Ethics — Summary Information

A strong culture of ethics reinforces good management. Our efforts build on the government-wide Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service, which sets forth the values and ethics of the public service to guide and support employees in all their professional activities. PWGSC is committed to upholding the public trust by ensuring our employees act in a way that reinforces and safeguards our efforts to achieve greater accountability and transparency.

Ethics Program

PWGSC has had an Ethics Program in place since 1999 — a program that has significantly evolved to meet changing needs. Our Statement of Values and Code of Conduct guide our Ethics Program. In her 2004 report, the Auditor General noted that PWGSC had one of the most comprehensive values and ethics programs in government. The Conference Board of Canada has described the Ethics Program as a "best practice in Canada" — a model for both the public and private sectors.

Recognizing the high ethical expectations Canadians have for government, the department will continue to strengthen the Ethics Program and take steps to ensure all employees understand the Code of Values and Ethics, and departmental policies and guidelines for ethical conduct.

The Ten-Point Integrity Plan

Introduced by the Deputy Minister in 2003, the Ten-Point Integrity Plan is based on our commitment to help strengthen ethical practices, restore public trust in the federal government, and provide employees with clear expectations, guidance and standards for ethical conduct.

Since its implementation, we have made progress on all 10 elements of the plan including the appointment of Ethics Officers in each branch and region, linking accountability for integrity as a factor in performance pay and clarifying management accountability by realigning the organization.

Ethics Training and Tools

PWGSC is committed to ensuring that employees have all the necessary tools and training at their disposal to act in a manner that upholds the public trust in everything they do. We are now delivering mandatory ethics training for all employees, and including discussion of ethics in employee orientation sessions as well as guidance for making ethical decisions.

We have implemented mechanisms to help employees with their ethical responsibility, such as the establishment of a toll-free, anonymous Ethics Help-Line for employees to discuss ethical issues with a senior Ethics Officer. We have also created an on-line ethics toolbox where employees can refer to a wealth of information through the FAQ's and on-line bookshelf resources.