Political Activities and Political Impartiality in the Public Service: Introduction

Why you should read the Reference Kit

This Reference Kit will provide you with the information that you, as a Designated Representative, will need to deal with the provisions of the new Public Service Employment Act (the new PSEA) relating to political activities.

Employees will need to be able to make reasonable decisions about whether a given activity would impair or be perceived as impairing their ability to perform their duties in a politically impartial manner. The Reference Kit will help you work more effectively and efficiently with managers, employees and human resources advisors in contributing to this decision-making process.

You will wear many hats. As a resource person, you will provide information, explanations, clarification, advice and guidance. You are also encouraged to play a proactive communications role in educating managers, employees and human resources advisors about their rights and responsibilities under the new PSEA.

The overview section of this Reference Kit provides you with the "big picture" relating to political activities of federal public servants. The governance section gives detailed information on the relevant policies, regulations and procedures. Section Three offers resources tools to implement the new provisions. You will find the communications tools found in Section Four useful for keeping stakeholders informed.

The information in this Reference Kit will also be posted on the Web at http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psea-lefp/political/index_e.htm. The contents will be updated periodically.

The role of designated representatives

As Designated Representatives, you will play an important role in making the new political activities regime work. Implementing the political activities provisions of the new PSEA will be learning experience for everyone. The Public Service Commission (PSC) will work toward ensuring the uniform application across the public service of decisions relating to political activities. It therefore proposes to build on experience by creating a database of lessons learned and best practices. By working closely with employees, managers and human resources advisors, you will contribute to the successful implementation of the provisions of the new PSEA relating to political activities.