Scenario: The Video Game Console

Group Size: 4-15

Scenario

“But Mom, I need a Pluto Gamebox!” Her son’s voice cried pleadingly in her head as she watched the man at the kiosk draw one of the many business cards from the bowl placed on the display table. Fernanda Silva, a junior officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), had been given the opportunity to attend this year’s national technology exhibition, and while visiting the different company kiosks, she had entered her business card into various raffle boxes offering prizes ranging from small gift baskets to Global Positioning System (GPS) navigators.

“And the winner is…Captain Silva…” Realizing that her name had been drawn, Fernanda was stunned, and couldn’t believe her luck! “Thank you so much. This is perfect timing!” Fernanda exclaimed. “My son has been asking for a Pluto Gamebox and I have been humming and hawing. They’re expensive, you know!” Nodding in agreement, the man at the kiosk handed Fernanda her prize and congratulated her.

Categories

• Principles: Serve Canada before Self, Obey and Support Lawful Authority
• Values: Integrity
• Cultural themes: Service
• Misconduct types: General Misconduct
• GBA Plus themes: Income
• Audience: Defence Team

Facilitator’s Guide

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the ethical principles of “Serve Canada before Self” and “Obey and Support Lawful Authority” in this setting.
• Discuss the ethical value of integrity and how it applies in this scenario.
• Discuss the CAF policy on Acceptance of Gifts, Hospitality and Other Benefits.

Facilitation Questions

1. What is the problem in this scenario?
   • Open group discussion.
2. What considerations are at play with respect to Defence Ethics?
   • Open group discussion.
   • Discuss the ethical principles of “Serve Canada before Self” and “Obey and Support Lawful Authority” in this scenario.
   • Discuss the ethical value of integrity and how it applies in this scenario.
   • Discuss the CAF policy on Acceptance of Gifts, Hospitality and Other Benefits.
3. Would you accept the prize if you had won? Why or why not?
   • Open group discussion.
   • Option 1: Do not accept the gift. Depending on its value, this may be seen to contradict DAOD 7021-3, Acceptance of Gifts, Hospitality and Other Benefits.
   • Option 2: Accept the gift and accept consequences. When we accept gifts as CAF members from private companies, this could create a sentiment of special reciprocity towards that company. Each relationship we build while in the service of the government must be balanced with the necessity of maintaining the integrity of the Canadian government. When we accept gifts because of these relationships, we are at risk of losing our impartiality and of giving or being perceived to give undue credit to a particular company and, thereby, inject a lack of fairness in the way that we, the department, or even the government deal with the private sector.