Rules for Public Office Holders

The Conflict of Interest Act is divided into five parts. The first part describes conflict of interest rules; the second, compliance measures; the third, post-employment obligations; the fourth, its administration and enforcement; and the fifth, generalities.

This summary is intended as a quick reference. The Conflict of Interest Act itself is the final authority. There are detailed information notices available on the Office's website on specific subjects and you are also encouraged to seek advice from your advisor by contacting the Office at 613-995-0721 or by email at info@cie.parl.gc.ca.

If you are a reporting public office holder, please refer to the Summary of Rules for Reporting Public Office Holders. If you are a minister or parliamentary secretary, please consult the Summary of Rules for Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries.

Part 1 – Conflict of Interest Rules

Public office holders are in a conflict of interest when they exercise an official power, duty or function that provides an opportunity to further their private interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further another person’s private interests (section 4).

Compliance with the Act is a condition of your appointment or employment as a public office holder (s. 19).

You have a general duty to arrange your private affairs to prevent conflicts of interest (s. 5).

You are prohibited from:

For more information, you may wish to consult our information notices on gifts or other advantagesfundraising, and offers of outside employment.

Part 2 – Compliance Measures

For more information, you may wish to consult our information notice on recusal obligations.

Part 3 – Post-Employment

You are prohibited, indefinitely, from:

Part 4 – Administration and Enforcement

The Commissioner may conduct an examination:

For more information, you may wish to consult our information notice on investigations under the Act.

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