Political activities and non-partisanship

Dear colleagues,

With several elections taking place across Canada, including upcoming municipal elections, some employees may be considering participating in political activities or seeking candidacy.

If you are considering seeking nomination or becoming a candidate in a federal, provincial, territorial or municipal election, you must first obtain permission from the Public Service Commission (PSC). This requirement applies to all employees, including term and indeterminate employees, students, and employees on leave. As the PSC may take up to 30 days to decide, employees are encouraged to submit their request as early as possible.

The PSC will also be hosting information sessions on political activities and non-partisanship for federal public servants. Sessions will cover:

• Candidacy activities – for employees considering seeking nomination or becoming a candidate;
• Non-candidacy activities – for employees considering supporting or opposing a political party or candidate; and
• Managers – for managers supporting employees involved in political activities.

These sessions will provide information on your rights and responsibilities, how to identify risks to political impartiality, and how to make informed decisions before participating in political activities.

The upcoming sessions will be held in September and December 2026, and February, June and September 2027. To participate, please register through the Registration Portal. You can also consult the Public Service Commission Election Calendar for information on upcoming elections and candidacy requirements.

Parks Canada’s Values and Ethics Code, sets expectations on all Parks Canada team members to demonstrate loyalty to our employer - the Government of Canada and Parks Canada - and uphold objectivity and impartiality in carrying out its responsibilities. Together, let’s honour our commitment to a professional, non-partisan and impartial public service.

Thank you,

Rawan El-Komos

Vice-President, Human Resources and Employee Wellness Directorate

Patrick Laplante

Champion Values and Ethics

Andrew Campbell

Interim President & Chief Executive Officer