About the CFIA > Our Values
Statement of Values
Our Values
As employees of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency . . .
We value scientific rigour and professional and technical
competence. These play a crucial role in our decision making. We do not manipulate science
to achieve a desired outcome but acknowledge that other factors must be taken into account
in this decision making.
The reputation and credibility of the Agency are vital to our
ability to deliver our mandate. As such, we behave, internally and externally, in a way
that trust is preserved.
We are proud of the contributions we make to the quality of life
of Canadians. We value dedication and responsiveness from all employees day to day and,
particularly, during an emergency.
We value competent, qualified and motivated personnel, whose
efforts drive the results of the Agency.
To develop effective policies and strategies, we value the
perspectives of the stakeholders who are affected by our decisions.
We maintain our regulatory independence from all external
stakeholders. We have the courage to make difficult and potentially unpopular decisions
and recommendations, free from personal bias.
We are committed to our physical and psychological well-being.
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"Safeguarding the Canadian Public, Environment and Economy"
Each value has explanatory information in the form of supporting principles or
intentions and concrete examples from the life and work of the Agency as follows:
We value scientific rigour and professional and technical competence. These
play a crucial role in our decision making. We do not manipulate science to achieve a
desired outcome but acknowledge that other factors must be taken into account in this
decision making.
Supporting Principles and Examples:
We have developed the "Risk Analysis Framework to Address Animal
Health, Plant Health and Food Safety Risks within the Canadian Food Inspection Agency."
This framework supports the Government of Canadas request for government
organizations to establish systematic and holistic approaches to manage risks as part of
an Integrated Risk Management Framework.
Through a strong framework of program, inspection and laboratory
expertise we test for, and certify freedom from, for export purposes, animal and plant
pathogens present in Canada. If required for export purposes, we also do so for animal and
plant pathogens which are not present in Canada.
The reputation and credibility of the Agency are vital to our ability to
deliver our mandate. As such, we behave, internally and externally, in a way that trust is
preserved.
Supporting Principles and Examples:
If we, as employees of the Agency, have a problem with the Agency or an
individual within the Agency, we raise this internally.
We do not make derogatory comments regarding the Agency, especially in
public places.
Open dialogue and debate on issues are appreciated and encouraged, but we
support decisions once taken.
We do not engage in commitments beyond our mandate.
We respect the Agencys conflict of interest policies.
We are proud of the contributions we make to the quality of life of Canadians.
We value dedication and responsiveness from all employees day to day and, particularly,
during an emergency.
Supporting Principles and Examples:
The Agencys Corporate Business Plan delineates our commitment to
Canadians in five key areas: public health by protecting Canadians from preventable health
risks; environmental protection by sustaining the plant and animal resource base; public
security by promoting the security of Canadas food supply; economic growth by
delivering a fair and effective regulatory regime; and good governance by providing sound
Agency management.
The Agencys Rewards and Recognition Program recognizes and rewards
employees for outstanding operational, scientific, technical or administrative
achievements; difficult projects successfully completed; or valuable work consistently
well done either as individuals or as a team. The Presidents National Awards
specifically recognize exceptional service delivery, innovation and best practices,
leadership and inter-branch partnerships for activities carried out day to day
and during emergencies.
We value competent, qualified and motivated personnel, whose efforts drive the
results of the Agency.
Supporting Principles and Examples:
We are committed to professional development. We support learning and
development programs that are relevant to the business priorities of the Agency as
articulated in the Agencys Learning Policy.
We put competent individuals in place as efficiently as possible. In
keeping with our staffing values, this may mean appointment without competition if
considered necessary.
To develop effective policies and strategies, we value the perspectives of the
stakeholders who are affected by our decisions.
Supporting Principles and Examples:
We advise stakeholders of process, consult appropriately, inform them of
our decisions and explain our reasoning.
We seek stakeholder input through a variety of mechanisms, including
sector-specific advisory committees.
During emergencies, we establish ongoing dialogue with other government
departments, the provinces, the industry and the public, and hold regular media technical
briefings.
We maintain our regulatory independence from all external stakeholders. We have
the courage to make difficult and potentially unpopular decisions and recommendations,
free from personal bias.
Supporting Principles and Examples:
External stakeholders include all levels of government, consumers,
regulated parties and various other interest groups.
When necessary, we detain product, we suspend and/or revoke licences, we
close facilities, and we remove and dispose of infected materials (e.g. animals, trees).
We make these difficult decisions after an open exchange of information
and opinion with those affected.
We do not act in a way that compromises or appears to compromise our
regulatory independence.
We adhere to the purpose and principles articulated in our conflict of
interest policy with respect to gifts, hospitality and other benefits.
We are committed to our physical and psychological well-being.
Supporting Principles and Examples:
We take responsibility for the impact of our behaviour on each other.
We protect all employees from job-related harassment from both external
and internal sources.
If, during an emergency, the hours worked become potentially injurious to
an individuals well-being, we ensure that there is support provided to find the
necessary relief.
We take action to ensure that we are properly educated with respect to,
and protected against, job-related hazards.
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