2000 October Report of the Auditor General of Canada

Appendix A—Possible Elements of an Ethical Framework Proposed in Our May 1995 Report

A statement of principles to ensure common understanding that public service is a public trust.

Leadership of the Prime Minister, ministers, the Clerk of the Privy Council and deputy ministers to maintain ethical standards.

Public servants who are empowered to carry out their duties in the public interest and resist pressure to do otherwise.

Transparent decision making to allow people to judge whether public office holders are acting in the public interest.

Ethics-related training to develop knowledge and skills to maintain and enhance ethics.

A mechanism for discussing and reporting ethical concerns so that public servants can voice concerns without fear of reprisal.

A continuous process that makes ethics a conscious and visible part of day-to-day decision making.