Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector

Federal public servants have a fundamental role to play in serving Canadians, their communities and the public interest under the direction of the elected government and in accordance with the law. As professionals whose work is essential to Canada’s well-being and the enduring strength of the Canadian democracy, public servants uphold the public trust.

The Constitution of Canada and the principles of responsible government provide the foundation for the role, responsibilities and values of the federal public sector.^[1] Constitutional conventions of ministerial responsibility prescribe the appropriate relationships among ministers, parliamentarians, public servants^[2] and the public. A professional and non-partisan federal public sector is integral to our democracy.

Ministers are also responsible for preserving public trust and confidence in the integrity of public sector organizations and for upholding the tradition and practice of a professional non-partisan federal public sector. Furthermore, ministers play a critical role in supporting public servants’ responsibility to provide professional and frank advice.^[3]

This Code outlines the values and expected behaviours that guide public servants in all activities related to their professional duties. By committing to these values and adhering to the expected behaviours, public servants strengthen the ethical culture of the public sector and contribute to public confidence in the integrity of all public institutions.

As established by the Treasury Board, this Code fulfills the requirement of section 5 of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA). It was developed in consultation with public servants, public sector organizations and bargaining agents. This Code should be read in conjunction with organizational codes of conduct.

These values are a compass to guide public servants in everything they do. They cannot be considered in isolation from each other as they will often overlap. This Code and respective organizational codes of conduct are important sources of guidance for public servants. Organizations are expected to take steps to integrate these values into their decisions, actions, policies, processes, and systems. Similarly, public servants can expect to be treated in accordance with these values by their organization.

Federal public servants are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the values of the public sector and these expected behaviours.

1. Respect For Democracy
   • Public servants shall uphold the Canadian parliamentary democracy and its institutions by:
   • 1.1 Respecting the rule of law and carrying out their duties in accordance with legislation, policies and directives in a non-partisan and impartial manner.
   • 1.2 Loyally carrying out the lawful decisions of their leaders and supporting ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians.
   • 1.3 Providing decision makers with all the information, analysis and advice they need, always striving to be open, candid and impartial.
2. Respect For People
   • Public servants shall respect human dignity and the value of every person by:
   • 2.1 Treating every person with respect and fairness.
   • 2.2 Valuing diversity and the benefit of combining the unique qualities and strengths inherent in a diverse workforce.
   • 2.3 Helping to create and maintain safe and healthy workplaces that are free from harassment and discrimination.
   • 2.4 Working together in a spirit of openness, honesty and transparency that encourages engagement, collaboration and respectful communication.
3. Integrity
   • Public servants shall serve the public interest by:
   • 3.1 Acting at all times with integrity and in a manner that will bear the closest public scrutiny, an obligation that may not be fully satisfied by simply acting within the law.
   • 3.2 Never using their official roles to inappropriately obtain an advantage for themselves or to advantage or disadvantage others.
   • 3.3 Taking all possible steps to prevent and resolve any real, apparent or potential conflicts of interest between their official responsibilities and their private affairs in favour of the public interest.
   • 3.4 Acting in such a way as to maintain their employer’s trust.
4. Stewardship
   • Public servants shall use resources responsibly by:
   • 4.1 Effectively and efficiently using the public money, property and resources managed by them.
   • 4.2 Considering the present and long-term effects that their actions have on people and the environment.
   • 4.3 Acquiring, preserving and sharing knowledge and information as appropriate.
5. Excellence
   • Public servants shall demonstrate professional excellence by:
   • 5.1 Providing fair, timely, efficient and effective services that respect Canada’s official languages.
   • 5.2 Continually improving the quality of policies, programs and services they provide.
   • 5.3 Fostering a work environment that promotes teamwork, learning and innovation.

Acceptance of these values and adherence to the expected behaviours is a condition of employment for every public servant in the federal public sector, regardless of their level or position. A breach of these values or behaviours may result in disciplinary measures being taken, up to and including termination of employment.

The PSDPA defines the "public sector" as: (a) the departments named in Schedule I to the Financial Administration Act and the other portions of the federal public administration named in Schedules I.1 to V to that Act; and (b) the Crown corporations and other public bodies set out in Schedule I of the PSDPA. However, "the public sector" does not include the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service or the Communications Security Establishment, which are subject to separate requirements under the Act.

The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector came into force on April 2, 2012.

The expected behaviours are not intended to respond to every possible ethical issue that might arise in the course of a public servant’s daily work. When ethical issues arise, public servants are encouraged to discuss and resolve these matters with their immediate supervisor. They can also seek advice and support from other appropriate sources within their organization.

Public servants at all levels are expected to resolve issues in a fair and respectful manner and consider informal processes such as dialogue or mediation.

As provided by sections 12 and 13 of the PSDPA, if public servants have information that could indicate a serious breach of this Code, they can bring the matter, in confidence and without fear of reprisal, to the attention of their immediate supervisor, their senior officer for disclosure or the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

Senior officers for disclosure are responsible for supporting the chief executive in meeting the requirements of the PSDPA. They help promote a positive environment for disclosing wrongdoing, and deal with disclosures of wrongdoing made by employees of the organization. Further information on the duties and powers of senior officers for disclosure can be found in the attached Appendix.

Members of the public who have reason to believe that a public servant has not acted in accordance with this Code can bring the matter to an organizational point of contact that has been designated for the handling of such concerns or to the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner to disclose a serious breach of this Code.