How to submit a request for investigation
Who can submit a request
Anyone can submit a request for investigation regarding irregularities in an appointment process or an allegation of improper political activities. For example, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has received requests from members of the public, federal public servants, human resources specialists, deputy heads, bargaining agents and anonymous sources. The PSC can also initiate investigations.
When to submit a request to the Public Service Commission
The Public Service Commission investigates internal and external appointment processes where:
- fraud may have occurred
- an appointment or proposed appointment may not have been free from political influence
It also investigates external appointment processes where:
- an appointment or proposed appointment may not have been based on merit
- there may have been an error, omission or improper conduct that affected the selection of the person appointed or proposed for appointment
It also investigates allegations of improper political activities by public servants.
If you believe that an error, an omission or improper conduct occurred in an internal appointment process, you may file a complaint to the deputy head of the organization concerned and request an investigation under subsection 15(3) of the Public Service Employment Act. The Public Service Commission can only investigate these allegations in internal processes upon request from the deputy head.
Exception
Only someone who is or has been a candidate in an election can submit an allegation under subsection 119(1) of the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) regarding improper political activity of a deputy head.
Submitting a request for investigation
Select, fill out and submit the online request form that corresponds to your situation:
You may submit your form online, or send it by:
Email: CFP.Enquetes-Investigations.PSC@cfp-psc.gc.ca
Fax: 819-420-8801
Mail:
Public Service Commission of Canada
Oversight and Investigations Sector / Investigations Directorate / Jurisdiction Division
22 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M7
To learn more about the investigation process, view our interactive flow chart.
What happens after you’ve submitted a request
The Public Service Commission will analyze your request to ensure the matter falls within our jurisdiction and, if so, will determine whether there are sufficient grounds for an investigation. A jurisdiction officer may contact you for more information. Generally, once the review is complete, you’ll receive a letter outlining the decision to investigate or close the file. If the issue involves another individual’s personal information, the decision whether to investigate may not be shared with you.
We strive to inform you of our decision to investigate or close the file within 40 calendar days. Response time can be affected by the complexity of the case, delays in receiving additional information, and the volume of requests received at any given time.
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