The Government of Canada’s Approach to Ethics: The Evolution of Ethical Government

The history of ethical reform in Canada is a good example of the evolution of ethical government. While criminal activity by political appointees and civil servants is rare today, unethical behavior that attracts public attention does sometimes occur. Canada has a political culture and a governmental system that value integrity, but this orientation has not resolved all of the problems inherent in attempting to substitute the public good for individual benefit. The continuing problems, however, are not the result of a failure to take action. The processes through which the government has attempted to raise ethical standards are described here, and the principles guiding these changes are outlined. As well, contemporary efforts to enhance ethics and the challenges to maintaining ethical commitments are analyzed. The inquiry goes beyond the usual concerns associated with conflict of interest and undue influence to stress the importance of ethical policy as part of a total ethics package. Based on a summary of the lessons learned, the authors argue that reforms that result in high ethical standards require a combination of patience and persistence from leaders who understand the importance of ethics and are dedicated to pursuing appropriate change.