Jennie Carignan

Conflict of interest screens are preventive compliance measures, agreed upon pursuant to section 29 of the Conflict of Interest Act (Act) by public office holders and the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, to assist them in avoiding conflicts of interest. Screens also seek to minimize the possibility of conflicts arising between their public duties and their private interests or those of their relatives and friends.
The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and I have agreed that a conflict of interest screen is an appropriate compliance measure for me, aimed at preventing any opportunity to further the private interests of my children Amélie and Zack Lefrançois, members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), or to give preferential treatment to them, while I exercise my official powers, duties and functions as a reporting public office holder.
Accordingly, I have agreed to recuse myself from any discussion or decision in relation to my children and their conditions of employment. I also agree not to have any communication with CAF and government officials in relation to any matter or decision-making processes affecting my children's interests.
This screen is co-administered by my Chief of Staff as well as the Chief Military Personnel and Commander Military Personnel Command to ensure that I am neither made aware of nor participate in any official matters or decision-making processes involving my children's private interests, unless the interest relates to a decision or matter that is of general application.
Moreover, all powers, duties and functions on matters that form part of this screen will be exercised by the Minister of National Defence or, if required, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
The Associate Minister of National Defence, the Executive Management of the CAF, members of my staff, and necessary public servants have been informed in writing about this conflict of interest screen.
I have undertaken to inform the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner at the earliest opportunity of all changes of which I become aware that relate to or should form part of the above list of matters caught by this screen.
In the event that I am made aware of a matter forming part of this screen or any such matter comes before me, I am required under section 21 of the Act to recuse myself from that matter. I must so inform the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner and, where appropriate, make a public declaration of recusal pursuant to subsection 25(1) of the Act.