Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is responsible for promoting and safeguarding a critical part of the public sector’s core values and ethics. The Commissioner is an independent Officer of Parliament who, is responsible for helping appointed and elected officials prevent and avoid conflicts between their public duties and private interests.

With the support of the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, the Commissioner administers the Conflict of Interest Act for public office holders and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons to:

• Determine the measures necessary to avoid conflicts of interest between the public duties and private interests of elected and appointed officials;


• Provide confidential policy advice and support to public office holders to comply with conflict of interest requirements, including Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister; and


• Report to Parliament on performance under the Act and Code.

• A former judge of a superior court in Canada or of any other court whose members are appointed under an Act of the legislature of a province;


• A former member of a federal or provincial board, commission or tribunal who, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, has demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:
  
  
  
  • conflicts of interest,
  
  
  • financial arrangements,
  
  
  • professional regulation and discipline,
  
  
  • ethics, or
  
  
  
  
• A former Senate Ethics Officer or former Ethics Commissioner.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language.

Education and Experience

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as law, ethics or public administration, or a combination of equivalent education, training and/or experience;


• Significant experience in an oversight function with decision-making authority having an impact or influence over other organizations;


• Comprehensive experience in managing investigation activities;


• Experience in representing an organization, communicating and consulting at a senior level with a broad range of private sector and public sector stakeholders, policy and decision makers, as well as the media;


• Significant management experience at the senior executive level, in a private or public sector organization would be considered an asset; and


• Experience in providing confidential advice to individual public office holders, with respect to the application of conflict of interest legislation to individuals and to their legislative obligations would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy frameworks:

• Federal Conflict of Interest Act and provincial conflict of interest legislation;


• Policy frameworks governing ethics and transparency in government, including the federal Lobbying Act, the Privacy Act, the Access to Information Act, the various values and ethics codes for federal public office holders;


• The mandate, role and responsibilities of organizations responsible for administering legislative frameworks that prevent conflicts between the public duties and private interests of elected and appointed officials;


• Legal principles, procedures and practices involved in the conduct of investigations; particularly as they relate to evidence, legal interpretation and natural justice.

• the Westminster system of parliamentary government, including the work of parliamentary committees;


• the role of an agent of Parliament and its relationship with Parliament and the Government;


• practices, principles and policies underlying interactions between federal government institutions and the private sector, including government consultation methods, government contracting rules and private sector lobbying techniques.

• ability to lead and manage a public sector organization and to define its strategies and objectives;


• ability to analyze differing opinions and complex situations with a view to taking sound decisions that are reasonable and fair.

• effective communication, both oral and in writing;


• proficiency in both official languages, as set out in the Language Skills Act (statutory).

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages.

• Strong ethical standards


• Sound judgment


• Impartiality


• Tact


• Good interpersonal skills

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.


• The Language Skills Act requires that any person appointed as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner must, at the time of his or her appointment, be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages.


• The Parliament of Canada Act requires that the Commissioner must be one of the following:




• a former judge of a superior court in Canada or of any other court whose members are appointed under an Act of the legislature of a province;


• a former member of a federal or provincial board, commission or tribunal who, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, has demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following:




• conflicts of interest,


• financial arrangements,


• professional regulation and discipline, or


• ethics, or




• a former Senate Ethics Officer or former Ethics Commissioner.




• The Parliament of Canada Act requires that the Commissioner shall engage exclusively in the duties and functions of the Commissioner and may not hold any office under Her Majesty or engage in any other employment for reward.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally.

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications (more information available here) will begin on May 23, 2023. Candidates should apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.