Chapter 1 – Values
Introduction
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the federal public sector remains professional, non-partisan and ethical, and worthy of the trust and respect of Canadians. As public servants, we contribute to good governance, to democracy and to supporting the well-being of Canadian society. We are committed to respecting the law and to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fairness and the Charter principle of substantive equality.
In accordance with section 6 of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA), the Values and Ethics Code of the Department of Justice (the Code) sets out the values and ethics that guide employees at the Department in all their professional activities. It also provides a set of guidelines and principles to support ethical behaviour and decision-making. Developed in consultation with employees and bargaining agents, the Code reflects our shared values and serves as a common foundation for ethical conduct across the Department.
Employees at the Department are proud to work together, drawing on the richness of its diverse staff. As a group, we are conscious of the fact that Canadians expect transparency and respect for the principle of accountability from employees at all levels.
This firm commitment to the values and ethics enshrined in the Code will allow us to carry out the mandate of the Department and build a healthy, safe, and productive work environment that fosters excellence, while at the same time meeting the high expectations of Canadians. This is our collective commitment, and it is our individual responsibility.
Objectives
The Code outlines the values and expected behaviours that guide employees in all activities related to their professional duties. By committing to these values and adhering to the expected behaviours, you strengthen the ethical culture of the public sector and contribute to public confidence in the integrity of all public institutions.
The Code provides guidance for common situations involving our work. In all circumstances, each employee is expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards that are to be expected from a public servant.
Application
The Code is inspired by the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and integrates the Treasury Board’s Policy on People Management and Directive on Conflict of Interest. It has been adapted to reflect the distinct culture and procedures of the Department and to provide its employees with guidance in matters of values and ethics.Footnote 1
The Code applies to all employees at the Department. Acceptance of the values and adherence to the expected behaviours set out in the Code is a condition of employment for every employee, regardless of their level or position. Breaching these values or behaviours may result in disciplinary measures, up to and including termination of employment.
In addition to the requirements set out in the Code, employees must also comply with any specific codes and standards applicable to their profession.
The role of public servants
Public servants have a fundamental role to play in serving Canadians, their communities, and the public interest under the direction of the elected government and in accordance with the law. As professionals whose work is essential to Canada’s well-being and the enduring strength of Canadian democracy, public servants uphold the public trust.
The Constitution of Canada and the principles of responsible government provide the foundation for the role, responsibilities and values of the federal public sector. Constitutional conventions of ministerial responsibility prescribe the appropriate relationships among ministers, parliamentarians, public servants, and the public. A professional and non-partisan federal public sector is integral to our democracy.
The role of ministers
Ministers are also responsible for preserving public trust and confidence in the integrity of public sector organizations and for upholding the tradition and practice of a professional non-partisan federal public sector. Furthermore, ministers play a critical role in supporting public servants’ responsibility to provide professional and non-partisan advice.
Statement of values and expected behaviours
The following values guide employees at the Department in everything they do. They cannot be considered in isolation from each other as they often overlap. The Code is an important source of guidance for employees and its values will guide us in our decisions, actions, policies, and processes. Similarly, employees can expect to be treated in accordance with these values:
- Respect for democracy
- Respect for people
- Integrity
- Stewardship
- Excellence
The Code also describes specific behaviours that, while not exhaustive, help employees uphold these five values.
1. Respect for democracy
The system of Canadian parliamentary democracy and its institutions are fundamental to serving the public interest. Employees 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.
At the Department, we support democracy by helping to make Canada’s justice system as accessible, fair, and efficient as possible, and ensuring that public sector institutions we advise are acting in compliance with the law and the Constitution.
Expected behaviours
Employees shall uphold the Canadian parliamentary democracy and its institutions by:
- 1.1 Respecting the rule of law and carrying out their duties in accordance with legislation, policies and directives in a non-partisan and impartial manner
- 1.2 Loyally carrying out the lawful decisions of their leaders and supporting ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians
- 1.3 Subject to certain exceptions recognized under law, employees must be loyal to their employer and avoid public criticism of their employer in alignment with their Duty of Loyalty, including criticisms on social media platforms
- 1.4 Providing decision makers with all the evidence-based information, analysis and advice they need, always striving to be open, candid and impartial
2. Respect for people
Treating all people with respect, dignity and fairness is fundamental to our relationship with the Canadian public. This contributes to creating a safe and healthy work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. It also promotes engagement, openness, and transparency. The diversity of our people and their ideas and beliefs are the source of our excellence. We are also an inclusive and accessible workplace that recognizes the importance of the principle of substantive equality in the Charter.
In our Department, we recognize that our greatest asset is our employees, who are committed to working in an atmosphere of confidence, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Expected behaviours
Employees shall respect human dignity and the value of every person by:
- 2.1 Treating every person with respect and fairness, regardless of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, residency, citizenship, age, sex, gender-identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, or religion
- 2.2 Valuing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and making the best use of the knowledge, skills, and expertise of all employees, including all equity group members
- 2.3 Creating and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces that are free from harassment and discrimination
- 2.4 Recognizing and addressing personal and systemic biases by working to establish an inclusive and accessible workplace for all employees while supporting efforts in the Department and broader public service to address systemic issues
- 2.5 Within the scope of their roles and responsibilities, supporting the implementation of all initiatives that promote a healthy and safe workplace for all, including for equity group members
- 2.6 Working together in a spirit of openness, honesty, and transparency that encourages engagement, collaboration and respectful communication while respecting diversity of opinions
- 2.7 Fostering a workplace culture in which all employees, in all positions, work together in good faith to prevent the escalation of conflicts and resolve or manage them as early as possible in a respectful, constructive, transparent, and creative manner
3. Integrity
Integrity is the cornerstone of good governance and democracy. By upholding the highest ethical standards, we conserve and enhance public confidence in the honesty, fairness, accountability, and impartiality of the federal public sector and the Crown.
At the Department, we are committed to respecting the law and maintaining the strictest rules of integrity and fairness.
Expected behaviours
Employees shall serve the public interest by:
- 3.1 Always acting 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
- 3.2 Never using their official roles to inappropriately obtain an advantage for themselves or to advantage or disadvantage others
- 3.3 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
- 3.4 Always acting in such a way as to maintain their employer’s trust
- 3.5 Maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained through their position and respecting the rules governing information management
- 3.6 Always conducting themselves in a manner that does not harm the reputation of the Department, the Government of Canada, or the departments and agencies they support
- 3.7 Exercising good judgment in how they engage on social media or online so that their professionalism and their ability to perform their duties in a professional and non-partisan way are not called into question
- 3.8 Limiting themselves to authorized and lawful uses of the Department’s systems, devices, and electronic networks
- 3.9 Limiting their use of external artificial intelligence tools to authorized purposes to prevent the disclosure of protected or confidential information and using internal artificial intelligence tools responsibly and in accordance with established guiding principles
4. Stewardship
Employees are entrusted to use and care for public resources responsibly.
At the Department, we recognize that the responsible use of resources is the duty of every employee, and we are committed to reflecting this in our daily activities.
Expected behaviours
Employees shall use resources responsibly by:
- 4.1 Effectively and efficiently using the public money, property and resources managed by them
- 4.2 Considering the present and long-term effects that their actions have on people and the environment
- 4.3 Acquiring, preserving, and sharing knowledge and information as appropriate
- 4.4 Respecting policies, directives, guidelines and directions related to the workplace, including work hours, whether teleworking or in any other designated workplace
5. Excellence
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.
At the Department, we strive to create a workplace where employees at all levels and from all backgrounds work toward common goals and support the Department’s mandate.
Expected behaviours
Employees shall demonstrate professional excellence by:
- 5.1 Providing fair, timely, efficient, and effective services that respect Canada’s official languages
- 5.2 Continually improving the quality of the policies, programs, and services they provide
- 5.3 Fostering a work environment that promotes teamwork, learning and innovation
- 5.4 Consistently applying the policies and directives of the Department and central agencies
- 5.5 Recognizing the diversity of our workforce as a strength and continually improving practices that support inclusion and accessibility
Avenues for resolution
The expected behaviours identified above are not intended to address every possible ethical issue that may arise during an employee’s daily work. When ethical issues arise, you are encouraged to discuss and address them with your manager. You can also seek advice and support from other resources within the Department, including the Ombuds and Informal Resolution Services Office (available on the Government of Canada network only), the Human Resources Branch and the office responsible for values and ethics (available on the Government of Canada network only), the Designated Recipient for Harassment, Violence or Discrimination notice of occurrences (available on the Government of Canada network only) or your union representative.
Employees at all levels are expected to address issues fairly and respectfully, while being mindful of diversity, equity and inclusion principles. When appropriate, they should consider informal processes, such as dialogue or mediation.
As provided by section 12 and subsection 13(1) of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA), if public servants have information that could indicate wrongdoing as defined under the PSDPA, they can bring the matter, in confidence and without fear of reprisal, to the attention of their immediate supervisor, the Senior Officer for Internal Disclosure of wrongdoing or the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.
The Senior Officer for Internal Disclosure of wrongdoing is responsible for supporting the Deputy Minister in meeting the requirements of the PSDPA. They help promote a positive environment for disclosing wrongdoing, and deal with disclosures of wrongdoing made by employees of the organization. Further information on the duties and powers of the Senior Officer for Internal Disclosure of wrongdoing can be found under Annex A.
Members of the public who have reason to believe that a public servant has not acted in accordance with the Code can bring the matter to the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner to disclose wrongdoing as defined under the PSDPA.
Other requirements, policies, and legislation
Justice employees are required to observe this and any specific conduct requirements contained in the statutes governing the Department and their profession, where applicable. Employees are encouraged to access information and resources available on the departmental intranet and on federal government websites and seek their manager’s advice when questions or a need for clarification arise. They are also encouraged to consult policies, collective agreements and legislation as needed.
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