The Office of the Ethics Commissioner was created in 2004 as a result of amendments to the Parliament of Canada Act. The objective of the enabling legislation was to provide for an Ethics Commissioner to perform the duties and functions assigned by the House of Commons regarding the conduct of its Members and to administer any ethical principles, rules or obligations established by the Prime Minister for public office holders.

I assumed the duties of Ethics Commissioner in May 2004. My office has two major responsibilities: the administration of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons and the related but separate Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders.

In discharging my duties, my role and that of my Office is to support the principles adopted by Parliament as outlined in these two Codes. In both cases, the purposes are to enhance confidence and trust in our government and parliamentary institutions, and to assure Canadians that our government and elected representatives are held to standards that place the public interest above their private interests and act, in an honest and transparent manner.

Associated with the provision of both these Codes, I can also provide confidential advice to Members of the House of Commons and Public Office Holders subject to either Code; conduct inquiries when questions of appropriate compliance are raised by parliamentarians; and undertake educational activities and initiatives for Members of the House and the general public regarding my role and the Codes I administer.

This website is an important initiative in that last regard and I hope that you will find it both informative and useful. If you do have suggestions for its improvement, or any question or comment, please contact us at
oec-bce@parl.gc.ca

Bernard J. Shapiro
Ethics Commissioner