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OFFICE OF THE

ETHICS COUNSELLOR CANADA

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PURPOSE

Enhance public confidence in the integrity of public office holders and the decision-making process in government

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CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE

(1,300 Full-Time and 2,000 Part-Time

Public Office Holders)

• Ministers

• Political Staff

• Senior Officials (Deputy Ministers, Heads of Agencies and Tribunals, etc.)

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INTEGRITY-BASEDOR

RULES-BASED?

We have chosen an integrity-based system

- A set of principles stating what is expected of those in public life

- A limited set of procedures and rules

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PRINCIPLES

• Ethical Standards – shall act with honesty and uphold the highest ethical standards so that public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of government are conserved and enhanced

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PRINCIPLES

• Public Scrutiny – shall perform official duties and arrange private affairs in a manner that will bear the closest public scrutiny, an obligation that goes beyond simply acting within the law

• Public Interest – shall arrange private affairs in a way that will prevent real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest from arising

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CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE

(Within 60 days)

• Assets – Three Categories

• Debts

• Outside Activities

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EXEMPT ASSETS

• Residences, recreational properties, household and personal goods, works of art, automobiles, etc.

• Government bonds, mutual funds.

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DECLARABLE ASSETS

• Interest in private business that does not contract with the government

• Farms

• Rental property

Public Declaration

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CONTROLLED ASSETS

• Shares in publicly traded corporations

• Interest in private corporation having dealings with Federal Government

Sale, Blind Trust or Blind Management Agreement

Divestment

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PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

• Practicing a profession

• Managing a business

• Being a director or officer in a corporation

• Holding office in union or professional association

• Being a paid consultant

Resignation and Public Declaration

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PERMISSIBLE ACTIVITIES

• Memberships, directorships or offices in organizations which are philanthropic, charitable, or non-commercial

Public Declaration

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GIFTS AND HOSPITALITY

• Decline gifts/hospitality which could influence judgment

• Gifts and hospitality up to $200 - no disclosure • Over $200 – acceptable:

- if they arise out of official duties, and - are a normal expression of hospitality

Public Declaration

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POST-EMPLOYMENT

• May not make use of insider information

• One-year limitation on accepting employment or directorships (direct and significant official dealings)

• One-year limitation on lobbying back to government institutions (direct and significant official dealings)

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ASSESSMENT OF THE SYSTEM• Risks removed in advance

• Proactive

• Has been working well

Site: http://strategis.gc.ca/ethics