC be a reflection of the communities we serve. That is why as an ambassador of the PPSC, I aim to inspire law students of all backgrounds to pursue a career in our office, where they will gain invaluable experiences, access to amazing mentors, and lifelong friends like I have.

Laura Pitcairn,
General Counsel, Headquarters Counsel Group, Ottawa

I am General Counsel at the PPSC Headquarters Counsel Group in Ottawa. I lead a number of national committees, including the National Wiretap Experts Committee and the PPSC-RCMP Technology Working Group. I started my career with the public service in 1996 in Edmonton and within a year I realized my goal of becoming a prosecutor, eventually moving to the newly-established Calgary office in 1998. In 2002, I made the move to Ottawa to join the Strategic Prosecutions Policy Section at the Federal Prosecution Service headquarters. I have been with the PPSC Headquarters Counsel Group since 2009, after returning from working with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service legal services unit for a little over 3 years. I am a proud member of the LGBTQ2I community in Ottawa. Having worked in various offices over the years, I have experienced different comfort levels about coming out to my colleagues; however, I have always felt at home and treated respectfully at the PPSC.

Martin Park,
Counsel, Brampton

I have been a Crown Counsel at the PPSC in Toronto since 2010. My journey began in South America. I was born in Asunción, Paraguay, to immigrant parents from South Korea. My native languages are Spanish and Korean. At the age of nine, my family immigrated to Montreal before settling in Toronto, where I have spent most of my life. I have always been passionate about my community and have volunteered as a mentor for incarcerated youths and also worked as a Child Protection Worker for an agency supporting Indigenous children and families. These life experiences have shaped my approach to the practice of law and given me a richer understanding of the impact criminal law has on vulnerable members of society. I am both grateful to work for the PPSC and proud of my colleagues who are passionate about the law, care deeply about their community, and are devoted to public service.

Michael Foote,
Chief Federal Prosecutor, Manitoba

I have been very fortunate in the course of my career over the past 25 years to work with many exceptional people at the PPSC. I am currently the Chief Federal Prosecutor in the Manitoba Regional Office. Along the way, I've learned many lessons from all my colleagues. Every day is an opportunity to learn and one of the keys to success is to be attuned to all that people have to teach you. That's where the benefit of true diversity is really evident. Diversity of ethnicity, citizenship, culture, and thought enrich us all if we are open to the different perspectives that result from different experiences.

Canada is a mosaic of many cultures, and my own background is a piece of this mosaic and reflects the immigrant experience so many share. I was born and raised in Jamaica and emigrated to Canada as a teenager with my parents. Jamaica has benefited from a diverse mix of peoples and formed a well-defined strong national character, exemplified by the country's motto "Out of Many, One People." My family certainly exemplified this motto, with a Jamaican father, a Scottish mother, and an extended family that truly was ethnically and culturally diverse. I think this lived experience has certainly helped me understand and embrace the importance of diversity in our own society and in our workplaces. We all have something to add to our collective conversation whether we have always been here or arrived yesterday. That conversation is always ongoing at the PPSC as we continue to strive toward greater openness and the sharing of diverse perspectives that make us all stronger together.

Surinder Aujla,
General Counsel, Brampton

I was a lawyer in India and in order to become one in Ontario, I attended Osgoode Hall Law School and subsequently articled with the Provincial Crown's office. During this period, I also served my community as a Toronto police officer. In 1999, I joined the Department of Justice and later obtained my LL.M. in Criminal Law. Currently I am a General Counsel with the PPSC and I am a designated wiretap agent. Throughout my career I have held multiple leadership positions across various offices and have appeared at all levels of court in Ontario on a broad range of cases.

I have always taken a mentorship role with lawyers in my office and I regularly give presentations on various legal topics within the PPSC, to the Bar, and to law enforcement. My experience spans complex prosecutions involving wiretaps, conspiracies and large quantities of drugs, money and tobacco. I also enjoy serving on the boards of community and legal organizations. This service has allowed me to give back to my community.

Roger Bouthillier,
National Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Enabler

I was born and raised in Quebec. I currently live and work from the traditional territories of the Mi'kmaq People. I identify as a cis-gender, white male and gay. A large portion of my career has been spent working in various organizations within the federal public service. I have been with the PPSC since 2021 and I am currently a National Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Enabler. Working with the PPSC’s Advancement Centre for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility has been incredibly fulfilling and intensely humbling. It has also been my privilege to Co-Lead our 2SLGBTQIA+ National Council of Employees (NCE). Our NCE follows emerging issues and provides strategic direction to PPSC’s Senior Management Team.

Despite the adversities of growing up in a world where people expected me to be straight, I am proud of who I am. My colleagues, at the PPSC, have made it easy to be my authentic self in all daily interactions. I am grateful for this. Of all the work environments I have found myself in, I have felt this most valued for all my personal identity factors, including belonging to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, here at the PPSC.

I am deeply committed to further understanding how I was socialized, my biases and what my intentional role might be in further strengthening our inclusive workplace culture and ultimately having some impact on our criminal justice system.

Stacey LaCroix-Sauve,
Senior Human Resources Advisor, Ottawa

I am a Senior Human Resources Advisor based in Ottawa. I provide staffing and recruitment support to our three Northern regional offices (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut).

As an Indigenous woman, I am motivated and dedicated to effecting positive change for Indigenous Peoples. My role at the PPSC enables me to contribute to the Initiative on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and enhance Indigenous representation in our Northern offices. I also belong to the National Council of Indigenous Employees, which provides a supportive community of Indigenous employees working towards progress.

Since joining the PPSC in 2021, I have felt incredibly valued by this organization. I can honestly say that this has been the most fulfilling position in my 17-year career with the Public Service.