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Wayne Ross

Rejoining CSC 'like coming home'

During his career, Wayne Ross has had the opportunity to work in both the public and private sectors. "I enjoyed both experiences," he says, "but I knew I belonged in the public service." More specifically, with the Correctional Service of Canada.

"After 12 years with CSC, from 1974 to 1986, I spent four years in the private sector. I liked the work and the people," says Wayne, "but the truth is, I missed Corrections." When the opportunity came to resume his career with CSC in 1990, Wayne jumped at the chance. He says it was just like coming home. "I guess I didn't realize how much I had missed the work and the people."

Today, Wayne is the Office Administrator for Peel and Toronto-West Parole Offices in Mississauga. He supervises, trains and advises support staff, looks after the office's finances and coordinates the delivery of services. Describing himself as a middle level supervisor, he says he enjoys the combination of responsibility and input that the position provides.

Committed to others

"When I began with CSC in Halifax, I was encouraged to go into a counsellor position," he recalls. "I certainly thought about it, and I know I would have been good at it, but I was always more interested in process." That interest, along with his natural compassion for others, is surfacing in more ways than one-Wayne was recently named chairperson for the National Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

"We're hosting the annual conference in Toronto this year," says Wayne, who has muscular dystrophy, "so that means I'll be chairing the conference." His work with the committee has the full support of CSC. Among other things, it makes sure he has the time he needs to attend conferences and meetings. It's proving to be a good investment-Wayne is working in an advisory role with CSC employees with disabilities and hopes to extend his work to inmates with disabilities.

"It's very rewarding," says Wayne. "And it just reinforces the decision I made back in 1990 to make my career in the field of Corrections."