Canadian Grain Commission

Part I. Values and ethics training plans

Question 1

Has your organization developed department-specific values and ethics training plans down to the divisional level?

• Yes

If not, to what level have department-specific values and ethics training plans been developed and what is your target time frame for completing this work?

N/A

Question 2

Has your organization fully implemented department-specific training plans?

• Yes

If not, what is your target time frame for completing this work?

N/A

Part II. Codes of conduct

Question 3

Has your organization reviewed its code of conduct?

• My organization is in the process of reviewing its code of conduct.

Question 4

If your organization is in the process of reviewing its code of conduct, what is your target time frame for completing the review?

Target date for completion of the review is by March 31, 2025.  

Question 5

If your organization has completed the review of its code of conduct, did this review lead to updates?

• My organization is in the process of updating its code of conduct.

Please briefly describe the nature of any updates made (e.g., to clarify expected behaviours, to align with the emerging context, to include emerging risks) or explain why no updates were deemed necessary.

N/A

Part III. Discussions on personal accountability in upholding public service values and ethics

Question 6

What activities or actions has your organization undertaken to foster a conversation at all levels on personal accountability to uphold our public service values and ethics?

• Dedicated discussions at executive and management committee meetings
• Focused engagement sessions for specific functional areas (e.g., operations, finance, communications, policy, human resources)
• Focused engagement sessions on specific topics (e.g., conflicts of interest, social media, emerging technologies)
• Engagement sessions with equity groups, employee groups, networks and communities
• Inclusion in employees’ performance and talent management cycle discussions

Please provide additional details on activities that you have undertaken, including those not listed above.

The Values and Ethics Program was discussed with senior leadership at the Departmental Audit Committee meeting held in November 2023. All divisions within the Canadian Grain Commission will hold unit/team discussions on values and ethics between June and October 2024. In fiscal year 2023 to 2024, all managers and employees received fraud awareness training. Additionally, the Canadian Grain Commission Values and Ethics Code was updated to include a section on anti-fraud practices.

The Values and Ethics Officer and the Executive Director of Human Resources consulted with the Canadian Grain Commission’s National Employee Equity and Inclusion Committee (NEEDIC) in February 2024.

As part of the performance management cycle, employees attest annually that they have reviewed their obligations under the public service and departmental values and ethics codes and the Directive on Conflict of Interest.  

Question 7

Has your organization taken any actions to ensure that conversations on personal accountability to uphold our public service values and ethics occur on a continuing basis?

• Included as part of the onboarding process for new employees
• Incorporated in employees’ professional development and mandatory learning plans

Please provide details on activities that you have undertaken, including those not listed above.

Values and ethics obligations are included in all offers of employment and are a mandatory component of the new employee onboarding process.

Between January and March 2024, employees were required to complete the following Canada School of Public Service training courses: Values and Ethics Foundations for Managers (FON302) and Values and Ethics Foundations for Employees (FON301).

Part IV. Additional information

Question 8

What recurring themes (e.g., social media, emerging technology, conflicts of interest) have emerged from conversations with employees (e.g., students, new public servants, front-line service providers, managers, executives, members of functional/horizontal communities/employee networks) across your organization?

The use of artificial intelligence in the workplace is a common theme generating dialogue across all divisions.

With current economic situation and continued increase in cost of living, dual employment situations are more prevalent.  

Question 9

How have you adjusted your learning activities to address recurring themes (e.g., adjusted training plans, developed specific case studies, invited expert speakers to focus on emerging themes)?

Speaker series events on artificial intelligence have been held. An internal cross-disciplinary working group has been formed to focus on artificial intelligence in grain quality assessment technology.   

Question 10

Are there any actions or learning activities that have been particularly successful in fostering conversations within your organization (e.g., new tools, creative approaches that have resonated well with employees and managers, meeting with small groups, equipping managers to lead conversations, equipping values and ethics office/practitioners)?

We have developed a facilitation guide to help managers lead discussions on values and ethics within their units and teams.  

Question 11

What indicators will be used to measure increased employee awareness of the role of values and ethics in their daily work (e.g., Public Service Employee Survey, pulse surveys, engagement with focus groups)?

Public Service Employee Survey information will be used. Feedback will also be gathered from unit/team discussions to help the values and ethics program team determine which areas are well understood and which require additional awareness or education.

Question 12

Will these indicators be disaggregated by identity factors?

• No

Question 13

Is there any additional information that you would like to share regarding your organization’s work on values and ethics (e.g., to advance particular recommendations of the Deputy Ministers’ Task Team on Values and Ethics Report)?

No additional comments.