OFFICE OF THE ETHICS COUNSELLOR CANADA

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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

Divestment
Sale, Blind Trust or Blind Management Agreement
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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