Code of Conduct: Your responsibilities

Canada’s democracy depends on public servants staying neutral and serving all Canadians impartially, regardless of which government is in power.

While elected officials are accountable to Parliament and the public, we support this system by upholding fairness, honesty, non-partisanship, and focused commitment to the public interest.

The following behaviours support this value:

• comply with the law
  • both at and outside of work
  • make decisions based on facts, not personal opinions or political loyalty
  • in your work, apply laws, policies, and directives fairly and equally, without bias
• support government leaders
  • follow the legal decisions made by your department’s leadership
  • do your part to provide complete, detailed, accurate, and unbiased information and impartial advice
  • keep your personal beliefs separate from your work so you can stay fair and impartial
  • follow your duty of loyalty to the Government of Canada by refraining from publicly criticizing the Government of Canada, its priorities, programs, policies, or officials
    • this applies to all forms of communication, including but not limited to
      • messages
      • emails
      • social media posts (even when using personal accounts)
      • publications
      • statements
• stay non-political at work
  • don’t let your political views influence your advice or actions
  • if you have concerns, talk to your manager or use the proper reporting channels

• speak and act responsibly, even when you’re not at work

  • avoid behaviour that could harm the reputation of PSPC, the Government of Canada, or the clients you serve
  • protect confidential information
  • respect privacy, discretion, and security requirements
  • follow the Guidance on Personal Use of Social Media

  If you have concerns, talk to your manager or use reporting options in the support section.

• let official spokespersons speak for PSPC
  • only authorized spokespersons can speak for PSPC
  • do not comment publicly on behalf of the department, refer requests to Media Relations
• respect Indigenous rights and leadership
  • support the rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to make decisions for their communities
  • respect their perspectives, governance systems and right to self-determination
  • follow all 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in your work

At PSPC, respect means treating everyone with dignity, fairness, and kindness, no matter their background, role, or identity.

A respectful workplace is safe, accessible, inclusive, and free from harassment, discrimination, microaggressions (subtly demonstrating prejudice), and violence.

People’s needs and experiences vary and aren’t always visible. Stay open, listen actively, and follow guidance that supports inclusion (especially when working with racialized or marginalized colleagues).

We all have a role to play in creating a space where people feel valued, heard, and supported.

The following behaviours, which are grounded in the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canada Labour Code, and the Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations, support this value:

• treat everyone with respect
  • be kind, fair, and professional with colleagues, clients, and the public
  • avoid language or actions that belittle, embarrass, or intimidate others
  • use your authority with empathy and fairness
  • speak and act in ways that support a safe, inclusive workplace
  • commit to ongoing learning about respect and reflect it in your daily interactions treat others the way they want to be treated, within reason
  • never assume how someone wants to be treated
• stand against discrimination and racism
  • actively oppose all forms of discrimination, ableism (prejudice and discrimination against persons with disabilities) and racism, including anti-Black, anti-Indigenous racism, gender-based violence and hate
  • treat no one unfairly because of their age, race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other ground under the Canadian Human Rights Act
  • understand that someone may belong to a marginalized group, even it if it’s not visible
  • do not file complaints or grievances to target or destabilize racialized or marginalized colleagues
  • if you witness or experience discrimination, speak up or report it
  • support a workplace where everyone can be themselves without feeling pressured to hide who they are
• create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace
  • help maintain a respectful, psychologically safe environment
  • never engage in, and always report, harassment, violence (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only) or discrimination
  • if you’re a manager, act quickly to address issues, even if no formal complaint is made
  • for more information
    • Prevention of harassment and violence in the workplace (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only)
    • PSPC’s Interim Standard on Harassment and Violence Prevention in the Workplace (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only)
    • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's (TBS) Directive on the Prevention and Resolution of Workplace Harassment and Violence
• respect Indigenous rights and perspectives
  • support the rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to govern their communities
  • follow the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
  • respect the unique values, socio-cultural traditions, history and needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
  • interact respectfully and harmoniously with individuals from all backgrounds by embracing different perspectives and practices, and building your understanding of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures
  • actively learn from First Nations, Inuit and Métis voices, listen to their experiences, acknowledge historical evidence and make room for their perspectives in your work
  • recognize the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis employees
  • regularly monitor progress, address challenges and make necessary changes openly and responsibly, as outlined in the Many Voices One Mind: A Pathway to Reconciliation report
• support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
  • value the diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences of your colleagues
  • if you’re a manager, make sure all staffing processes are fair, inclusive and free of bias
    • choose candidates based on their skills and experience, and not based on their personal characteristics or any personal or political views
    • give people equal access to opportunities and build teams that reflect the diversity of the population we serve
  • accommodate people with visible and invisible disabilities and follow the Accessible Canada Act
  • support mental and physical well-being for all
• communicate openly and respectfully
  • listen to others, even when you disagree
  • be honest, tactful, and constructive
  • build strong working relationships through collaboration and trust

Integrity means doing what is right, even when no one is watching. It involves being honest, fair, and trustworthy in all your actions, while consistently placing the public interest above personal gain.

The following behaviours support this value:

• act with integrity at all times
  • follow the letter and the spirit of the law, PSPC policies and rules, along with the values behind them
  • make decisions that can stand up to public scrutiny
  • if you’re unsure about something, ask your manager or refer to the support section to find a subject matter expert
• keep your personal life separate from your work
  • what you do outside of work is private, but off-duty behaviour may become a workplace issue if it
    • harms PSPC’s or the Government of Canada’s reputation
    • affects your ability to do your job well
    • makes it hard for others to work with you
    • violates the Criminal Code
    • makes it difficult for PSPC to manage its operations or workforce
    • follow the Guidance on Personal Use of Social Media
  • think before you act
    • before acting in public, posting or endorsing anything online (even from your personal account), evaluate if your actions could harm your credibility or the impartiality of the public service
    • avoid any activity that could damage the reputation and public trust in PSPC or the Government of Canada
• never use your position for personal gain
  • don’t use your title, accesses, or information to benefit yourself, your relatives, friends or associates
  • don’t give or receive special treatment
  • avoid situations where relatives, friends or associates report directly or indirectly to you
  • if you’re involved in staffing, don’t help your relatives, friends or associates apply for or get a job
    • if you have a personal relationship with someone in a staffing process, you must tell the following people
      • other assessment board members
      • the sub-delegated manager
      • the HR advisor
    • recuse yourself from the process and avoid taking part in assessing that person
  • don’t use your government ID or title to get personal discounts or services unless they’re publicly available
• prevent and report conflicts of interest
  • learn how to identify and manage conflicts of interest
  • every fiscal year, you must submit a Conflict of Interest Declaration (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) and follow any guidance you receive
    • if needed, you may have to change or stop the activity
• understand and address conflict of duties
  • conflict of duties happens when your official responsibilities compete with another internal or external role
  • if you’re asked to take on a role (like joining a board), work with your manager and subject matter experts to assess and manage any risks, and document everything in writing
• maintain trust
  • avoid conduct, at or outside of work, that could harm your, PSPC’s, or the Government of Canada’s reputation, job performance, or client service
  • time theft is misconduct; you are paid with public funds - use your work hours for job responsibilities
  • don’t misuse government resources or work time for personal activities
    • use PSPC equipment and the network securely and according to departmental guidelines: Using equipment and network for personal use (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only)
  • report misconduct or information related to a change in personal circumstances that may affect your security status or clearance (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only), for example a change in criminal record status, involvement with law enforcement or legal issues, or misconduct, you must report it to your supervisor or refer to Public Services and Procurement Canada’s senior officer responsible for internal disclosure (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only)

As public servants, we are entrusted with the responsible use of public funds, tools, and information. Stewardship means safeguarding these resources for current, and future generations, and using them wisely to serve the best interests of Canadians.

The following behaviours support this value:

• spend public funds wisely
  • public funds come from Canadians - use funds with care and in ways that serve the public interest
  • if you manage public funds, follow the rules in the Financial Administration Act
  • ensure procurement activities comply with both
    • Policy on the Planning and Management of Investments
    • Directive on the Management of Procurement
  • only approve expenses within your delegated authority
    • keep clear records of your decisions and spending
    • breaches of trust or fraud by a public officer are governed by section 122 of the Criminal Code and are not tolerated
• limit the use of government property
  • use government property only for official work, unless your limited personal use has been authorized (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only)
  • don’t use government resources for personal business, activities or side jobs
  • return all government property when you leave your role or go on extended leave
  • report any lost, stolen, or damaged items right away
• use digital tools responsibly
  • use PSPC networks, devices, and software for work or approved personal use only
  • don’t access PSPC systems or take devices abroad without approval
    • refer to travelling on business abroad (accessible to Public Services and Procurement Canada employees only) to request a travel security briefing
  • protect the network from viruses, data leaks, and other threats
  • everything you do on PSPC systems may be monitored and recorded
  • understand the following policies and how they apply
    • Policy on Service and Digital
    • Directive on Service and Digital
    • Guideline on Acceptable Network and Device Use
    • Security guidelines for teleworking and remote working
• respect intellectual property
  • under the Copyright Act and the Public Servants Inventions Act, anything you create at work, like documents, software, or tools, belongs to the Government of Canada
  • don’t sell or reuse anything you create for personal gain, even after you leave PSPC
• always obtain permission from the copyright holder before using any copyrighted materials, including graphics, photos or external references think long term
  • consider how your decisions affect people and the environment now and in the future
  • support Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals and follow the Federal Sustainable Development Act
  • support the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 17 Sustainable Development Goals by making choices at work that protect people, communities, and the planet
  • respect the deep connection First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have with the land as the original stewards by including Indigenous perspectives, and consider the land, its species, and ecosystems in decision-making processes
• information management, confidentiality and privacy
  • whether you're working on-site or remotely, always protect and manage information carefully
  • don’t talk about sensitive work matters in public places
  • stay alert to risks and follow security and privacy rules at all times
  • always keep your records organized, accurate, and easy to find
    • information related to the policies, programs or services you provide or develop supports productivity, as well as good decision-making and client service
  • know and follow
    • the Policy on the Access to Information and Privacy Program,
    • the Access to Information Act
    • the Privacy Act
    • the Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) principles when handling First Nations data
  • follow your oath or affirmation form PWGSC-TPSGC-518 (accessible only on the Government of Canada network), protect confidential information and only share it as permitted under the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act
  • only access information that you need for your job and for which you have the appropriate security clearance
  • only share sensitive information or protected information with people who have the appropriate security clearance and a legitimate need to know
• never use government information for personal gain
  • never destroy or hide records to block access - this is illegal

Excellence means giving your best effort every day, in every task. It involves delivering high-quality services, continuously improving our work, and supporting each other as a team. Excellence is about designing and implementing government policies, programs, and services that positively impact the lives of Canadians. By striving for excellence, we not only serve Canadians but also strengthen trust in the public service.

The following behaviours support this value:

• provide fair, timely, and effective bilingual service
  • provide fair, timely and efficient services
  • follow the Official Languages Act and provide services in both English and French as required for your positions
    • PSPC’s Policy on Official Languages and Linguistic Duality summarizes these obligations and provides guidance
  • implement Section 41 of Part VII of the Official Languages Act in your work
    • enhance the development and vitality of official language minority communities (OLMCs)
  • foster the full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society and fulfil your linguistic obligations (including for unilingual offices) under the Directive on Official Languages for Communications and Services
• continually improve
  • look for ways to improve policies, programs, and services
  • make decisions based on facts, fairness, and the public interest
  • focus on value for Canadians and enhancing client satisfaction
• support teamwork, learning, and innovation
  • respect and value different perspectives, backgrounds, and abilities
  • help new team members feel welcome and supported
  • share ideas, give feedback, and learn from each other
  • encourage creativity and continuous learning
• maintain a professional appearance
  • dress in a way that reflects professionalism and respect for others
  • avoid clothing with profanity, offensive images, or political messages
  • express yourself while keeping the workplace inclusive and respectful

We all have a role to play in demonstrating leadership, through responsible actions, empathy, compassion and respect for our colleagues and peers, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

If you’re in a position of influence, such as an executive, manager, supervisor, team lead or subject matter expert, you must lead by example. This means upholding the highest standards of conduct, making fair and inclusive decisions, and demonstrating the key leadership competencies that reflect public sector and PSPC values, ethical behaviours, and accountability.

The following behaviours support this value:

• lead by example
  • apply PSPC and public sector values in your daily work
  • consider how your actions affect others, including colleagues, clients, and the public
  • make decisions that are fair, ethical, and transparent
• uphold high standards in a leadership role
  • model integrity, inclusion, and professionalism
  • help build trust within the organization
  • ensure your team understands the Code and the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and knows how to apply them
  • provide guidance on values, ethics, and conflict of interest
  • encourage open conversations and respond to concerns appropriately
• create a healthy workplace
  • promote a culture of respect, safety, and psychological well-being
  • act quickly to address harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behaviour
  • support a space where employees feel safe to speak up and raise concerns

Reconciliation is a collective responsibility. It involves acknowledging the rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, honoring their leadership, and collaborating in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect. We must commit to advancing reconciliation by integrating Indigenous perspectives into our work and dedicating ourselves to ongoing learning and meaningful action.

The following behaviours support this value:

• honour Indigenous rights and leadership
  • support the right of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to govern their communities
  • respect Indigenous governance systems and self-determination
  • follow the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• build respectful partnership
  • work in collaboration with Indigenous communities
  • include Indigenous voices and knowledge in your planning and decision-making
  • foster relationships based on trust, equity, and shared goals
• commit to learning and cultural competency
  • learn about Indigenous rights and lived experiences
  • understand section 35 of the Constitution Act and all 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and how it applies to your work
  • build your awareness of Indigenous cultural protocols and perspectives