Since 1973, there have been various guidelines, principles and Codes in effect with respect to the conduct of Public Office Holders. As well, since 1978, Public Office Holders are also subject to post-employment guidelines.

The Parliament of Canada Act requires that the ethical principles, Rules and obligations for Public Office Holders shall be laid before each House of Parliament within 30 days after a Prime Minister assumes office. The last revised Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders was presented to Parliament by the Right Honorable Paul Martin in October 2004.

The Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders defines who is subject to its regime, provides the guidelines, timelines for disclosure and the framework for compliance measures with respect, for instance, to assets and liabilities, gifts, hospitality and other benefits, outside activities and preferential treatment.

With respect to Public Office Holders, one of the Ethics Commissioner's responsibility is to administer the Code itself, including the public registry. In addition, section 72.07 of the Parliament of Canada Act enables him to provide confidential advice to any Public Office Holder and to the Prime Minister. Finally, section 72.08 allows for the Ethics Commissioner to conduct inquiries, at the request of a parliamentarian, into alleged breach of the Code by a minister of the Crown, a minister of state or a parliamentary secretary.

In addition to the Code itself, this section of the website contains the public registry, some information key to understanding the Code, the confidential disclosure statement forms, the Commissioner's inquiries' reports pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act, as well as his annual reports on his activities in relation to Public Office Holders. Finally, there is also some reference material on the guidelines applicable to Public Office Holders.