• What are the changes?

 

• What is the ethical framework under the PSOA?

 

• How do I find out who my "ethics executive" is?

 

• What are the new regulations under the Act?Where can I find them?

 

 

TOP

Q: What are the changes?

A: Some of the key changes are:

 

• New ethical framework (conflict of interest, political activity rights & restrictions, and new disclosure of wrongdoing provisions)



• common principles across the public service including ministries, ministers’ staff and public bodies, and consistent application of rules
• supports the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability
• every public servant has an ethics executive who provides direction and oversees implementation of the ethical framework



• Terminology is simplified and is more descriptive –



• for example, the term “public servant” includes all ministry employees, employees and appointees of public bodies (agencies, boards and commissions), and ministers’ staff


• A clear accountability framework created for the employment and ethical conduct of ministers’ staff - note that the ethical conduct of ministers' staff is overseen by the Integrity Commissioner rather than the Conflict of Interest Commissioner

 

 

TOP

Q: What is the ethical framework under the PSOA?

A: The ethical framework addresses:

 

• oaths of office and allegiance
• disclosure of wrongdoing
• conflict of interest
• political activity

 

The legislation identifies ethics executives for every public servant.

 

 

TOP

Q: How do I find out who my "ethics executive" is?

A: Ethics executives provide advice and direction to public servants on conflict of interest and political activity, and are responsible for dealing with disclosures of wrongdoing.

 

Every public servant has an ethics executive:

 

Ministries:

• Current employees -> Deputy minister
• Former employees -> Public Service Commission
• Current Deputy ministers -> Secretary of the Cabinet
• Former Deputy ministers & former Secretary of the Cabinet -> Conflict of Interest Commissioner
• Secretary of Cabinet -> Conflict of Interest Commissioner

 

Public bodies:

• Current appointees -> Chair of the public body
• Current employees -> Chair (or alternate if prescribed in regulation)
• Former public body employees and appointees -> Conflict of Interest Commissioner
• Chairs of public bodies (current & former) -> Conflict of Interest Commissioner

 

Ministers’ staff (current and former) -> Integrity Commissioner

 

Conflict of Interest Commissioner -> Integrity Commissioner

 

 

TOP

Q: What are the new regulations under the Act?Where can I find them?

A: Regulations can be found on www.e-laws.gov.on.ca under the Public Service of Ontario Act