CFB Kingston Continues the Conversation on Values and Ethics
November 1st, 2024 - Defence Stories
On October 16, 2024, Natasha Kim, Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Lieutenant-General Paul Prévost, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC), joined Defence Team members at CFB Kingston for an open and candid conversation on values and ethics. This in-person event was held in conjunction with the two-day Federal Public Service Values and Ethics Symposium, which offered public servants across the country the opportunity to participate in a range of values and ethics sessions, such as Upholding Democracy, Serving Canadians: Understanding Our Role as Public Servants, and Exploring the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector.
At the CFB Kingston event, Associate Deputy Minister Kim and Lieutenant-General Prévost addressed the many new challenges the Defence Team is facing as we serve and protect Canadians. They explored how the pace of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, and rising crises across the globe are making us turn to our shared values and ethics more and more to guide our actions.
Participants were given the opportunity to share their experiences and ask a panel of experts from CPCC, ADM(HR-Civ), the Canadian Defence Academy, as well as Associate Deputy Minister Kim and Lieutenant-General Prévost questions about values and ethics in today’s operational environment. Many of the questions raised will resonate with Defence Team members across Canada, for example:
- How can we make values and ethics a more concrete part of our onboarding process for new CAF members and DND employees?
- How are we supporting our members who demonstrate the courage to speak up and take action when things are not right?
- How can we create inclusive spaces for all Defence Team members and address continued instances of inappropriate conduct in the workplace?
The panelists discussed initiatives that are underway to support our Defence Team members in making ethical decisions. These include implementing L1 culture evolution plans and promoting leaders who live by and foster the principles of the DND and CAF Code of Values and Ethics and the Canadian Armed Forces Ethos: Trusted to Serve. The discussion emphasized how our code will continue to guide us, even as the environment and context of our work changes.
It was a thoughtful discussion that demonstrated Defence Team members’ careful consideration of our institutional values and their dedication to being able to serve this country in an ethical manner.
Thank you to all Defence Team members who participated in these values and ethics learning events. Regularly sharing and exploring our thoughts on values and ethics is essential to upholding them in our day-to-day work.
The Values and Ethics Discussion Toolkit, accessible through your Canada School of Public Service account, and the Professional Conduct Scenarios, are great tools to help you start these conversations with your teams.
Let’s keep the conversations going!