To safeguard public confidence in the integrity of Parliament and government institutions.
To help elected and appointed public officials avoid conflicts of interest.
Administer the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons and the Conflict of Interest Act so as to manage conflicts of interest.
The Commissioner’s Office has identified four priorities in its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan to advance its vision, mission and mandate:
- Avoiding conflicts of interest
Improve processes and resources to help public officials manage conflicts of interests efficiently, while supporting transparency and accountability. - User-friendly experience
Ensure every interaction with public officials is positive, seamless and user-focused, building trust and satisfaction. - Healthy and fulfilling workplace
Foster a healthy, inclusive work environment where employees always act with integrity. Support diversity, professional development, and hybrid work. - Tools, knowledge and skills
Give employees modern tools and training so they have the knowledge and skills to effectively carry out the mandate of the Commissioner’s Office.
The Commissioner is an independent Officer of the House of Commons who administers two sets of rules. They aim to prevent conflicts between the public duties of appointed and elected officials, and private interests.
- Conflict of Interest Act
A law that applies to ministers, parliamentary secretaries, ministerial staff, deputy ministers, associate deputy ministers, people appointed to their positions by the Governor in Council (the Governor General acting on the advice of the Cabinet), and some senior public servants. About 3,000 people are subject to the Act. The Commissioner’s Office posts information about their compliance in a searchable public registry.
- Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons
A code of conduct that applies to all 343 elected Members of the House of Commons. Members who are ministers or parliamentary secretaries must also follow the Conflict of Interest Act. The Commissioner’s Office posts information about their compliance in a searchable public registry.
The position of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner was created under the 2006 Federal Accountability Act. The Commissioner’s mandate is set out in the Parliament of Canada Act.
The first Commissioner was appointed in 2007. That’s when the Commissioner’s Office started operating in its current form. But its history goes back much further.