Communiqué to employees: 2015 Federal Election – Political Activities of Employees
If you are thinking about participating in a political activity during the federal election (and/or a provincial, territorial or municipal election), it is important for you to know your legal rights and responsibilities.
The Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) recognizes your right to engage in a political activity as long as it does not impair, or is not perceived as impairing, your ability to perform your public service duties in a politically impartial manner.
A political activity is defined by the PSEA as:
- Any activity in support of, within, or in opposition to a political party;
- Any activity in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate before or during an election period; or
- Seeking nomination as a candidate or being a candidate in an election before or during the election period.
If you engage in political activities, you are reminded that you must also adhere to the expected behaviours set out in the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and your organization’s code of conduct.
Seeking nomination and being a candidate
If you wish to seek nomination or be a candidate in a federal, provincial, territorial or municipal election, and before undertaking candidacy-related activities, you must first obtain permission from the Public Service Commission (PSC) and, if applicable, a leave of absence without pay (LWOP).
The PSC will grant permission (and LWOP, if applicable) if it is satisfied that being a candidate or seeking nomination as a candidate will not impair, or be perceived as impairing, your ability to perform your public service duties in a politically impartial manner.
For more information and the forms that need to be completed, please consult the PSC’s Candidacy Request Web page. The two-minute Candidacy Process video also explains the process.
Non-candidacy political activities
You do not need permission from the PSC to engage in activities to support or oppose a candidate or political party. However, if you are considering engaging in political activities that are not related to candidacy, the PSC has developed a Guidance Document for Participating in Non-Candidacy Political Activities and a Political Activities Self-Assessment Tool to guide you in making informed decisions.
Improper political activity
Anyone may bring forward to the PSC an allegation of improper political activity conducted by a federal public service employee. If an investigation establishes that the allegation is founded, the PSC can take any corrective action it considers appropriate.
Where to obtain advice
For more information, you may wish to speak with your manager, your organization’s Designated Political Activities Representative or visit the PSC’s Web site where you can refer to the PSC’s Suite of Political Activities Tools. You may also contact the PSC directly at 1-866-707-7152 or via e-mail at CFP.ActivitesPolitiques-PoliticalActivities.PSC@cfp-psc.gc.ca.
Your co-operation in essential in maintaining the political impartiality of the federal public service and maintaining public confidence in its integrity and professionalism.