Sharon Joy virtually travelled the world  

Supply Specialist, Sharon Joy, joined Public Services and Procurement Canada 11 years ago. Her regular job with the Drugs, Vaccines and Biologics Division motivated her to join the Pandemic Response Sector in March 2020.

As a member of the team, Sharon’s job has been to search the world for sources of sterile swabs, those all-important brush-like devices that testing centres use to gather specimens from noses and throats.

But as Sharon quickly discovered, not all swabs are created equal. And so began what she describes as her steep learning curve.

“I do have a bit of a background,” she said. “I worked for a lab supply company back in the day, but it became apparent to me very early that there were important things to be considered when purchasing these swabs. It’s particularly important to have the right type to get enough specimen sample.”

So working mostly from a corner desk in her bedroom, Sharon travelled the world virtually dealing with companies around the world and, of course, Canada.

“It was overwhelming at first. So I did some research, learning about the different types of swabs and, with help from senior management, began identifying reliable companies. We have very rigorous requirements and had to spell out very carefully what was expected of them.”

“But back in March and April, all countries were vying for the same limited supply. So there were challenges,” she added.

As with all members of the team, Sharon was often working seven days a week, 14 and 15 hours a day, especially for the first three months. “It was very intense, until July when things became a little more normal,” she said. “I didn’t get to spend any quality time this summer with my family, but they have been helpful. Sometimes my husband would quietly bring me a cup of coffee in the morning and I would just roll out of bed, log on and start work.”

“And there were days when I would just walk downstairs and look at my husband and say, ‘just tell me to breathe.’ Then I could just keep going.”

Looking back

“As a team, we’ve learned a lot and, even if it gets crazy again, I don’t think the pressure would be quite as intense,” said Sharon. “We understand that the long hours would still be needed, but we have a better understanding of the pitfalls and the challenges, so there’s less unknown."

“Most of the team members were there because they shared the same goal,” she said. “We were there to help Canadians and Canada. Everyone has been incredibly committed.”

She reserves special praise for her boss, Director General Alain Dorion, who oversees the entire operation. “I don’t think I could have done what I did without his support,” she said. “I found him to be an incredibly supportive leader. Knowing there was someone who always had your back took an enormous amount of pressure off. And he was even more ridiculously busy than I was. He must have been carrying such huge pressure on his shoulders; yet he was always very supportive.”

As a professional, she describes the work since March as one heck of an experience. “I just felt it was something I needed to do,” she added. “I’ve probably got at least another 10 to 15 years to work, but when I do retire, I will be able to look back and say that I did something meaningful. I helped make a difference. I’m proud that I could do this for my country.”

For more stories like this one, check out The faces behind the masks.