Acts of Founded Wrongdoing
A serious breach of a code of conduct established under section 5 or 6
The Global Affairs Canada Senior Officer for Internal Disclosure (SOID) received a disclosure of wrongdoing under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act. An investigation determined that a senior executive posted abroad committed wrongdoing pursuant to paragraphs 8 c) and e) of the Act; that being gross mismanagement and a serious breach of a code of conduct.
The investigation found that the senior executive posted abroad, who owned three dogs, circumvented a local law preventing ownership of more than one registered dog per household. Further, the senior executive approached subordinates at the mission who did not own a dog, to ask if they would consider registering the extra dogs in their name. The request was not carried through but undermined the probity of the senior executive.
A delegated manager addressed the situation with the senior executive who expressed contrition for their behaviour. They are now compliant with the local law.