Protecting Professional Integrity in Public Service
Scientific Integrity Policy (SIP) stands as one of PIPSC’s greatest achievements. During 2018-2019, I collaborated closely with colleagues from the Science & Engineering Directorate and other CBSA Directorates to ensure that all Union-recommended clauses were incorporated into the CBSA-approved version of the Policy.
I am deeply familiar with the SIP and believe that all Public Service professionals should be able to depend on the crucial clause highlighted below
6. Scientific integrity principles
6.2. Ensure that the conduct of DDAA research and science and any research or scientific products, as well as any associated communications, are free from political, commercial, client and stakeholder interference.
Interference: any action that alters or suppresses the work or the impartiality of a scientist or researcher, as understood within the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, including the expectation that they provide decision makers with all the information, analysis and advice they need, while striving to be open, candid and impartial. Interference also includes alteration or inappropriate suppression of research methodology and results or dissuasion of reporting of results by any party, including clients.
Currently, this clause only applies to RE and SP members, for whom the SIP was developed. Moreover, it only offers a post-event recourse mechanism, allowing RE and SP members to address breaches of scientific integrity by the employer through the standard grievance process—a process that can take years to resolve and may come too late for those affected by such violations.
I will work to create a similar clause that protects the professional integrity of all PIPSC members. Additionally, I will develop alternative mechanisms to support and defend our most vulnerable members, especially those who provide critical advice on health-related policies and products, ensuring they can always offer fearless professional advice. If they are unable to do so due to political interference or fear of reprisal, I will ensure the Union brings this to the attention of all Canadians.
Furthermore, I am convinced that political interference in the work of professionals who evaluate health products and policies for Canadians is entirely unacceptable. Yet, according to the Public Service Employee Survey, this is a reality they face.
To address this, I will advocate for the inclusion of a new "Immunity Against Political Interference" clause in the collective agreements of all professionals involved in the regulation of health and environment-related products and services. This will ensure that Canadians can trust that all government policies are developed based on fearless, independent professional advice, free from political and vendor influence, rather than being driven by political agendas.
See also:
What can you do if you become a witness of Professional Integrity breach?
In the meanwhile, If you believe that there is something happening within the Government that jeopardize public health and safety, you can make a disclosure to the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada. You can also contact the Office of Chief Science Advisor and Office of Auditor General.
However, please note that because the employees in these offices also adhere to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, which dictates Duty of Loyalty to their Employer, and they are already overwhelmed with an "unprecedented number of disclosures of wrongdoing, reprisal complaints, and general inquiries," they may not be able to provide the response you are seeking or may not be able to do so quickly enough to protect the lives and health of Canadians affected by the wrongdoing you are concerned about. This is why proactive measures from the Union are required to address this problem.