Ethics in the Public Service Contd March 23

Ethics in the Public Service (Cont’d) March 23 rd, 2006

Public Service Ethics l importance of the public service ethics regime l ethics and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal l ethics and the Gomery Recommendations

Ethics and the Context of the Sponsorship Scandal (According to Gomery) l a breakdown of public service ethical standards – adoption of private sector ethics standards – individual self-interest of public servants acceptance of political intereference l emphasis on policy rather than management l failure to “speak truth to power” l – esp. DM of PWGSC

Public Service Ethics l importance of the public service ethics regime l ethics and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal l ethics and the Gomery Recommendations

The Ethical Framework: Post. Sponsorship, Pre-Gomery l The Tait Report, A Strong Foundation

The Ethical Framework: Post. Sponsorship, Pre-Gomery l Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service, 2003

Gomery Recommendations Re: Ethics l Values and Ethics Code lengthy public servants cannot easily relate to it cannot be fully comprehended does not define terms adequately (e. g. impartiality, loyalty, integrity) – does not provide guidance on how to determine the public interest in a specific situation – does not provide guidance on how to reconcile conflicting values – –

Gomery Recommendations Re: Ethics l Recommendation #2: The Government should adopt legislation to entrench into law a Public Service Charter. short, simple statement of essential values l will. . . l – signal and symbolize strong political support for the Charter; – promote greater public, parliamentary and media discussion of, familiarity with and respect for Charter; – inform the public about the values for which public servants stand their rights and responsibilities in relation to politicians; – provide a firm legal basis for promoting and requiring compliance.

Assessing the Gomery Ethics Recommendations l a comparative assessment – limited effect of code in UK l the broader context – political leadership on values and ethics

Political Leadership and Values and Ethics l Conflict of Interest Code for Public Office Holders – – 1994 -2004 applies to ministers but not to parliamentarians not enshrined in law administered by the Office of the Ethics Counsellor l l appointed by PM (at pleasure) Bill C-4 – Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians l March 2004 – created Ethics Commissioner l appointed by Cabinet l serves 5 year term during good behaviour (may be removed for cause)