Acts of Founded Wrongdoing
A misuse of public funds or a public asset;
A gross mismanagement in the public sector;
A serious breach of a code of conduct established under section 5 or 6
The Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Senior Officer for Internal Disclosure (SOID) launched an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, sections 8(a) (contravention of any Act of Parliament, specifically the Financial Administration Act), 8(b) (misuse of public funds), 8(c) (gross mismanagement in the public sector), and 8(e) (serious breach of a code of conduct).
The investigation found wrongdoing by a member of the CBSA’s executive cadre.
It was found that the executive failed to exercise due diligence and oversight in relation to task authorizations, in contravention of the Financial Administration Act and the CBSA’s Code of Conduct, including by: knowingly directing the procurement of the services of a specific consultant resource; directing the work of this consultant beyond the scope of task authorizations, and approving payment for this work; directing the work of this consultant in the absence of a task authorization, and approving payment for this work. In doing so, the executive misused public funds and knowingly misled management on the nature, volume and duration of the work conducted by this consultant.
Additionally, it was found that, pursuant to the Treasury Board Directive on Conflict of Interest, and in breach of the CBSA’s Code of Conduct, the executive was in a conflict of interest situation in relation to the above-noted consultant, as well as with a firm providing coaching services.
It was also found that the executive created a stressful, toxic, and unsupportive work environment by isolating, harassing, undermining, and belittling employees, in breach of the CBSA’s Code of Conduct.
It was found that the cumulative effect of the actions noted above, constitute gross mismanagement in the public sector.
The SOID recommended that the CBSA implement corrective measures and disciplinary actions as guided by the quantum of discipline. The SOID also recommended that the Agency take steps to restore workplace relations in the work area impacted by the executive’s harassing behaviours.
The President of the CBSA accepted the recommendations of the SOID. The executive was terminated and actions are being taken to implement appropriate measures to restore workplace relations for employees impacted by the executive’s behaviours.