Industry Canada Values and Ethics Code

Chapter I: Values

The Role of Federal Public Servants at Industry Canada

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 PSDPA defines "public servant"^{Footnote 1} as every person employed in the public sector (this includes the core public administration, Crown corporations and separate agencies). It includes every person employed at Industry Canada: indeterminate and term employees, individuals on leave without pay, students participating in Student Employment Programs, casual, seasonal and part-time workers. Although they are not public servants, individuals on incoming Interchange Canada assignments are expected to comply with, and volunteers are expected to respect, the requirements of this Code.

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

The Role of Ministers

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.^{Footnote 3}

Statement of Values

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 is an important source of guidance for public servants at Industry Canada. These values will guide our decisions, actions, policies, processes, and systems. Similarly, public servants at Industry Canada can expect to be treated in accordance with these values.

Respect for Democracy

The system of Canadian parliamentary democracy and its institutions are fundamental to serving the public interest. Public servants recognize that elected officials are accountable to Parliament, and ultimately to the Canadian people, and that a non-partisan public sector is essential to our democratic system.

Respect for People

Treating all people with respect, dignity and fairness is fundamental to our relationship with the Canadian public and contributes to a safe and healthy work environment that promotes engagement, openness and transparency. The diversity of our people and the ideas they generate are the source of our innovation.

Integrity

Integrity is the cornerstone of good governance and democracy. By upholding the highest ethical standards, public servants conserve and enhance public confidence in the honesty, fairness and impartiality of the federal public sector.

Stewardship

Federal public servants are entrusted to use and care for public resources responsibly, for both the short-term and long-term.

Excellence

Excellence in the design and delivery of public sector policy, programs and services is beneficial to every aspect of Canadian public life. Engagement, collaboration, effective teamwork and professional development are all essential to a high-performing organization.

Expected Behaviours

Federal public servants at Industry Canada 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.

At Industry Canada Respect for people also means:

2.5 We carefully consider the impacts of our words and actions on others.

2.6 We adopt behaviour, appearance and language that promote pride in, and respect for, the Department and enhance its corporate image and reputation.

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

At Industry Canada Integrity also means:

3.5 How we achieve results is as important as the achievements themselves.

3.6 Bringing any ethical concerns regarding departmental matters to our managers or through appropriate existing mechanisms.

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.

At Industry Canada Stewardship also means:

4.4 Our transactions, including purchasing, contracting and travel, can withstand scrutiny at all times.

4.5 We safeguard protected, classified and personal information.

4.6 We follow safety and security rules and standards.

4.7 We use government assets only for official purposes, or as authorized.

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.

Avenues of Resolution

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 Industry Canada.

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.

The Conflict Prevention and Early Resolution Office provides services to all Industry Canada employees, such as consultation, facilitated dialogue, conflict coaching and mediation to help prevent, manage and resolve ethical issues and workplace conflict, including harassment, at the earliest possible opportunity.

As provided by Sections 12 and 13 of the PSDPA, if a public servant has 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, the Senior Officer for Disclosure or the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

The Senior Officer for Disclosure is responsible for supporting the Deputy Minister in meeting the requirements of the PSDPA. The Senior Officer helps promote a positive environment for disclosing wrongdoings, and deals with disclosures of wrongdoing made by Industry Canada employees.

Members of the public who have reason to believe that a public servant at Industry Canada has not acted in accordance with this Code can bring the matter to the Senior Official for Values and Ethics or to the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner to disclose a serious breach of this Code.

Duties and Obligations

Public Servants

All public servants at Industry Canada are expected to abide by this Code and demonstrate the values of the public sector in their actions and behaviour. Furthermore, public servants must also adhere to the behavioural expectations set out in this Code. If a public servant does not abide by these values and expectations, he or she may be subject to administrative or disciplinary measures up to and including termination of employment.

As provided by Sections 12 and 13 of the PSDPA, if a public servant has information that could indicate a serious breach of this Code they can bring this matter, in confidence and without fear of reprisal, to the attention of their immediate supervisor, the Senior Officer for Disclosure or the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.

Public servants who are also managers are in a position of influence and authority that gives them a particular responsibility to exemplify the values of the public sector. Managers are expected to uphold this Code, model appropriate behaviours, encourage dialogue on values and ethical issues, and promote a culture based on the public sector and departmental values.

Supervisors/managers demonstrate ethical leadership by:

• Acting with transparency, fairness and objectivity in all transactions and work activities, including staffing, contracting, etc.;
• Exemplifying our values included in this Code and integrating them into policies, programs and work practices;
• Fostering a climate of trust and respect, which expects and supports ethical behaviour and in which concerns may be raised without fear of reprisal through open dialogue;
• Recognizing and reconciling competing values;
• Making commitments that are reasonable and achievable;
• Following through on commitments;
• Foreseeing consequences of actions and decisions;
• Being alert and dealing with undesirable or inappropriate conduct properly and in a timely fashion;
• Holding themselves and their teams accountable;
• Promoting and recognizing excellence and ethical conduct, and encouraging personal and professional development in a learning environment;
• Promoting, exemplifying and recognizing best practices that contribute to a healthier workplace;
• Protecting from reprisal employees who disclose any serious breach of this Code in good faith.

The Deputy Minister

The Deputy Minister has specific responsibilities under the PSDPA, including establishing a code of conduct for Industry Canada, and an overall responsibility for fostering a positive culture of values and ethics in the Department. Supported by the Director General, Human Resources Branch, as the designated Senior Official for Values and Ethics, the Deputy Minister must ensure that employees are aware of their obligations under this Code and that employees can obtain appropriate advice within the Department on ethical issues, including possible conflicts of interest.

The Deputy Minister must also ensure that this Code and internal disclosure procedures are implemented effectively and that they are regularly monitored and evaluated. The Deputy Minister is responsible for ensuring a non-partisan provision of programs and services by Industry Canada.

The Deputy Minister is subject to Chapter I of this Code and to the Conflict of Interest Act.

Senior Officer for Disclosure

The Director General of Audit and Evaluation Branch, as the Senior Officer for Disclosure, helps promote a positive environment for disclosing wrongdoing, and deals with disclosures of wrongdoing made by public servants at Industry Canada. The Senior Officer is responsible for supporting the Deputy Minister in meeting the requirements of the PSDPA.

The Senior Officer's duties and powers also include the following, in accordance with the internal disclosure procedures established under the PSDPA:

1. Provide information, advice, and guidance to public servants regarding Industry Canada's internal disclosure procedures, including the making of disclosures, the conduct of investigations into disclosures, and the handling of disclosures made to supervisors.
2. Receive and record disclosures and review them to establish whether there are sufficient grounds for further action under the PSDPA.
3. Manage investigations into disclosures, including determining whether to deal with a disclosure under the PSDPA, initiate an investigation, or cease an investigation.
4. Coordinate handling of a disclosure with the senior officer of another federal public sector organization, if a disclosure or an investigation into a disclosure involves that other organization.
5. Notify the person(s) who made a disclosure in writing of the outcome of any review and/or investigation into the disclosure, and on the status of actions taken on the disclosure, as appropriate.
6. Report the findings of investigations, as well as any systemic problems that may give rise to wrongdoings, directly to the Deputy Minister, with recommendations for corrective action, if any.

Public servants at Industry Canada are encouraged to communicate with the Internal Disclosure Office to discuss possible avenues to address their concerns.

Treasury Board Secretariat—Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer

In support of the Treasury Board President's responsibilities under section 4 of the PSDPA, the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) is responsible for promoting ethical practices in the public sector. OCHRO will work with all relevant partner organizations to implement and promote the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, and will provide advice to chief executives, deputy ministers and designated departmental officials with respect to its interpretation.

The Chief Human Resources Officer may issue directives, standards and guidelines related to this Code.

OCHRO will monitor the implementation of this Code with a view to assessing whether the stated objectives have been achieved.

Public Service Commission

The Public Service Commission is responsible for conducting staffing investigations and audits to safeguard the integrity of the public service staffing system and administering certain provisions related to political activities to maintain the non-partisanship of the public service in accordance with the Public Service Employment Act.

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Every member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and every chief executive (including deputy ministers and chief executive officers) are also included in the definition of public servant for the purpose of the PSDPA and this Code.

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Footnote 2

This Code is intended to clarify the role and expectations of public servants within the framework of Canadian parliamentary democracy as laid out in the Constitution Act and the basic principle of responsible government, which holds that the powers of the Crown are exercised by ministers who are in turn accountable to Parliament.

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Footnote 3

This text reflects the duties and responsibilities set out in Accountable Government—A Guide for Ministers and Ministers of State, the Conflict of Interest Act, the Lobbying Act and the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA).

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