ESDC Code of Conduct - Frequently Asked Questions

The Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA) required Treasury Board to establish a Code of Conduct applicable to the entire public sector.

The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector applies to the core administration, Crown corporations and separate agencies. In order to provide guidance relevant to employees of each department, the PSDPA also required public sector organizations to establish a code consistent with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.

The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and the ESDC Code of Conduct apply to all ESDC public servants, regardless of level or position.

Public servants include indeterminate and term employees; individuals on approved leave with or without pay; students participating in student employment programs; casual, seasonal and part-time workers; individuals on secondment from other government organizations and individuals participating in exchange programs such as Interchange Canada.

The Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act (section 107) states that when a notice to bargain is given to the employer, conditions of employment in effect on that day are maintained or frozen for all members of that bargaining unit until the new collective agreement is signed.

The ESDC Code of Conduct and the Treasury Board Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment (Policy) could be affected by statutory freeze situations in relation to the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act if updates made to either of the two instruments represents a change to the terms and conditions of employment.

The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and the ESDC Code of Conduct are a condition of employment and a tool aimed at providing employees with guidance on values and expected behaviours in the workplace to foster a culture of right-doing.

A breach of the Codes may result in administrative or disciplinary measures being taken, up to and including termination of employment.

The ESDC Code of Conduct is intended to provide information and guidance to employees with regard to ethical behaviour in their day-to-day operations and ethical decision-making at ESDC.

We recommend that you start by discussing the issue with your supervisor. For additional information, please consult the subject matter experts listed in Annex 1 of the ESDC Code of Conduct. You may also wish to consult the Web page Where to go for help or support?

The ESDC Code of Conduct is an elaboration of the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and substantially reproduces the Treasury Board Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment. The ESDC Code of Conduct outlines the values of Respect for Democracy, Respect for People, Integrity, Stewardship and Excellence, describes expected behaviours required to exemplify these values and provides guidance with regard to avoiding conflict of interest situations.

The ESDC Code of Conduct Web site contains a slew of information on the Code, including the Code itself, as well as resources geared towards each of the five values.

As for training, on the ESDC Code of Conduct Web site, you will find a PowerPoint presentation providing basic training on our organizational Code. The Canada School of Public Service also provides updated training for both employees and managers to reflect the new Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.

For additional information, please consult the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat FAQs on the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.