Attention citizen, supporters and candidates: To the polls!
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In some provinces and territories, elections are fast approaching and that means an increase in political activities.
Exactly what is a political activity? According to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA), a political activity is defined as:
- carrying on any activity in support of, within or in opposition to a political party;
- carrying on any activity in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate, before or during an election period; or
- seeking nomination or being a candidate in a federal, provincial, territorial or municipal election before or during the election period
Do public servants have the right to participate in these types of activities?
Public servants have the right to engage in political activities while maintaining the principle of political impartiality in the public service.
Although this may seem ambiguous, it simply means you may, for example, sign a candidate’s nomination papers, be a member of a political party, make a donation or use social media such as Facebook or Twitter to support or oppose a candidate or political party, place an election sign on your property or become a candidate in a municipal, provincial, territorial or federal election.
You must ensure, however, that none of these activities compromise your political impartiality as a public servant or the political impartiality of the public service in general. For example, it is recommended that you do not identify yourself as a public servant on social media sites, or use such media to participate in political activities during working hours.
What if I want to run as a candidate?
If you would like to seek nomination or be a candidate in a municipal, provincial, territorial or federal election, you must first request and obtain permission from the Public Service Commission (PSC).
This allows the PSC to have the necessary information to be satisfied that your seeking nomination or being a candidate will not impair, or be perceived as impairing, your ability to perform your duties in a politically impartial manner. The PSC will consider factors such as the nature of the election, the nature of your duties within the organizational context, and the level and visibility of your position. To facilitate this, contact the Designated Political Activities Representative at the Office of Values and Ethics, who will liaise with the PSC.
Growing number of public servants becoming candidates
Since the PSEA came into effect in 2005, the PSC has received 517 requests for permission from federal public servants in 44 organizations. Of these requests, 36 were from individuals working in our department. Most of these requests are related to municipal elections.
Such was the case for Camille. She has run in past elections and says her experience with both the Office of Values and Ethics and the PSC has been positive. "They had all the answers to my questions and provided exceptional service."
When asked what advice she would give to a public servant who would like to participate in a political activity, Camille’s response was clear. "Get informed! Don’t be afraid. Nothing will happen to your job if you have the right information. Even if you think it’s not much of a political activity, you need to tell them about it."
The golden rule
According to the PSC, what is important to understand is that the PSEA recognizes the right of public servants to engage in political activities but these activities must not impair, or be perceived as impairing, their ability to perform their duties in a politically impartial manner.
The golden rule, says a representative with the ESDC’s Office of Values and Ethics, is to talk about it. Don’t be afraid to contact them if you are thinking about taking part in political activities.
If you have any questions, call the Designated Political Activities Representative at the Office of Values and Ethics at 819-654-4947, or by email.