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Frequently Asked Questions
Office of the Ethics Commissioner
General
Ethics Commissioner
General
Public Office Holders (POH)
General
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Coming soon
Coming soon
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Coming soon
Coming soon
Political Activities for Governor in Council (GIC) Appointees
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While it is recognized that it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to establish the ethical principles, rules and obligations for public office holders, and while it is acknowledged that the Office of the Ethics Commissioner has been working closely with the Privy Council Office in relation to a guideline on political activities for Governor in Council appointees, in the interim, the following "Questions and Answers" reflect the advice the Office of the Ethics Commissioner provides to GIC appointees who are subject to the Conflict of Interest and Post-employment Code for Public Office Holders in relation to their political activities.
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While it is essential to recognize that GIC appointees are required to curtail their involvement in political activities by virtue of the office they hold, it is important to respect their democratic rights to participate in our political system.
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However, in discharging their official responsibilities as public office holders, Governor in Council (GIC) appointees are required to 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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These "Questions and Answers" do not apply to those GIC appointees who are Deputy Heads as defined in the Public Service Employment Act. These individuals are subject to the provisions on political activities included in that Act. Any enquiries related to a deputy head should be referred to the Senior Personnel and Special Projects Secretariat, Privy Council Office, who will liaise with the Public Service Commission on such issues.
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Enquiries should be referred to the Office of the Ethics Commissioner at (613) 995-0721.
Full-Time Governor in Council (GIC) Appointees
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Is it permissible for a full-time GIC appointee to vote in a federal, provincial or municipal election?
YES, voting is a fundamental right in a free and democratic society and is not limited by the application of the Conflict of Interest and Post-employment Code for Public Office Holders.
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Is it permissible to hold membership in a federal political party?
YES, simple membership is permissible; however, any further activities associated with the membership are not.
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Is it permissible to hold an executive position in a federal riding association?
NO, such participation may bring into question one's impartiality and objectivity.
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Is it permissible to hold membership in a provincial political party?
YES, same response as question 2.
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Is it permissible to hold an executive position in a provincial riding association?
NO, same response as question 3.
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Is it permissible to make donations to a federal political party?
YES, within the provisions of the applicable legislation on electoral financing.
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Is it permissible to make donations to a provincial political party?
YES, within the provisions of the applicable legislation on electoral financing.
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Is it permissible to attend all parties candidates' public meetings?
YES, since the meeting is not restricted to one political party.
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Is it permissible for a full-time GIC appointee to express political views in a public setting?
NO. Full-time GIC appointees may express their political views in private only. To do so in public may be seen as bringing into question their impartiality and objectivity.
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Is it permissible to seek nomination to run as a candidate, work for, campaign for, solicit funds for, or otherwise endorse a candidate in a federal election?
NO, a full-time GIC appointee must resign if he or she wishes to engage in any of these activities.
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With respect to any permissible activities, are they limited to one's riding, or is it permissible to conduct such activities in another riding?
The answers provided above apply to all ridings.
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Is it permissible to hold membership in a federal political organization, such as a separate Club whose membership is based on the amount of contributions made to a political party?
When the membership is automatic resulting from donations to the party as allowed under the relevant electoral financing legislation, then membership is permitted. However, GIC appointees may not attend any functions restricted to Club members.
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Is it permissible to attend partisan or social events being held or sponsored by a particular political party?
NO, attendance at a particular political party event may bring into question one's impartiality and objectivity.
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Is it permissible to attend a meeting of a political organization as a guest of another person or organization who has paid the entrance fee or membership?
NO, attendance at a meeting of a political organization may bring into question one's impartiality and integrity. As well, acceptance of such a benefit may place the GIC appointee in a position of obligation to the donor of the benefit (i.e. entrance fee).
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Is it permissible to attend fundraising events such as a Federal Leader's function?
NO, such attendance would bring into question one's impartiality and objectivity.
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With respect to question 15 above, is it permissible to attend such functions if the entrance fee is paid for by another person or organization?
NO, in addition to the response to question 15, acceptance of the benefit may place the GIC appointee in a position of obligation to the donor (i.e. entrance fee).
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Is it permissible for a spouse to participate in any of the above activities or to make donations to a political party?
Spouses are not subject to the Conflict of Interest and Post-employment Code for Public Office Holders. GIC appointees must ensure a situation does not arise where they may be perceived as carrying out an activity indirectly that they cannot do directly.
Part-Time Governor in Council (GIC) Appointees
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Is it permissible for a part-time GIC appointee to vote in a federal, provincial or municipal election?
YES, voting is a fundamental right in a free and democratic society and is not limited by the application of the Conflict of Interest and Post-employment Code for Public Office Holders.
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Is it permissible to hold membership in a federal political party?
YES, simple membership is permissible; however any further activities associated with the membership are not.
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Is it permissible to hold an executive position in a federal riding association?
NO, such participation may bring into question one's impartiality and objectivity.
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Is it permissible to hold membership in a provincial political party?
YES, same response as question 19.
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Is it permissible to hold an executive position in a provincial riding association?
NO, same response as question 20.
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Is it permissible to make donations to a federal political party?
YES, within the provisions of the applicable legislation on electoral financing.
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Is it permissible to make donations to a provincial political party?
YES, within the provisions of the applicable legislation on electoral financing.
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Is it permissible to attend all parties candidates’ public meetings?
YES, since the meeting is not restricted to one political party.
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Is it permissible for a part-time GIC appointee to express political or partisan views in a public setting?
NO. Part-time GIC appointees may express their political views in private only. To do so in public may be seen as bringing into question their impartiality and objectivity.
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Is it permissible to seek nomination to run as a candidate, work for, campaign for, solicit funds for, or otherwise endorse a candidate in a federal election?
YES, provided the part-time GIC appointee is: (i) not the head of his or her own agency; (ii) is not appointed to serve in a quasi-judicial body; and (iii) is on leave of absence without pay. (If the GIC appointee is elected to public office, he or she must resign before assuming that office).
However, a part-time GIC appointee who serves as head of a federal organization or appointed to serve in a quasi-judicial capacity is required to resign before undertaking any of these activities.
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With respect to any permissible activities, are they limited to one’s riding, or is it permissible to conduct such activities in another riding?
The answers provided above apply to all ridings.
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Is it permissible to hold membership in a federal political organization, such as a separate Club whose membership is based on the amount of contributions made to a political party?
When the membership is automatic resulting from donations to the party as allowed under the relevant electoral financing legislation, then membership is permitted. However, GIC appointees may not attend any functions restricted to Club members.
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Is it permissible to attend partisan or social events being held or sponsored by a political party?
NO, attendance at a particular political party event may bring into question one’s impartiality and objectivity.
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Is it permissible to attend a meeting of a political organization as a guest of another person or organization who has paid the entrance fee or membership?
NO, attendance at a meeting of a political organization may bring into question one’s impartiality and integrity. As well, acceptance of such a benefit may place the GIC appointee in a position of obligation to the donor of the benefit (i.e. entrance fee).
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Is it permissible to attend fundraising events such as a Federal Leader’s function?
NO, such attendance would bring into question one’s impartiality and objectivity.
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With respect to question 32 above, is it permissible to attend such functions if the entrance fee is paid for by another person or organization?
NO, in addition to the response to question 32, acceptance of the benefit may place the GIC appointee in a position of obligation to the donor (i.e. entrance fee).
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Is it permissible for a spouse to participate in any of the above activities or to make donations to a political party?
Spouses are not subject to the Conflict of Interest and Post-employment Code for Public Office Holders. GIC appointees must ensure a situation does not arise where they may be perceived as carrying out an activity indirectly that they cannot do directly.
Members of the House of Commons
General
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I’m a new M.P. What do I need to do?
New MPs - Initial Compliance
You will be receiving from the Office of the Ethics Commissioner a questionnaire called Disclosure Statement. As per Section 20 of the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons (the Code), all Members are required to disclose their private interests and those of their family members (spouse, common-law partner, dependent children). This document must be filed with the Office of the Ethics Commissioner within 60 days of your name being published in the Canada Gazette confirming your election.
Once you return the completed Disclosure Statement along with copies of recent financial statements, the Office of the Ethics Commissioner will perform the necessary analysis and inform you of any specific measures that need to be taken in order to comply with the Code.
Once the analysis is completed, you will be asked to review and sign a Disclosure Summary, prepared by the Office of the Ethics Commissioner on the basis of the information provided in the Disclosure Statement that you and your family members have provided. The Disclosure Summary is composed of those assets, income, and liabilities that you and your family members possess that must be declared publicly. For additional information, please refer to section Information on the Public Registry
Once the Disclosure Summary is returned duly signed, it is placed in the Public Registry maintained in the Office of the Ethics Commissioner and is available for public access during normal business hours. You will be notified in writing of your compliance with the Code.
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I’m a returning M.P. What do I need to do?
Returning MPs - Compliance Review
The Office of the Ethics Commissioner will send you a snapshot of all of the information you previously disclosed in order to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code during the 38th Parliament. You will be asked to review, update and return it to the Office of the Ethics Commissioner.
The Office of the Ethics Commissioner will perform the necessary analysis and inform you if there is any additional compliance measures that need to be taken in order to continue to comply with the Code.
Once the analysis is completed, you will be asked to review and sign a new Disclosure Summary, representing the assets, income, and liabilities that you and your family members must declare publicly. Even if there are no changes since your last confidential disclosure to the Office of the Ethics Commissioner, a new Disclosure Summary is required for the 39th Parliament.
Once the Disclosure Summary is returned duly signed, it will be placed in the Public Registry maintained in the Office of the Ethics Commissioner and will be available for public access during normal business hours. You will be notified that you are in compliance with the Code.
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