Conflict Of Interest Rules For Federal Legislators

Conflict of interest is one aspect of public sector ethics. Over the past 20 years, Canadian legislatures and governments have developed legislation and codes of conduct that show a wide variety of approaches to the issue. This paper focuses on the most important developments at the federal level. The emphasis is on federal legislators but other federal public officials, such as public servants, judges, and members of administrative agencies, tribunals and Crown corporations are also affected by conflict of interest rules.

Conflict of interest is one aspect of public sector ethics. Over the past 20 years, Canadian legislatures and governments have developed legislation and codes of conduct that show a wide variety of approaches to the issue. This paper focuses on the most important developments at the federal level. The emphasis is on federal legislators but other federal public officials, such as public servants, judges, and members of administrative agencies, tribunals and Crown corporations are also affected by conflict of interest rules.

This report gives a background and analysis of the growing controversy among Parliamentarians and the number of specific situations where use of political position has been addressed before the courts. It discusses techniques of control, types of interests considered necessary to declare, and present rules. Parliamentary action discussed includes the 1973 Green Paper on Conflict of Interest, the 1975 House Committee Report on the Green Paper, the Senate Report on the Green Paper, Bill C-6, the 1984 Report on the Task Force on Conflict of Interest, the 1985 Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders, and an establishment of a register of members' interests. Also documents a chronology of related parliamentary action.

Committee Serial No. 17. [pt.1]: Considers the following related bills. H.R. 1900 and identical H.R. 2156, to strengthen the criminal laws relating to bribery, graft, and conflict of interest in the Federal Government. H.R. 2157, the Government Ethics Act of 1959, to provide for administrative penalties, such as suspension or discharge, for Federal employees who engage in unethical conduct. H.R. 7556, to prohibit a company doing business with the Federal Government from hiring any Federal employee with which that company dealt within two years following the termination of his Federal employment. H.R. 10575, to consolidate the existing conflict of interest laws into one unified Act, with a common set of definitions and criminal penalties. pt. 2: Includes Justice Dept Office of Legal Counsel memorandum "Conflict of Interest Statutes," Dec. 10, 1958 (p. 619-755).