The IPAC Statement of Principles Regarding the Conduct of Public Employees (1987)
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| Principles | 97.00 kB | Nov 20, 2010 | Principles |
Since its creation, members of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada have striven to ensure that the public services of Canada be seen as neutral, non-partisan, effective and innovative institutions that serve the best interests of the governments and citizens of this country. We welcome your feedback regarding our Statement of Principles.
Preamble
The Institute of Public Administration of Canada is committed in its by-laws to promoting and maintaining "high ideals and traditions in the public service" and to giving expression "to the considered view of the members on questions of public duty and professional etiquette." To help achieve these objectives, the Institute has, after extensive consultation with its members, adopted this Statement of Principles Regarding the Conduct of Public Employees.
The Institute's dedication to excellence in public service is manifested in large part through efforts to improve the quality of the practice of public administration. We, the members of the Institute, intend that this Statement of Principles should enhance the performance of our members by encouraging high standards of conduct, whether they work in the federal, provincial or local government sectors. We intend also that this Statement should inform the general public, politicians and the news media of the principles and standards which should guide official behaviour.
We believe that high standards of conduct among government officials are central to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in government. We believe also that there is widespread agreement in Canada's public administration community on certain principles and standards of proper conduct. Nevertheless, we recognize that public employees experience conflicts of values or loyalties. In such cases, the principles in this Statement may provide valuable guidance. We recognize further that on occasion difficult decisions facing public employees can ultimately be resolved only by resorting to individual conscience.
The principles in this Statement are expressed in terms of what should be done as opposed to what shall or must be done. No mechanism is provided for their enforcement. While this Statement is intended for the members of the Institute, we recognize that it can serve as a valuable reference guide for all public employees.
Certain principles in this Statement cannot be easily applied to persons working in such specialized areas of public administration as post-secondary institutions, advisory bodies and public corporations. The environment in which these persons work may dictate a somewhat different approach. For example, the right of faculty members in universities and colleges to academic freedom may be incompatible with limitations on their political rights. Nevertheless, employees in such circumstances are enjoined to adhere to the principles in this Statement that are applicable to them and to the general spirit of the Statement.
The Principles
Accountability
Public employees are accountable for the quality of their advice, for carrying out their assigned duties and for achieving policy and program objectives within the framework of law, prevailing constraints, direction from their superiors, and the limits of the authority and resources at their disposal.
Public employees are accountable on a day-to-day basis to their superiors for their own actions and the actions of their subordinates. They owe their primary duty, however, to their political superiors. They are indirectly accountable to the legislature or council and to the public through their political superiors. Public servants also have a responsibility to report any violation of the law to the appropriate authorities.
Service to the Public
Public employees should provide service to the public in a manner which is courteous, equitable, efficient and effective.
Public employees should be sensitive and responsive to the changing needs, wishes and rights of the public while respecting the legal and constitutional framework within which service to the public is provided.
To promote excellence in public service, public employees have a responsibility to maintain and improve their own competence and to assist in enhancing the competence of their colleagues.
The Public Interest
Public employees should resolve any conflict between their personal or private interests and their official duties in favour of the public interest. Public employees should seek to serve the public interest by upholding both the letter and the spirit of the laws established by the legislature or council and of the regulations and directions made pursuant to these laws.
Political Neutrality
Public employees should be sensitive to the political process and knowledgeable about the laws and traditions regarding political neutrality that are applicable to their sphere of employment.
It is the responsibility of public employees to provide forthright and objective advice to, and carry out the directions of, their political superiors.
Public employees have a duty to carry out government decisions loyally, irrespective of the party or persons in power and irrespective of their personal opinions.
Political Rights
Public employees should enjoy the fullest possible measure of political rights that is compatible with laws, regulations and conventions designed to preserve the political neutrality of the public service.
Public employees have a responsibility to avoid participation in partisan politics that is likely to impair the political neutrality of the public service or the perception of that neutrality. In return, employees should not be compelled to engage in partisan political activities or be subjected to threats or discrimination for refusing to engage in such activities.
Public employees should not express their personal views on matters of political controversy or on government policy or administration when such comment is likely to impair public confidence in the objective and efficient performance of their duties. It is the responsibility of public employees to seek approval from the appropriate governmental authority whenever they are uncertain as to the legality or propriety of expressing their personal views.
Conflict of Interest
Public employees should not engage in any business or transaction or have any financial or other personal interest that is, or may appear to be, incompatible with the performance of their official duties.
Public employees should not, in the performance of their official duties, seek personal or private gain by granting preferential treatment to any persons.
Public employees should not solicit nor, unless duly authorized, accept transfers of economic value from persons with whom they have contact in their official capacity.
Public employees should not use, or permit the use of, government property of any kind for activities not associated with the performance of their official duties, unless they are authorized to do so.
Public employees should not seek or obtain personal or private gain from the use of information acquired during the course of their official duties which is not generally available to the public.
Confidentiality
Public employees should not disclose to any member of the public, either orally or in writing, any secret or confidential information acquired by virtue of their official position.
Within the bounds of law and propriety, public employees should be sensitive and responsive to the needs of the public, the news media and legislators for information on and explanation of the content and administration of government policies and programs.
Discrimination and Harassment
All public employees have a duty to treat members of the public and one another fairly and to ensure that their work environment is free from discrimination and harassment.
For Further Reading
The Responsible Public Servant, by Kenneth Kernaghan and John W. Langford, is available from IPAC. This book contains a chapter on each of the principles.
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