Our Departmental Values

Values and Ethics is a fundamental element of the work of the Public Service of Canada.

Values refer to the beliefs and convictions that are important to, and developed from, Canada’s democratic system of government; Ethics refers to the conscious reflection on our values, standards, principles and beliefs with the aim of improving, extending or refining our beliefs, decisions and actions. To be ethical means to be committed to doing the right thing and behaving in a manner that is consistent with our values.

The public sector values embody and reflect what the Public Service of Canada stands for: Respect for democracy, Respect for People, Integrity, Stewardship and Excellence. These values are the foundation for all of the work of federal public sector employees.

Click on each values to learn more and find resources.

Respect for Democracy

Core Value and Expected Behaviours
Definition Expected Behaviours
The system of Canadian parliamentary democracy and its institutions are fundamental to serving the public interest. Public servants recognize that elected officials are accountable to Parliament, and ultimately to the Canadian people, and that a non-partisan public sector is essential to our democratic system. Public servants shall uphold the Canadian parliamentart democracy and its institutions by:
  • Respecting the rule of law and carrying out their duties in accordance with legislation , policies and directives in a non-partisan and impartial manner;
  • Loyally carrying out the lawful decisions of their leaders and support ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians;
  • Providing decision makers with all the information, analysis and advice they need, always striving to be open, candid and impartial.

Resources for Employees

Respect for People

Core Value and Expected Behaviours
Definition Expected Behaviours
Treating all people with respect, dignity and fairness is fundamental to our relationship with the Canadian public and contributes to a safe and healthy work environment that promotes engagement, openness and transparency. The diversity of our people and the ides they generate are the source of our innovation. Public servants shall respect human dignity and the value of every person by:
  • Treating every person with respect and fairness;
  • Valuing diversity and the benefit of combing the unique qualities and strengths inherent in a diverse workforce;
  • Helping to create and maintain safe and healthy workplaces that are free from harassment and discrimination;
  • Working together in a spirit of openness, honesty and transparency that encourages engagement, collaboration and respectful communication.

Resources for Employees

Integrity

Core Value and Expected Behaviours
Definition Expected Behaviours
Integrity is the cornerstone of good governance and democracy. By upholding the highest ethical standards, public servants conserve and enhance public confidence in the honesty, fairness and impartiality of the federal public sector. Public servants shall serve the public interest by:
  • Acting at all times with integrity and in a manner that will bear the closest public scrutiny, an obligation that may not be fully satisfied by simply acting within the law;
  • Never using their official roles to inappropriately obtain advantage for themselves or to advantage or disadvantage others;
  • Taking all possible steps to prevent and resolve any real, apparent or potential conflicts of interest between their official responsibilities and their private affairs in favour of the public interest;
  • Acting in such a way as to maintain their employer’s trust.

Resources for Employees

Stewardship

Core Value and Expected Behaviours
Definition Expected Behaviours
Federal public servants are entrusted to use and care for public resources responsibly, for both the short-term and long-term. Public servants shall use resources responsibly by:
  • Effectively using the public money, property and resources managed by them;
  • Considering the present and long-term effects that their actions have on people and the environment;
  • Acquiring, preserving and sharing knowledge and information as appropriate.

Resources for Employees

Excellence

Core Value and Expected Behaviours
Definition Expected Behaviours
Excellence in the design and delivery of public sector policy, programs and services is beneficial to every aspect of Canadian public life. Engagement, collaboration, effective teamwork and professional development are all essential to a high-performing organization. Public servants shall demonstrate professional excellence by:
  • Providing fair, timely, efficient and effective services that respect Canada’s official languages;
  • Continually improving the quality of policies, programs and services they provide;
  • Fostering a work environment that promotes teamwork, learning and innovation.

Resources for Employees