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Ethics in the Public Service (Cont’d). March 23rd, 2006. Public Service Ethics. importance of the public service ethics regime ethics and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal ethics and the Gomery Recommendations. Ethics and the Context of the Sponsorship Scandal (According to Gomery).
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Ethics in the Public Service(Cont’d) March 23rd, 2006
Public Service Ethics • importance of the public service ethics regime • ethics and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal • ethics and the Gomery Recommendations
Ethics and the Context of the Sponsorship Scandal (According to Gomery) • a breakdown of public service ethical standards • adoption of private sector ethics standards • individual self-interest of public servants • acceptance of political intereference • emphasis on policy rather than management • failure to “speak truth to power” • esp. DM of PWGSC
Public Service Ethics • importance of the public service ethics regime • ethics and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal • ethics and the Gomery Recommendations
The Ethical Framework: Post-Sponsorship, Pre-Gomery • The Tait Report, A Strong Foundation
The Ethical Framework: Post-Sponsorship, Pre-Gomery • Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service, 2003
Gomery Recommendations Re: Ethics • 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 • Recommendation #2: The Government should adopt legislation to entrench into law a Public Service Charter. • short, simple statement of essential values • will... • 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 and their rights and responsibilities in relation to politicians; • provide a firm legal basis for promoting and requiring compliance.
Assessing the Gomery Ethics Recommendations • a comparative assessment • limited effect of code in UK • the broader context – political leadership on values and ethics
Political Leadership and Values and Ethics • 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 • appointed by PM (at pleasure) • Bill C-4 • Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians • March 2004 • created Ethics Commissioner • appointed by Cabinet • serves 5 year term during good behaviour (may be removed for cause)