Code of Conduct – July 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE OF THE CODE OUR CORE VALUES Value #1 – EXCELLENCE Value #2 – RESPECT Value #3 – INTEGRITY APPLICATION OF THE CODE: A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY USING THE CODE OF CONDUCT MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY Every day I see how we all try to do our best in preserving CICS’s excellent reputation. Our culture, commitment and conduct as an organization are founded on the values we all share together, and how these are expressed in our day-to-day behaviour. It is important for us all to know how we can continually strengthen our collective commitment to each other and to our mandate. The first step is being explicit about what our values are. The second step is to understand how to best apply them through our behaviour in the workplace. Finally, we need to support each other in sustaining our commitment to our shared values, and resolving ethical issues. CICS has developed this Code of Conduct (Hereinafter called our Code) to promote ethical and professional behaviour. This Code is designed to help management and employees uphold our core values within a positive work environment. Use it to guide your judgment and help you better understand the expected behaviours and ethical situations you may need to resolve in your work. Please review this document carefully to ensure that you understand it fully. You play an important role in representing our organization and in advancing our reputation. Let us continue to demonstrate the character and personal integrity that will allow us to maintain our tradition of excellence. André M. McArdle, Secretary BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE OF THE CODE In general, an organizational Code of Conduct serves to embody values and ethics, which are well-founded standards of right and wrong in the workplace. It acts as a guide in terms of desired behaviors. Also, possible situations where ethics can be compromised are identified to prevent wrongdoing. As an agency operating under federal statute, CICS falls under the requirements of the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA), which requires public sector organizations to establish codes of conduct consistent with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector (VECPS) The VECPS sets forth the general values and ethics of public service to guide and support public servants in all their professional activities. The following values are specifically promoted: Respect for democracy Respect for people Integrity Stewardship Excellence The VECPS also specifies Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Measures that include the requirement to disclose “real, apparent or potential” conflict of interest. CICS has developed this Code of Conduct by following the intent and spirit of the VECPS, making it relevant to our mandate and keeping it in line with good management practices. Its intent is to revitalize our standards, reinforce our commitment to our values and formalize them in current practices so they are more than just general compliance objectives. This Code identifies and translates the values of CICS into a standard for professional conduct and ethical obligations. […]
by Mario Giasson
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