4 Result(s)
Message from the Commissioner
I am proud to introduce the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's second accessibility plan. Recognizing that accessibility for all is a critical element of inclusion, the Office is taking action to eliminate barriers in its operations and service delivery in accordance with the Accessible Canada Act. This updated Accessibility Plan builds on the 2024 Progress Report and incorporates best practices from the 2023–2025 Accessibility plan. It outlines commitments to remove barriers across all priority areas under the Accessible Canada Act and introduces new elements such as culture, SMART objectives, and enhanced consultation processes.
This law aims for the full and equal participation of all persons, especially persons with disabilities, in Canada. It recognizes that people are not disabled by their conditions, but instead by environments that are neither accessible, welcoming nor enabling.
The Office's three-year plan maps out how we will improve accessibility in the seven key areas identified in the Accessibility Canada Act: employment; the built environment; information and communication technologies; communication; the procurement of goods, services and facilities; the design and delivery of programs and services; and transportation. It reflects the Office's commitment to create an accessible work environment and a diverse and inclusive workforce, as established in our Code of Values.
As part of the Office's work towards identifying, preventing and eliminating accessibility barriers for our employees and stakeholders, we have held consultations to develop this plan. We welcome feedback at any time about accessibility at the Office to help us continue to identify, prevent and eliminate barriers and ensure use of best practices.
The Office is committed to continuing its practice of publishing annual progress reports on accessibility and will publish a full Accessibility Report every third year, as required by the Accessible Canada Act.
1. General
1.1. Overview
The Accessible Canada Act (ACA), which came into force in July 2019, aims to identify, remove, and prevent barriers to accessibility and make Canada barrier-free by January 1, 2040.
In accordance with this law, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (Office) published its first accessibility plan in December 2022, and must update the plan every three years, showing how it identifies, removes, and prevents barriers. Each version must remain online for seven years after publication, and persons with disabilities must be consulted in its preparation. The plan must also describe the consultation process and be available in alternate formats upon request.
This is the Office's second accessibility plan, building on the foundation established in the first plan and informed by lessons learned and feedback received. It reflects our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and to embedding accessibility into all aspects of our operations.
The plan addresses the seven priority areas described in section 5 of the ACA:
EmploymentBuilt EnvironmentInformation and Communication Technologies (ICT)Communication (other than ICT)Procurement of Goods, Services, and FacilitiesDesign and Delivery of Programs and ServicesTransportation
In developing this plan, the Office embraced the guiding principle of “Nothing without us", ensuring that persons with disabilities are actively engaged in identifying, preventing, and removing barriers.The plan also adheres to the principles set out in section 6 of the ACA:
Everyone must be treated with dignity.Everyone must have the same opportunity to make for themselves the life they are able and wish to have.Everyone must be able to participate fully and equally in society.Everyone must have meaningful options and be free to make their own choices, with support if they desire.Laws, policies, programs, services, and structures must take into account the ways that different kinds of barriers and discrimination intersect.Persons with disabilities must be involved in the development and design of laws, policies, programs, services, and structures.Accessibility standards and regulations must aim to achieve the highest level of accessibility.
1.2. Statement of Commitment
The Office remains committed to meeting all its obligations under the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations (the Accessible Canada Regulations). By establishing a working group on accessibility and by continuing to consult persons with disabilities, the Office is committed to the proactive identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility at the workplace and in all aspects of its communications and activities. Accessibility neither begins nor ends with this plan; it is an ongoing process. We strive to continuously improve accessibility in everything we do.
We are committed to creating a barrier-free environment for employees, stakeholders, and the public.
1.3. Contact Information and Feedback Process
The Office welcomes feedback, including feedback submitted anonymously, about accessibility at the Office and about this plan. We are committed to reviewing the feedback we receive in good faith and to taking steps to address, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility that are identified through this feedback.
Feedback about either accessibility at the Office or this plan may be submitted in the following ways:
By contacting the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, using the information below:
Manager, Human Resources Client ServicesOffice of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics CommissionerParliament of CanadaOttawa, Ontario K1A 0A6AccessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca613-995-0721
By completing the online accessibility feedback survey. Alternate formats of the survey can be requested by contacting accessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca or 613-995-0721.
The Office must keep the most recent version of the description of its feedback process for seven years after it is published or until a new description is published.
The Office will acknowledge the feedback it received in the same way that it was sent to it, unless it was sent by an anonymous source. The Office will review all feedback received and take steps to address barriers to accessibility that are identified. A copy of any feedback received must be kept for seven years. We have been monitoring the Accessibility email inbox and there have been no accessibility matters that relate to accessibility at the Office.
Alternative formats of this plan and/or a description of the feedback process, can be requested by contacting AccessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca or 613-995-0721.
In accordance with the regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 15 days of the initial request:
PrintLarge print (increased font size)
In accordance with the regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 45 days of the initial request:
Braille (a system of raised dots that people who are blind or who have low vision can read with their fingers)Audio (a recording of someone reading the text aloud)
1.4. Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this plan:
Barrier: means anything — including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice — that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.
Disability: means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person's full and equal participation in society.
1.5. About the Commissioner and the Office
The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner administers the Conflict of Interest Act, a law that applies to public office holders and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, a code of conduct that applies to Members of Parliament that forms part of the rules of the House of Commons. These two regimes seek to prevent conflicts between private interests and the public duties of appointed and elected officials. The Commissioner also provides confidential advice to the Prime Minister about conflict of interest and ethics issues.
The position of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner was created following the adoption of the Federal Accountability Act in 2006. The Commissioner is an Officer of the House of Commons whose mandate is set out in the Parliament of Canada Act.
The Commissioner is completely independent of the government of the day and the Office is part of the parliamentary infrastructure.
The Commissioner is supported by an Office of approximately 51 employees who occupy positions related to compliance, investigations, legal services, communications, and corporate management.
1.6. Compliance with future standards
Accessibility Standards Canada is responsible for the development of accessibility standards for removing barriers to access faced by people with disabilities. These standards fall within the priority areas listed in the Accessible Canada Act.
This organization publishes a database of standards and technical guides to support a barrier-free Canada.
At the time of publication of this plan, 12 guides and standards have been published by Accessibility Standards Canada and made publicly available on their website. Others are in the process of being reviewed.
At this time, the published standards and guides relate to areas of Procurement, Employment, Built Environment, Information and Communication Technologies, Communication, Transportation, Design and Delivery of Programs and Services, the Office is the process of reviewing these standards and others as they may apply to its plan and plan progress.
1.7. Accessibility goals and the Accessibility Working Group
The aim of the Office is to complete the accessibility goals for each priority area described in Part 2 of this accessibility plan by the end of the year 2025.
To achieve the accessibility goals and to implement the plan, the Office created an accessibility working group chaired by the Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, and comprised of employees from the various divisions of the Office.
This working group will work closely with the Commissioner, the Senior Management Committee and the relevant directors of each division of the Office. In this way, timely approvals for the changes that will be necessary to give effect to the accessibility plan can be implemented within the deadline.
The working group will also:
monitor plan progress;work with the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, to receive, acknowledge and review feedback on accessibility;prepare the progress reports and update the accessibility plan; andconsult persons with disabilities.
2. Areas Described Under Section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
2.1. Employment
2.1.1. Overview
This priority area is about the importance of ensuring access to employment opportunities and an accessible workplace.
The Office is a separate employer whose employees are not part of the federal public administration.
The Office has its own terms and conditions of employment, relating to hours of work, employee benefits and general working conditions affecting employees. Employees are not covered under any collective agreement. The Office has a Joint Labour Relations Committee, consisting of management and employee representatives to ensure that any new or revised policy, directive and guideline related to human resources management is developed in consultation with all employees of the Office.
The Office is committed to employment equity and having a diverse and inclusive workforce. The Office's staffing processes and appointments are based on merit and are free from political influence.
All employees of the Office are expected to follow the values set out in its Code of Values and Standards of Conduct which reflect its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Office has adopted employment-related policies, in areas such as telework, occupational health and safety, procedures for emergency response, employee recognition, employee discipline, disability management and duty to accommodate, interchange Canada assignments, job shadowing, performance management, staffing procedures, training, termination and demotion, as well as on equity diversity and inclusion.
The Office reviews and updates its policies and guidelines in line with those of other parliamentary entities and the wider public service.
2.1.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultations, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of employment could include, but were not limited to, those encountered during staffing processes, onboarding, promotion and/or career progression, or during workplace accommodation.
No barriers were identified in this area during consultation for this plan. Although during the last Employee satisfaction survey conducted in 2025, employees have expressed a lower level of satisfaction regarding the return to work premises compared to teleworking.
2.1.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will continue to support these ongoing accessibility goals through to the end of 2028.
Review staffing tools, approaches, and policies to ensure that any barriers are identified and removed to make employment with the Office accessible and inclusive.Review the Office's Guideline on Disability Management and Duty to Accommodate.Continuously support the employee network groups, including the promotion of disability groups on the parliamentary Hill.Provide access to training sessions and information sessions for employees at all levels on accessibility, barriers, unconscious bias and accommodation requests and processes so they can build expertise.
2.2. The Built Environment
2.2.1. Overview
This priority area is about the accessibility of the built environment which has a significant impact on whether people with disabilities can move freely, access and function within a space in a manner equitable with those who do not have disabilities.
The primary location in which the Office conducts most of its activities is in downtown Ottawa at 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario on the 23rd floor. The Office has a Telework Policy. Employees must sometimes access other buildings and office spaces throughout the National Capital Region (NCR).
At its primary location of work, the Office's lobby on the 23rd floor is accessed by using the building's elevators. There are also stairs that can be used from the building's ground floor to access the elevator lobby of the 23rd floor. Outside of the lobby, access to the office space requires use of a security card.
There are washrooms, including an accessible washroom, on the 23rd floor.
There are automatic doors located in some of the common areas such as washrooms and main entrances.
The Office has also established and published Procedures for Emergency Response. Furthermore, when the Office relocated to the 23rd floor, it implemented accessible evacuation procedures and provided staff training to ensure the safety of persons with disabilities during emergencies.
Since the last accessibility plan, the Office relocated to a newly redesigned floor on the 23rd Floor at 66 Slater Street in 2025. When carrying out the constructions, the Office was mindful of barriers that may arise in the built environment, such as stairs, steps, curbs, heavy or narrow doors, lack of automatic door openers, inaccessible washrooms, inadequate lighting, poor acoustics, and limited rest areas.
The new space meets accessibility requirements and incorporates universal design principles. All elements of the built environment; including entrances, hallways, signage, washrooms, and emergency exits: meet or exceed current accessibility standards.
Features of the new space include:
Accessible washroom with wide entrance.Automatic doors throughout common areas and office spaces.Signage with braille and tactile elements for wayfinding.Improved sensory controls for lighting and acoustics to support diverse needs.Wider hallways to accommodate mobility devices and ensure barrier-free movement.
This redesign demonstrates the Office's commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all employees and visitors.
2.2.2. Feedback
An employee working on Parliament Hill who has an expertise in accessibility and identifies as having a physical disability recently visited the Office’s new premises and provided valuable feedback on ways to reduce accessibility barriers. For example, relocating the signage for all three kitchen bins to the front would improve visibility, and adding Braille would benefit individuals with limited vision. Additionally, clearly defining the reception cubicle with contrasting color demarcation would assist people with vision impairments. These are useful suggestions that the Office will take into consideration moving forward.
2.2.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will continue to work on the following accessibility goals:
Review and revisit accessibility as it relates to its built environment, including by making use of the accessibility feedback process, to ensure that new barriers have not been created and that existing accessibility features have been maintained.The OCIEC recognizes that fostering an accessibility-focused culture is essential for long-term success. This section outlines initiatives to embed accessibility into organizational values and behaviors in the built environment by adopting a fragrance-free environment.
2.3. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
2.3.1. Overview
This priority area is about offering accessible digital content and technologies.
Information and communication technologies are used to deliver and access information, perform activities, and provide services. They can include, but are not limited to, hardware, software, video or voice communication tools, and other digital content.
In support of public education about the regimes that it administers, the Office makes a range of digital information available on its website (HTML and PDF) and is active on social media (X: @EthicsCanada).
The Office also has a non-public facing website used by its employees, an intranet site based on the SharePoint platform.
The Office is presently developing a new electronic system named “Nethik" to give appointed and elected persons who must comply with the regimes administered by the Office a fully secure, fast and easy way to submit required information to the Office. This system will also enhance the public registry of information that is made available by the Office to the public about certain private interests, gifts or travel.
The Office, including its employees, also use email, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), and software, such as MS Teams, to communicate and share information.
The Office has contractual agreements and works with the House of Commons related to the provision of information technology.
2.3.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultation, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of information and communication technologies could include, but were not limited to, electronic documents without accessibility features or alternative text, incompatibilities with screen readers or other assistive devices, and fonts or colour contrasts on web-based applications or in emails that create difficulties accessing the content.
2.3.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2028:
Launch a new website that meets recognized accessibility standards, uses plain language, and is designed so all users can quickly and easily find the information they need. (medium term)
2.4. Communication, Other Than ICT
2.4.1. Overview
This priority area focuses on ensuring that everyone can communicate, share, and access information without barriers. Accessible communication means using clear, direct, and inclusive language and offering information in formats that meet diverse needs.
The Office communicates with elected and appointed public officials, the media, and the public through various channels, including phone, email, mail, fax, published reports and information notices on its website, social media (X and LinkedIn), as well as virtual and in-person presentations. The Office has established processes to ensure that information is accurate, timely, and useful.
It is building on previous efforts to strengthen accessibility in communications by removing barriers to these interactions and by aligning with new standards.
2.4.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultation, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of communication (other than ICT) could include, but were not limited to, font or print that is too small or hard to read, no alternative access to the content of graphs or charts, lack of use of plain language, instructions that are confusing or complicated, presentations that are not fully accessible, seating arrangements that exclude people from participating fully in the communication process.
There was no feedback received in respect of the Office's Communication, Other Than ICT.
2.4.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2028.
Align the Office's existing plain language practices with Canada's first National Standard on Plain Language (CAN-ASC-3.1:2025), published by Accessibility Standards Canada. (medium term)Improve the accessibility and readability of digital documents by updating the Office's default font to Aptos 12-point, which offers greater clarity on high-resolution screens and better character distinction. (short term)Implement a screen reader tool to test and optimize the accessibility of the Office's website and documents. (long term)Ensure the Office has clear guidance and resources to support accessibility features for presentations, such as closed captioning and sign language interpretation, when requested, and includes options for participants to request these services. (medium term)
2.5. Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities
2.5.1. Overview
This priority area is about making accessibility an important component of the procurement process and about ensuring that the Office purchases accessible goods, services and facilities.
Procurement refers to the acquisition of goods and services by any means, including purchase, rental, lease or conditional sale.
For the Office, procurement is done in accordance with the Office's Directive on the Procurement of Goods and Services, Policy on the Delegation of Financial Signing Authorities, and the Directive on Acquisition Cards.
The current procurement directive mentions an objective of enhancing access and includes a requirement for following ethical practices.
As set out in its financial reports, the Office enters transactions with other government and parliamentary entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. For example, the Office has agreements with the House of Commons related to the provision of information technology and security services, and the Public Services and Procurement Canada related to the provision of compensation services.
2.5.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultation, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of procurement of goods, services, and facilities could include, but were not limited to whether a good or service can be used by persons in different positions (seated, standing), with different levels of strength or range of body movement, with hearing or vision loss; whether support materials, such as manuals, are accessible in other formats; whether products can be customized or work with other accessible technologies; whether the organization providing the good or service provide accessible customer support; whether there are accessibility requirement clauses set out in contracts or Office policies concerning contracting.
There was no feedback received in respect of the Office's procurement.
2.5.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2028.
Continuously review the current procurement directive and related policies to incorporate accessibility considerations.Continuously review the inventory of current goods and services and enquire about the accessibility practices and services of current suppliers.
2.6. Design and Delivery of Programs and Services
2.6.1. Overview
This priority area is about ensuring that everyone can receive and access the services and programs delivered by the Office. The key programs and services delivered by the Office involve:
reporting to the Prime Minister and to Parliament;helping regulatees achieve and maintain compliance with the conflict of interest regimes;giving regulatees confidential guidance tailored to their individual situations;helping regulatees understand their obligations under the regimes through education and outreach;applying investigations and other enforcement provisions as appropriate;exchanging information with domestic and international counterparts;providing programs and services to employees.
2.6.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultations the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of design and delivery of programs and services could include, but were not limited to a lack of diverse channels for delivering services (e.g., over the phone, in-person, email, reports).
The Office received no feedback in this area.
2.6.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete this accessibility goal by the end of 2028.
Provide employees with appropriate tools and training to make accessibility a key consideration in all future programs and services.
2.7. Transportation
2.7.1. Overview
This priority area aims to create a barrier-free federal transportation network.
While the Office does not provide transportation services, travel on behalf of the Office may from time-to-time form part of an employee's official duties. In this context, the Office has Guidelines on Travel that consider accessibility, as well as a Directive on Travel and Conference.
Expenditures, Guidelines for the Approval of Travel for the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, the National Joint Council Travel Directive, the Code of Values and Standards of Conduct for employees of the Office and other internal policies or directives related to financial management.
The primary place of work for the Office, 66 Slater Street, is located in downtown Ottawa. It is accessible by public transit and the building has underground public parking operated and managed by a third party and includes access to the building's elevators. Parking is also available at the National Arts Centre across the street from the building.
The Office has guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees.
As a result of its location, offloading and onloading from vehicles as well as vehicle passenger drop-off or pick-up can be challenging outside of the building.
2.7.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultations, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of transportation could include, but were not limited to those that result from long work-related travel distances, adverse policies affecting travel, lack of accessible seating, alternative service options, lack of or confusing signs and directions.
The Office received no feedback in this area.
2.7.3. Accessibility Goals
Review policies and guidelines related to employee travel to identify and remove any accessibility barriers to ensure that all employees travel safely regardless of disability.Update guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees to include accessibility standards, including as to how parking spaces are attributed.
3. Consultations
Since the initial plan was published, employees at all levels of the Office were consulted for the purposes of informing this accessibility plan.
Through these consultations, each person was offered the opportunity to provide anonymized accessibility feedback through a survey in the areas described under section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act. They were also provided with an alternative method for contacting the Office with questions or comments about accessibility.
3.1. Employees
As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, the Office conducts an Employee Satisfaction Survey every three years, and the most recent survey was completed this year.
The survey provided employees with an opportunity to share feedback on various aspects of their work environment, level of satisfaction and possibility of providing suggestions. No comments or concerns related to accessibility preferences, barriers, or accommodation needs were identified during this process.
This result indicates that employees are generally satisfied with their work environment, and no accessibility-related issues were raised. The Office will continue to monitor employee feedback and maintain open channels for accessibility-related input to ensure that emerging needs are addressed promptly.
3.2. Stakeholders
The Office consulted the House of Commons and its experts on accessibility to ensure full compliance with accessibility standards on the development of its website.
There were also accessibility experts from the House of Commons who were consulted during the construction of the built environment, i.e. the 23rd floor and move.
3.3. Public
In developing this plan and after its move to the 23rd floor, the Office consulted a person who identifies as having a physical disability. The individual came to the built environment and was kind enough to provide great advice, feedback and resources concerning barriers and accessibility about the physical environment. The feedback offered was generally positive with some focus area for improvement. Most were related to eyesight limitations or moving small office furniture and equipment. The Objective for the Accessibility Plan will consider the recommendations made during this consultation.
3.4. Parliamentary Precinct Working Group
Over the past years, the Office regularly participated in bi-weekly meetings on accessibility with representatives of other parliamentary precinct entities.
The purpose of these meetings is to share experiences, share feedback on consultations with persons with disabilities who have had dealings with parliamentary entities and advocacy groups, and to share information to help align an approach to accessibility by parliamentary entities.
The information shared at this working group was greatly appreciated and was instrumental in the preparation of this plan.
1. General
1.1 Overview
The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner recognizes the importance of accessibility and to provide a barrier-free environment in the work place. The Office published its accessibility plan on December 15, 2022, and its first Progress Report was published at the beginning of December 2023. Those documents and other resources are available on our website, they are available upon request in alternative formats.
Contact Information and Feedback Process
The Office welcomes feedback, including feedback submitted anonymously, about accessibility at the Office and about this progress report. We are committed to reviewing the feedback we receive in good faith and to taking steps to address, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility that are identified through this feedback.
Feedback about either accessibility at the Office or this progress report may be submitted in the following ways:
By contacting the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, using the information below:
Manager, Human Resources Client ServicesOffice of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics CommissionerParliament of CanadaOttawa, Ontario K1A 0A6AccessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca613-995-0721
By completing the online accessibility feedback survey. Alternate formats of the survey can be requested by emailing us or calling us at 613-995-0721.
The Office must keep the most recent version of the description of its feedback process for seven years after it is published or until a new description is published.
The Office will acknowledge the feedback it received in the same way that it was sent to it, unless it was sent by an anonymous source. The Office will review all feedback received and take steps to address barriers to accessibility that are identified. A copy of any feedback received must be kept for seven years.
Alternative formats of this progress report and/or a description of the feedback process can be requested by emailing us or calling us at 613-995-0721.
In accordance with the Accessible Canada Regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 15 days of the initial request:
PrintLarge print (increased font size)
In accordance with the regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 45 days of the initial request:
Braille (a system of raised dots that people who are blind or who have low vision can read with their fingers)Audio (a recording of someone reading the text aloud)
1.2 Definitions
The following definitions are set out in the Accessible Canada Act and apply throughout this progress report:
Barrier: Anything that might hinder the full and equal participation in society by people with disabilities. Barriers can be physical, architectural, technological, attitudinal, based on information or communications, or the result of a policy or procedure.
Disability: Any impairment or difference in physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, sensory, or communication abilities that, when interacting with a barrier, hinders a person's full and equal participation in society. Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or change over time, and they may or may not be evident.
1.3 About the Commissioner and the Office
The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner administers the Conflict of Interest Act, a law that applies to public office holders and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, a code of conduct that forms part of the rules of the House of Commons. These two regimes seek to prevent conflicts between private interests and the public duties of appointed and elected officials. The Commissioner also provides confidential advice to the Prime Minister about conflict of interest and ethics issues.
The position of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner was created following the adoption of the Federal Accountability Act in 2006. The Commissioner is an Officer of the House of Commons whose mandate is set out in the Parliament of Canada Act.
The Commissioner is completely independent of the government of the day and the Office is part of the parliamentary infrastructure.
The Commissioner is supported by an Office of approximately 50 employees who occupy positions related to compliance, investigations, legal services, communications, and corporate management.
1.4 Compliance with future standards
Accessibility Standards Canada is responsible for the development of accessibility standards for removing barriers to access faced by people with disabilities. These standards fall within the priority areas listed in the Accessible Canada Act.
This organization developed a document called Roadmap to 2040 – A plan to guide the work of Accessibility Standards Canada as a guide for its work.
At the time of the preparation of this progress report, the Office is aware that standards are in development: some have completed a first public review, while others are pending.
As standards are completed by Accessibility Standards Canada and made publicly available on their website, the Office will review them as they are released and will adjust its actions to ensure that these standards are implemented.
1.5 Accessibility goals and the Accessibility Working Group
The aim of the Office is to complete the accessibility goals for each priority area described in Part 2 of the Accessibility Plan by the end of the year 2025.
To achieve the accessibility goals and to implement the plan, the Office created an accessibility working group chaired by the Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, and comprised of employees from the various divisions of the Office.
The working group:
monitors the implementation of the accessibility goals outlined in the plan;works with the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, to receive, acknowledge, and review feedback on accessibility;writes the progress reports; andconsults persons with disabilities.
2. Areas Described Under Section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
2.1 Employment
2.1.1 Overview
This priority area is about the importance of ensuring access to employment opportunities and an accessible workplace.
The Office is a separate employer whose employees are not part of the federal public administration.
The Office has its own terms and conditions of employment, relating to hours of work, employee benefits and general working conditions affecting employees. Employees are not covered under any collective agreement. The Office has a Joint Labour Relations Committee, consisting of management and employee representatives to ensure that any new or revised policy, directive, and guideline related to human resources management is developed in consultation with all employees of the Office.
The Office is committed to employment equity and having a diverse and inclusive workforce. The Office's staffing processes and appointments are based on merit and are free from political influence.
All employees of the Office are expected to follow the values set out in its Code of Values and Standards of Conduct which reflect its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Office has employment-related policies, in areas such as telework, occupational health and safety, procedures for emergency response, employee recognition, employee discipline, disability management and duty to accommodate, Interchange Canada assignments, job shadowing, performance management, staffing procedures, training, termination and demotion, as well as on equity diversity and inclusion.
The Office reviews and updates its policies and guidelines in line with those of other parliamentary entities and the wider public service.
2.1.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office adopted a systematic review of its employment practices, procedures, and policies for accessibility in the past years.
The Office asked for feedback for this area on the employee survey of the Office's progress and results can be found in section 4 (Feedback). The Office is on track to complete its accessibility goals related to this area by the end of 2025.
2.1.3 Accessibility Goals
1. Review staffing tools, approaches, and policies to ensure that any barriers are identified and removed so as to make employment with the Office accessible and inclusive.
Status: in progress
Progress
Human resources policies, regulations, guidelines and other documents or processes, are continuing to be revised to identify and, as necessary, remove any accessibility barriers.
Staffing processes are dedicated to addressing accessibility needs, with candidates able to request accommodations from Human Resources as noted in job postings.
Terms and conditions of employment were revised, approved, and published on the Office's intranet by meeting the accessibility requirements.
2. Review the Guideline on Disability Management and Duty to Accommodate.
Status: completed
Progress
The Office has completed its review of the Guideline, and it was determined that the document still reflects best practices. The Office is aware that other parliamentary entities are revising their guidelines and once that exercise is completed, we will take that opportunity to review our own Guideline to incorporate any new best practices.
3. Continuously support the employee network groups, including the promotion of disability groups on the parliamentary Hill.
Status: evergreen
Progress
The Office continues to regularly participate in meetings on accessibility with representatives of the Parliamentary Precinct Universal Accessibility Working Group. The information shared at this working group is communicated with employees in various ways such as office-wide meetings and the intranet. Collaboration efforts with this group will continue in 2025.
4. Provide access to training sessions for employees at all levels, as per the Guidelines on Learning, Training and Development, on accessibility, barriers, unconscious bias and accommodation requests and processes so they can build expertise.
Status: evergreen
Progress
The Office provides employees with access to the Canada School of Public Service training database and regularly communicates to employees new accessible training opportunities from various organizations, including Eliminating Barriers: Lessons Learned in Accessibility, and Addressing Disability Inclusion and Barriers to Accessibility. Those trainings opportunities are available on the intranet and will be updated as new content becomes available. Efforts and collaboration will continue in the future.
2.2 The Built Environment
2.2.1 Overview
The Office has adopted a hybrid work environment, where employees may, if they wish and subject to operational requirements and duties, work from the Office's primary location (the 22nd floor of 66 Slater Street in downtown Ottawa) or an approved alternate work location.
This priority area concerns the Office's physical environment at the primary location, which is a significant factor on whether people with disabilities can move freely, access and function within the space in as similar a manner as possible as those who do not have disabilities.
At its primary location of work, the Office's lobby on the 22nd floor is accessed by using the building's elevators. The use of a security card is required to access the workspace from the lobby.
There are washrooms, including an accessible washroom, on the 22nd floor. There are automatic doors located in some of the common areas such as washrooms and main entrance.
The Office has Procedures for Emergency Response and an active Health and Safety Committee.
2.2.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office is in the process of moving to the 23rd floor at its primary location. The floor plan was developed and approved with accessibility considerations at the forefront of the project. The Office is expected to complete its accessibility goals related to this area by the end of 2025.
The Office asked for feedback for this area on the employee survey of the Office's progress and results can be found in section 4 (Feedback).
2.2.3 Accessibility Goals
1. Ensure the Office’s change to its physical office space will align with current accessibility requirements, working with Public Services and Procurement Canada to correct and eliminate accessibility barriers where noted.
Status: in progress
Progress
In the planning for the move to the 23rd floor, Public Services and Procurement Canada has engaged the services of accessibility experts, to ensure the office’s physical environment at its primary location meets all accessibility codes and regulations. The construction of the 23rd floor is on track to meet all applicable accessibility codes and regulations.
2. Ensure that its office space will include signage standards meeting accessibility requirements and best practices, and develop plans to ensure a periodic review of its signs to correct and eliminate barriers.
Status: in progress
Progress
The Office is looking towards digital signage, where possible, for the 23rd floor. Using digital signage allows the office to be adaptable to individuals with varying visual impairments. In the instances where digital signage is not possible, accessibility experts have been engaged to ensure we meet legislation, codes, and regulations surrounding accessibility.
3. Review and revisit accessibility as it relates to its built environment, including by making use of the accessibility feedback process, to ensure that new barriers have not been created and that existing accessibility features have been maintained.
Status: evergreen
Progress
In finalizing the plans for its move to the 23rd floor, the Office remained mindful of its goal to keep up to date with accessibility standards, while ensuring that the physical environment does not create any new barriers for individuals currently employed by the Office. Looking ahead, the Office will continue to encourage new and existing employees to use any and all feedback channels at their disposal, to provide feedback on accessibility.
4. Review its emergency procedures to incorporate information about emergency procedures for people with disabilities. The Office will also look at providing relevant training in this area to ensure that employees are aware of the emergency plans and who is responsible for assisting employees or visitors both inside our buildings and in the immediate surrounding area in case of an emergency.
Status: evergreen
Progress
The Office’s Health and Safety Committee revised its emergency procedures with accessibility needs in mind. These procedures were strategically posted on Office premises, as well as on the Office’s intranet. Training remains available for employees who have volunteered to be fire wardens during an evacuation.
2.3 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
2.3.1 Overview
This priority area is about offering accessible digital content and technologies.
Information and communication technologies are used to deliver and access information, perform activities, and provide services. They can include, but are not limited to, hardware, software, and video or voice communication tools.
In support of public education about the regimes that it administers, the Office makes a range of digital information available on its website (HTML and PDF) and is active on social media.
The Office also has a non-public-facing site used by its employees, an intranet site based using Microsoft SharePoint.
The Office is presently developing a new declaration portal, public registry and client relationship management application. The new declaration portal is intended to give regulatees (appointed and elected persons who must comply with the regimes administered by the Office) an alternative and secure means to submit information to the Office. The new public registry is intended to enhance the information the Office must make public about certain private interests, gifts or travel of regulatees. The new client relationship management application is intended to provide employees the ability to capture and report on more data.
The Office, including its employees, also use email, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), and other applications, such as, but not limited to, MS Teams, SharePoint and Loop, to communicate and share information.
The Office has contractual agreements and works predominantly with the House of Commons in relation to the provision of information and communication technology.
2.3.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office is in the process of applying Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), where and when applicable to its information and communication technologies.
The Office asked for feedback for this area on the employee survey of the Office's progress and results can be found in section 4 (Feedback).
2.3.3 Accessibility Goals
1. Ensure that all the Office's online platforms are accessible for all users.
Status: evergreen
Progress
For tools and applications which are developed with our parliamentary partners, we have agreements and teams in place to ensure they are built, developed, and tested against WCAG 2.2 standards, or whichever standards may be in place from time to time, and corrected where possible to meet those standards.
For tools and applications which are not developed with our parliamentary partners (for example, Microsoft 365 suite of applications), we are continually endeavouring to remain abreast of accessibility functionality being implemented within them, to ensure any employee who is in need of a functionality to address their specific accessibility requirements may be accommodated by these standard tools. And, in instances where this is not possible, the Office looks to other technologies to meet individual accessibility requirements, as and where needed.
2. Identify and address accessibility gaps with the Office's website and update it to comply with the new WCAG2.2 criteria.
Status: in progress
Progress
The Office is in the process of redeveloping its website with parliamentary partners. Once the development is far enough along, it will be, to the greatest extent possible, tested against WCAG 2.2 standards or whichever standards may be in place from time to time.
3. Adapt the formatting of newly created or updated documents and forms to accessibility guidelines.
Status: evergreen
Progress
The employee responsible for desktop publishing has been applying the skills learned in training on how to make the Office’s documents more accessible. The employee is ensuring that new and revised internal and external documents and forms are formatted to be accessible. Reminder checklists have been created and are followed to ensure that accessibility principles are applied.
4. Plan for a review of all software applications developed in-house or acquired from third parties in order to identify and remove any potential accessibility barriers and to determine how they interact with adaptive technology.
Status: evergreen
Progress
A review of all applications and tools was completed.
For tools and applications which are developed with our parliamentary partners, we have agreements and teams in place to ensure that as they are built and developed, they are tested against WCAG 2.2 standards. And any barriers identified during these tests are corrected if possible. Any barriers not captured by these tests will be endeavoured to be overcome by the Office as they arise.
For tools and applications which are not developed with our parliamentary partners (for example, Microsoft 365 suite of applications), the Office is continually endeavouring to remain abreast of accessibility functionality being implemented within them, to ensure any person who is in need of a functionality to address their specific accessibility requirements may be accommodated by these standard tools. And, in instances where this is not possible, the Office will endeavour to look for solutions to overcome any barrier as they arise.
2.4 Communication, Other Than ICT
2.4.1 Overview
This priority area is about creating barrier-free spaces where everyone can communicate, share, and access information. Accessible communication can involve clear, direct, and plain language. Information can also be offered in different formats to enhance accessibility.
The Office communicates with regulatees, the media and members of the public whether by phone, email, post, fax, through publication of reports, guidelines, and information notices, as well as in person, through presentations or through direct messages on social media.
The Office has developed procedures and processes to ensure that it provides accurate, timely and useful information to the individuals and groups seeking information.
2.4.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office will continue to implement the accessibility guidelines around its communications, with a strong focus on plain language.
2.4.3 Accessibility Goals
1. Develop and implement plain language guidelines for the Office's publications and communications.
Status: evergreen
Progress
The Office’s Internal Communications Working Group continued its plain language audit to review the Office’s communication products and ensure they follow plain language principles. The initial scope of the plain language audit has been achieved, but some information notices will be updated to use plain language. The Office’s Style Guide was updated in both official languages to include plain language guidelines, helping employees communicate in a way that allows people to access, understand, and use the information the Office shares. These guidelines are now consistently applied when creating new communications, and internal policies and procedures are being rewritten into plain language as they are updated. Employee awareness of the importance of plain language is growing.
2. Implement accessibility guidelines for its communications (including presentations, publications and images).
Status: evergreen
Progress
The Office continues to adopt the Government of Canada’s Guidelines on Making Communications Products and Activities Accessible as well as the Directive on the Management of Communications in the designing and development of its communications products. This includes using plain language, applying clear and consistent layouts, designing and formatting PDF and Word documents, as well as PowerPoint presentations, to be accessible, writing alternative text for informative and decorative visuals, among other considerations. The employee responsible for desktop publishing ensures that new and revised internal and external documents and forms are formatted to be accessible, based on Government of Canada guidelines and knowledge acquired through specialized accessibility training. Reminder checklists have been created and are followed to ensure that accessibility principles are applied.
2.5 Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities
2.5.1 Overview
This priority area is about making accessibility an important component of the procurement process and about ensuring that the Office purchases accessible goods, services, and facilities.
Procurement refers to the acquisition of goods and services by any means, including purchase, rental, lease, or conditional sale.
For the Office, procurement is done in accordance with the Office's Directive on the Procurement of Goods and Services, Policy on the Delegation of Financial Signing Authorities, and the Directive on Acquisition Cards.
The current procurement directive mentions an objective of enhancing access and includes a requirement for following ethical practices.
As set out in its financial reports, the Office enters into transactions with other government and parliamentary entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. For example, the Office has agreements with the House of Commons related to the provision of information technology and security services, and the Public Services and Procurement Canada related to the provision of compensation services.
2.5.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office has reviewed its procedures related to procurement of goods, services offered, and facilities being used with accessibility goals in mind.
The Office asked for some feedback on its accessibility goals related to procurement of goods, services, and facilities and is on track to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025.
2.5.3 Accessibility Goals
1. Review the current procurement directive and related policies to incorporate accessibility considerations.
Status: in progress
Progress
The review of the procurement policy has been completed and is being revised for approval.
2. Review the inventory of current goods and services and enquire about the accessibility practices and services of current suppliers.
Status: completed
Progress
The Office has reached out to a number of suppliers to enquire about their accessibility practices and services. It was communicated by suppliers that accessible services are available as necessary.
2.6 Design and Delivery of Programs and Services
2.6.1 Overview
This priority area is about ensuring that everyone can receive and access the services and programs delivered by the Office. The key programs and services delivered by the Office involve:
reporting to the Prime Minister and to Parliament;helping regulatees achieve and maintain compliance with the conflict of interest regimes;giving regulatees confidential guidance tailored to their individual situations;helping regulatees understand their obligations under the regimes through education and outreach;applying investigations and other enforcement provisions as appropriate;exchanging information with domestic and international counterparts;providing programs and services to employees.
2.6.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office received no feedback about barriers related to design and delivery of programs and services and is on track to complete the following accessibility goal by the end of 2025.
2.6.3 Accessibility Goal
1. Provide employees with appropriate tools and training to make accessibility a key consideration in all future programs and services.
Status: evergreen
Progress
The Office provided accessibility training opportunities to employees and continues to look for more ways to incorporate the lessons learned in its delivery of programs and services. For example, the Office has developed a course for regulatees through Articulate 360, an e-training platform with accessibility features that support Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Its content also works with screen readers.
2.7 Transportation
2.7.1 Overview
This priority area aims to create a barrier-free federal transportation network.
While the Office still does not provide transportation services, travel on behalf of the Office may from time-to-time form part of an employee's official duties. In this context, the Office has Guidelines on Travel that consider accessibility, as well as a Directive on Travel and Conference Expenditures, Guidelines for the Approval of Travel for the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, the National Joint Council Travel Directive, the Code of Values and Standards of Conduct for employees of the Office and other internal policies or directives related to financial management.
The primary place of work for the Office, 66 Slater Street, is located in downtown Ottawa. It is accessible by public transit and the building has underground public parking operated and managed by a third party and includes access to the building's elevators. Parking is also available at the National Arts Centre across the street from the building, which is also accessible.
The Office has guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees.
As a result of its location, onloading and offloading from vehicles as well as passenger drop-off or pick-up can be challenging outside of the building.
2.7.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office has conducted a review and identified that more work is needed to incorporate accessibility considerations in its directives and guidelines relating to transportation.
The Office received no feedback on its accessibility goals related to transportation and is on track to complete its accessibility goals by 2025.
1. Review policies and guidelines related to employee travel to identify and remove any accessibility barriers to ensure that all employees travel safely regardless of disability.
Status: in progress
Progress
While the Office completed an initial review of its guidelines relating to transportation, namely the Guidelines on Travel; Directive on Travel and Conference Expenditures; Guidelines for the Approval of Travel for the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, a further review will be needed to address accessibility considerations.
2. Update guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees to include accessibility standards, including as to how parking spaces are attributed.
Status: evergreen
Progress
The Office completed an initial review of its parking guidelines. There are broad enough provisions within them to address individual accessibility requirements as they are presented by employees engaged by the Office from time-to-time. The Office, however, remains committed to periodically reviewing these guidelines to ensure the provisions continue to remain broad enough to address any future individual accessibility requirement.
3. Consultations
Over the past year, the Office regularly participated in meetings on accessibility with representatives of other parliamentary precinct entities.
The purpose of these meetings was to share experiences, particularly in the drafting of the progress reports, share feedback on consultations with persons with disabilities who have had dealings with parliamentary entities and advocacy groups, and to share information to help align an approach to accessibility by parliamentary entities.
The information shared at this working group was greatly appreciated and was instrumental in the preparation of this progress report.
4. Feedback received
Through this year's employee survey of the Office's progress in accessibility, the Office consulted with employees, including those who self-identified as living with disabilities, to have a better understanding of the barriers they've observed or are currently facing. Employees were asked about the following:
Built EnvironmentEmployment (job opportunities and employment policies and practices)Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)Communication, Other Than ICTProcurement of Goods, Services, and FacilitiesDesign and Delivery of Programs and ServicesTransportation
Overall employees mentioned that they are still interested in obtaining more training on accessibility, specifically on accessibility awareness, how to create accessible documents, how-to management training for when a disability is disclosed, and hosting accessible events and meetings.
The survey included an accessibility quiz. Employees were asked to identify whether various photos depicting people engaging in activities were demonstrative of persons with a disability. The quiz results also show that training on accessibility awareness and needs could be beneficial.
The feedback we received confirms the importance of several initiatives already captured in the accessibility plan and the barriers that were identified will help pinpoint areas where further consultation would be beneficial.
The Office made the following educational sessions available to its employees in the past year:
Workshop on multiple chemical sensitivityConference with Stephanie Cadieux, Canada's Chief Accessibility OfficerLived Experience Session: Living with ADHDAccessibility Presentation – Food for Thought Series
In the future, the Office will continue to make similar sessions available to employees. It will also look to make available educational sessions on the topics identified in the survey.
1. General
1.1 Overview
The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner recognizes the importance of accessibility and to provide a barrier-free environment in the work place. The Office published its accessibility plan on December 15, 2022. This report and other resources are available on our website and are available upon request in alternative formats.
Contact Information and Feedback Process
The Office welcomes feedback, including feedback submitted anonymously, about accessibility at the Office and about this progress report. We are committed to reviewing the feedback we receive in good faith and to taking steps to address, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility that are identified through this feedback.
Feedback about either accessibility at the Office or this progress report may be submitted in the following ways:
By contacting the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, using the information below:
Manager, Human Resources Client ServicesParliament of CanadaOffice of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics CommissionerOttawa, Ontario K1A 0A6AccessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca613-995-0721
By completing the online accessibility feedback survey. Alternate formats of the survey can be requested by emailing us or calling us at 613-995-0721.
The Office must keep the most recent version of the description of its feedback process for seven years after it is published or until a new description is published.
The Office will acknowledge the feedback it received in the same way that it was sent to it, unless it was sent by an anonymous source. The Office will review all feedback received and take steps to address barriers to accessibility that are identified. A copy of any feedback received must be kept for seven years.
Alternative formats of this progress report and/or a description of the feedback process, can be requested by emailing us or calling us at 613-995-0721.
In accordance with the regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 15 days of the initial request:
PrintLarge print (increased font size)
In accordance with the regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 45 days of the initial request:
Braille (a system of raised dots that people who are blind or who have low vision can read with their fingers)Audio (a recording of someone reading the text aloud)
1.2 Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this progress report:
Barrier: Anything that might hinder the full and equal participation in society by people with disabilities. Barriers can be physical, architectural, technological, attitudinal, based on information or communications, or the result of a policy or procedure.
Disability: Any impairment or difference in physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, sensory, or communication abilities that, when interacting with a barrier, hinders a person's full and equal participation in society. Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or change over time, and they may or may not be evident.
1.3 About the Commissioner and the Office
The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner administers the Conflict of Interest Act, a law that applies to public office holders and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, a code of conduct that forms part of the rules of the House of Commons. These two regimes seek to prevent conflicts between private interests and the public duties of appointed and elected officials. The Commissioner also provides confidential advice to the Prime Minister about conflict of interest and ethics issues.
The position of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner was created following the adoption of the Federal Accountability Act in 2006. The Commissioner is an Officer of the House of Commons whose mandate is set out in the Parliament of Canada Act.
The Commissioner is completely independent of the government of the day and the Office is part of the parliamentary infrastructure.
The Commissioner is supported by an Office of approximately 50 employees who occupy positions related to compliance, investigations, legal services, communications, and corporate management.
1.4 Compliance with future standards
Accessibility Standards Canada is responsible for the development of accessibility standards for removing barriers to access faced by people with disabilities. These standards fall within the priority areas listed in the Accessible Canada Act.
This organization developed a document called Roadmap to 2040 – A plan to guide the work of Accessibility Standards Canada as a guide for its work.
At the time of the preparation of this progress report, the Office is aware that 12 standards are in development, some have completed a first public review while others are pending. The Office is not aware of any standards that were completed or published.
As standards are completed by Accessibility Standards Canada and made publicly available on their website, the Office will review them as they are released and will adjust its actions to ensure that these standards are implemented.
1.5 Accessibility goals and the Accessibility Working Group
The aim of the Office is to complete the accessibility goals for each priority area described in Part 2 of the Accessibility Plan by the end of the year 2025.
To achieve the accessibility goals and to implement the plan, the Office created an accessibility working group chaired by the Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, and comprised of employees from the various divisions of the Office.
The working group:
monitors the implementation of the accessibility goals outlined in the plan;works with the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, to receive, acknowledge and review feedback on accessibility;writes the progress reports; andconsults persons with disabilities.
2. Areas Described Under Section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
2.1 Employment
2.1.1 Overview
This priority area is about the importance of ensuring access to employment opportunities and an accessible workplace.
The Office is a separate employer whose employees are not part of the federal public administration.
The Office has its own terms and conditions of employment, relating to hours of work, employee benefits and general working conditions affecting employees. Employees are not covered under any collective agreement. The Office has a Joint Labour Relations Committee, consisting of management and employee representatives to ensure that any new or revised policy, directive and guideline related to human resources management is developed in consultation with all employees of the Office.
The Office is committed to employment equity and having a diverse and inclusive workforce. The Office's staffing processes and appointments are based on merit and are free from political influence.
All employees of the Office are expected to follow the values set out in its Code of Values and Standards of Conduct which reflect its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Office has employment-related policies, in areas such as telework, occupational health and safety, procedures for emergency response, employee recognition, employee discipline, disability management and duty to accommodate, interchange Canada assignments, job shadowing, performance management, staffing procedures, training, termination and demotion, as well as on equity diversity and inclusion.
The Office reviews and updates its policies and guidelines in line with those of other parliamentary entities and the wider public service.
2.1.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office adopted a systematic review of its employment practices, procedures, and policies for accessibility in the past year.
The Office received feedback for this area on the employee survey of the Office's progress and results can be found in section 4 (Feedback). The Office is on track to complete its accessibility goals related to this area by the end of 2025.
Accessibility Goals
1. Review staffing tools, approaches, and policies to ensure that any barriers are identified and removed so as to make employment with the Office accessible and inclusive.
Status: in progress
Expected completion: 2025
Progress
The terms and conditions of employment are being revised to identify and, as necessary, remove any accessibility barriers. As part of this exercise, the Office will have regard to other federal employers' and parliamentary entities latest terms and conditions of employment.
Staffing processes continue to ensure that every candidate and participant's accessibility needs are met by identifying on job poster that they can communicate requests for accommodations to Human Resources.
2. Review the Guideline on Disability Management and Duty to Accommodate.
Status: completed
Progress
The Office has completed its review of the Guideline and it was determined that the document still reflects best practices. The Office is aware that other parliamentary entities are revising their guidelines and once that exercise is completed, we will take that opportunity to review our own Guideline to incorporate any new best practices.
3. Continuously support the employee network groups, including the promotion of disability groups on the parliamentary Hill.
Status: completed (continuous)
Progress
The Office continues to regularly participate in meetings on accessibility with representatives of the Parliamentary Precinct Universal Accessibility Working Group. The information shared at this working group is communicated with employees in various ways such as office-wide meetings and the intranet. Collaboration efforts with this group will continue in 2024.
4. Provide access to training sessions for employees at all levels, as per the Guidelines on Learning, Training and Development, on accessibility, barriers, unconscious bias and accommodation requests and processes so they can build expertise.
Status: completed (continuous)
Progress
The Office provides employees with access to the Canada School of Public Service training database and regularly communicates to employees new accessible training opportunities from various organizations, including Eliminating Barriers: Lessons Learned in Accessibility, and Addressing Disability Inclusion and Barriers to Accessibility. Efforts and collaboration will continue in the future.
2.2 The Built Environment
2.2.1 Overview
This priority area is about the accessibility of the built environment which has a significant impact on whether people with disabilities can move freely, access and function within a space in a manner equitable with those who do not have disabilities.
The primary location in which the Office conducts most of its activities is in downtown Ottawa at 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario on the 22nd floor. Since most employees are in a hybrid environment, in 2023 the Office decided to reduce its work environment to one floor. The Telework Policy is still in place, employees of the Office may work from an approved alternate location.
Employees must sometimes access other buildings and office spaces throughout the National Capital Region.
At its primary location of work, the Office's lobby on the 22nd floor is accessed by using the building's elevators. Outside of the lobby on the 22nd floor, access to the office space requires use of a security card.
There are washrooms, including accessible washroom, on the 22nd floor.
There are automatic doors located in some of the common areas such as washrooms and main entrances.
The Office has Procedures for Emergency Response and an active Health and Safety Committee.
2.2.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office is in the process of moving from two floors (21st and 22nd floors) to a single floor (23rd floor). The floor plans have been approved, with accessibility considerations at the forefront of the project, and construction will be underway in the next year.
The Office received feedback for this area on the employee survey of the Office's progress and results can be found in section 4 (Feedback). The Office is on track to complete its accessibility goals related to this area by the end of 2025.
Accessibility Goals
1. Ensure that the Office's planned change to its physical office space in the coming years will be in line with accessibility requirements, including by working with Public Services and Procurement Canada to prioritize taking steps that are necessary to correct and eliminate barriers.
Status: in progress, delayed
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
In the planning for the move to the 23rd floor, Public Services and Procurement Canada has engaged the services of an accessibility expert, to ensure the office's physical environment meets all accessibility codes and regulations.
While construction is underway, the 22nd floor is currently the designated work location for the Office. A defibrillator and a stairway evacuation chair are located on the 22nd floor.
2. Ensure that its office space will include signage standards meeting accessibility requirements and best practices, and develop plans to ensure a periodic review of its signs to correct and eliminate barriers.
Status: in progress
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
In designing the 23rd floor, the Office is looking towards digital signage, where possible. Using digital signage allows the office to be adaptable to individuals with varying visual impairments. In the instances where digital signage is not possible, accessibility experts will be engaged to ensure we meet or exceed legislation, codes, and regulations.
3. Review and revisit accessibility as it relates to its built environment, including by making use of the accessibility feedback process, to ensure that new barriers have not been created and that existing accessibility features have been maintained.
Status: in progress
Expected completion: 2025
Progress
In finalizing the plans for its move to the 23rd floor, the Office remains mindful of its goal to keep the current accessibility standards, while ensuring that the move does not create any new barriers. To achieve this, the Office will continue to encourage employees to use the feedback loop, and will ensure that it is maintained and monitored.
4. Review its emergency procedures to incorporate information about emergency procedures for people with disabilities. The Office will also look at providing relevant training in this area to ensure that employees are aware of the emergency plans and who is responsible for assisting employees or visitors both inside our buildings and in the immediate surrounding area in case of an emergency.
Status: completed (continuous)
Progress
The Office's Health and Safety Committee revised its emergency procedures with accessibility needs in mind. These procedures were strategically posted on Office premises, as well as on the Office's intranet. Training remains available for employees who have volunteered to be fire wardens during an evacuation.
2.3 Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
2.3.1 Overview
This priority area is about offering accessible digital content and technologies.
Information and communication technologies are used to deliver and access information, perform activities, and provide services. They can include, but are not limited to, hardware, software, video or voice communication tools, and other digital content.
In support of public education about the regimes that it administers, the Office makes a range of digital information available on its website (HTML and PDF) and is active on social media.
The Office also has a non-public facing website used by its employees, an intranet site based on the SharePoint platform.
The Office is presently developing a new electronic system named “Nethik" to give regulatees—appointed and elected persons who must comply with the regimes administered by the Office—a fully secure, fast and easy way to submit required information to the Office. This system will also enhance the public registry of information that is made available by the Office to the public about certain private interests, gifts or travel of regulatees.
The Office, including its employees, also use email, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), and software, such as MS Teams, to communicate and share information.
The Office has contractual agreements and works with the House of Commons related to the provision of information technology.
2.3.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office is in the process of implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG2.2).
The Office received feedback for this area on the employee survey of the Office's progress and results can be found in section 4 (Feedback). The Office is on track to complete its accessibility goals related to this area by the end of 2025.
Accessibility Goals
1. Ensure that all the Office's online platforms are accessible for all users.
Status: in progress
Expected completion: continuous
Progress
We have agreements in place with our parliamentary partners, who have engaged accessibility experts, to build, develop, maintain, and renew all of our online platforms. The redesigned platforms will adopt, to the greatest extent possible, accessibility standards and best practices in effect at the time of development, redevelopment or renewal.
2. Identify and address accessibility gaps with the Office's website and update it to comply with the new WCAG2.2 criteria.
Status: in progress
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
The Office is in the process of redeveloping its website with parliamentary partners and will ensure that it conforms, to the greatest extent possible, with the new WCAG2.2 criteria.
3. Develop a plan to review all internal and external documents and forms for accessibility.
Status: in progress, delayed
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
An employee responsible for desktop publishing has completed training on how to make the Office's documents more accessible. A plan will be developed to help identify and ensure that internal and external documents and forms are as accessible as possible.
4. Plan for a review of all software applications developed in-house or acquired from third parties in order to identify and remove any potential accessibility barriers and to determine how they interact with adaptive technology.
Status: in progress
Expected completion: 2025
Progress
As described in the first goal, systems and applications are being redeveloped with parliamentary partners, who engaged accessibility experts, to ensure that accessibility standards and practices will be adopted.
2.4 Communication, Other Than ICT
2.4.1 Overview
This priority area is about creating barrier-free spaces where everyone can communicate, share, and access information. Accessible communication can involve clear, direct, and plain language. Information can also be offered in different formats to enhance accessibility.
The Office communicates with regulatees, the media and members of the public whether by phone, email, post, fax, through publication of reports, guidelines, and information notices, as well as in person, through presentations or through direct messages on social media.
The Office has developed procedures and processes to ensure that it provides accurate, timely and useful information to the individuals and groups seeking information.
2.4.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office has developed and implemented accessibility guidelines around its communications, with a strong focus on plain language.
The Office received feedback for this area on the employee survey of the Office's progress and results can be found in section 4 (Feedback). The Office is on track to complete its accessibility goals related to this area by the end of 2025.
Accessibility Goals
1. Develop and implement plain language guidelines for the Office's publications and communications.
Status: in progress
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
In the past year, the Office's Internal Communications Working Group organized a series of plain language educational sessions to help employees communicate more clearly among themselves and with outside audiences. This working group also launched a plain language audit to review the Office's communication products and ensure they meet plain language principles. Finally, the Office's Style Guide was also updated in both official languages to include guidelines on plain language to help employees communicate in a way that allows people to access, understand, and use the information the Office shares. The plain language guidelines will be applied going forward.
2. Develop and implement accessibility guidelines for its communications (including presentations, publications and images).
Status: in progress
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
The Office has adopted the Government of Canada's Guidelines on Making Communications Products and Activities Accessible as well as the Directive on the Management of Communications in the designing and development of its communications products. This includes using plain language, applying clear and consistent layouts, designing and formatting PDF and Word documents to be accessible, writing alternative text for informative and decorative visuals, among other considerations.
2.5 Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities
2.5.1 Overview
This priority area is about making accessibility an important component of the procurement process and about ensuring that the Office purchases accessible goods, services, and facilities.
Procurement refers to the acquisition of goods and services by any means, including purchase, rental, lease, or conditional sale.
For the Office, procurement is done in accordance with the Office's Directive on the Procurement of Goods and Services, Policy on the Delegation of Financial Signing Authorities, and the Directive on Acquisition Cards.
The current procurement directive mentions an objective of enhancing access and includes a requirement for following ethical practices.
As set out in its financial reports, the Office enters into transactions with other government and parliamentary entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. For example, the Office has agreements with the House of Commons related to the provision of information technology and security services, and the Public Services and Procurement Canada related to the provision of compensation services.
2.5.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office has reviewed its procedures related to procurement of goods, services offered, and facilities being used with accessibility goals in mind.
The Office received some feedback on its accessibility goals related to procurement of goods, services, and facilities and is on track to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025.
Accessibility Goals
1. Review the current procurement directive and related policies to incorporate accessibility considerations.
Status: in progress, delayed
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
Further to a review, this goal requires more time to complete.
2. Review the inventory of current goods and services and enquire about the accessibility practices and services of current suppliers.
Status: completed
Progress
The Office has reached out to a number of suppliers to enquire about their accessibility practices and services. It was communicated by suppliers that accessible services are available as necessary.
2.6 Design and Delivery of Programs and Services
2.6.1 Overview
This priority area is about ensuring that everyone can receive and access the services and programs delivered by the Office. The key programs and services delivered by the Office involve:
reporting to the Prime Minister and to Parliament;helping regulatees achieve and maintain compliance with the conflict of interest regimes;giving regulatees confidential guidance tailored to their individual situations;helping regulatees understand their obligations under the regimes through education and outreach;applying investigations and other enforcement provisions as appropriate;exchanging information with domestic and international counterparts;providing programs and services to employees.
2.6.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office received no feedback about barriers related to design and delivery of programs and services and is on track to complete the following accessibility goal by the end of 2025.
Accessibility Goal
1. Provide employees with appropriate tools and training to make accessibility a key consideration in all future programs and services.
Status: completed (continuous)
Progress
The Office provided accessibility training opportunities to employees and continues to look for more ways to incorporate the lessons learned in its delivery of programs and services.
2.7 Transportation
2.7.1 Overview
This priority area aims to create a barrier-free federal transportation network.
While the Office still does not provide transportation services, travel on behalf of the Office may from time-to-time form part of an employee's official duties. In this context, the Office has Guidelines on Travel that consider accessibility, as well as a Directive on Travel and Conference Expenditures, Guidelines for the Approval of Travel for the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, the National Joint Council Travel Directive, the Code of Values and Standards of Conduct for employees of the Office and other internal policies or directives related to financial management.
The primary place of work for the Office, 66 Slater Street, is located in downtown Ottawa. It is accessible by public transit and the building has underground public parking operated and managed by a third party and includes access to the building's elevators. Parking is also available at the National Arts Centre across the street from the building which is also accessible.
The Office has guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees.
As a result of its location, onloading and offloading from vehicles as well as passenger drop-off or pick-up can be challenging outside of the building.
2.7.2 Progress on Accessibility Goals
The Office has conducted a review and identified that more work is needed to incorporate accessibility considerations in its directives and guidelines relating to transportation.
The Office received no feedback on its accessibility goals related to transportation and is on track to complete its accessibility goals by 2025:
1. Review policies and guidelines related to employee travel to identify and remove any accessibility barriers to ensure that all employees travel safely regardless of disability.
Status: in progress, delayed
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
While the Office completed an initial review of its guidelines relating to transportation, namely the Guidelines on Travel; Directive on Travel and Conference Expenditures; Guidelines for the Approval of Travel for the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, a further review will be needed to address accessibility considerations.
2. Update guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees to include accessibility standards, including as to how parking spaces are attributed.
Status: in progress, delayed
Expected completion: 2024
Progress
The Office is reviewing its parking guidelines and is considering ways to incorporate accessibility measures.
3. Consultations
Since the publication of the Accessibility Plan last year, employees at all levels of the Office were consulted for the purposes of informing this progress report.
Through these consultations, each person was offered the opportunity to provide anonymized accessibility feedback through a survey in the areas described under section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act.
During the consultation with the employees, this group was asked:
to consult the accessibility goals set out in the plan to describe any barriers that they have encountered or observed at the Office;for any suggestions on how to remove barriers they identified;what they would prioritize in terms of barrier removal;what the Office was doing well in terms of accessibility.
The feedback from the survey informed this progress report. The feedback is summarized in the next section. Persons living with a disability are among those who provided feedback.
Consultations were also held with key partners in the parliamentary community.
Over the past year, the Office regularly participated in meetings on accessibility with representatives of other parliamentary precinct entities.
The purpose of these meetings was to share experiences, particularly in the drafting of the progress reports, share feedback on consultations with persons with disabilities who have had dealings with parliamentary entities and advocacy groups, and to share information to help align an approach to accessibility by parliamentary entities.
The information shared at this working group was greatly appreciated and was instrumental in the preparation of this progress report.
4. Feedback received
During the past year, the Office received only one request using the feedback process. The request related to obtaining a copy of the accessibility plan in a separate format. The Office promptly provided the plan as requested.
Because only one request was received, the Office will consider ways to improve awareness about its feedback process in the year ahead.
Through the employee survey of the Office's progress in terms of accessibility, the Office consulted with employees, including those identified as living with disabilities. The areas in which barriers were identified are the following:
Built Environment: seeing to acoustic/sound efficiency, ensuring scent-free environment, organizing and standardizing meeting room and offices until the Office moves to the 23rd floor.Employment: a return to an in-person or a hybrid work format may result in barriers on accessibility, this may be addressed through greater consultation.Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): improving usability of the Office website and streamlining text.Communication, Other than ICT: when information is being shared with employees, ensuring that it is done in an inclusive manner.Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities: ensuring that all necessary office supplies are provided and stored in an accessible way.
Overall employees felt like the Office was on track to meet its accessibility goals. They are interested in obtaining more training on accessibility.
The feedback we received confirms the importance of several initiatives already captured in the accessibility plan and the barriers that were identified will help pinpoint areas where further consultation would be beneficial.
Message from the Commissioner
I am proud to introduce the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's first accessibility plan. Recognizing that accessibility for all is a critical element of inclusion, the Office is taking action to eliminate barriers in its operations and service delivery in accordance with the Accessible Canada Act.
This law aims for the full and equal participation of all persons, especially persons with disabilities, in Canada. It recognizes that people are not disabled by their conditions, but instead by environments that are neither accessible, welcoming nor enabling.
The Office's three-year plan maps out how we will improve accessibility in the seven key areas identified in the Accessibility Canada Act: employment; the built environment; information and communication technologies; communication; the procurement of goods, services and facilities; the design and delivery of programs and services; and transportation. It reflects the Office's commitment to create an accessible work environment and a diverse and inclusive workforce, as established in our Code of Values.
As part of the Office's work towards identifying, preventing and eliminating accessibility barriers for our employees and stakeholders, we have held broad consultations to develop this plan. We welcome feedback at any time about accessibility at the Office to help us continue to identify, prevent and eliminate barriers and ensure use of best practices.
1. General
1.1. Overview
The Accessible Canada Act is a law that came into force in July 2019. Its aim is to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility and to make Canada barrier-free by January 1, 2040.
In accordance with this law, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (Office) must prepare and publish an accessibility plan showing how it identifies, will remove and prevent barriers. This version of the plan must be kept online for seven years after publication, and updated versions must be published every three years. Persons with disabilities must be consulted in the preparation of the accessibility plan and every updated version. The plan must describe the manner in which this consultation took place. The Office must provide alternate formats of this plan to people who request it.
This accessibility plan concerns the Office's policies, programs, practices, and services. It aims to identify and remove barriers, and to prevent new barriers from emerging in the areas described in section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act.
In approaching its responsibilities under the Accessible Canada Act and in the development of this plan, the Office embraced the guiding principle of “nothing without us." This means that people with disabilities are engaged and involved in the identification, prevention, and removal of barriers.
The Office also prepared this plan in accordance with the principles enumerated at section 6 of the law, that:
everyone must be treated with dignity;everyone must have the same opportunity to make for themselves the life they are able and wish to have;everyone must be able to participate fully and equally in society;everyone must have meaningful options and be free to make their own choices, with support if they desire;laws, policies, programs, services, and structures must take into account the ways that different kinds of barriers and discrimination intersect;persons with disabilities must be involved in the development and design of laws, policies, programs, services, and structures; andaccessibility standards and regulations must be made with the goal of achieving the highest level of accessibility.
1.2. Statement of Commitment
The Office is committed to meeting all of its obligations under the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations (the Accessible Canada Regulations). By establishing a working group on accessibility and by continuing to consult persons with disabilities, the Office is committed to the proactive identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility at the workplace and in all aspects of its communications and activities. Accessibility neither begins nor ends with this plan; it is an ongoing process. We strive to continuously improve accessibility in everything we do.
1.3. Contact Information and Feedback Process
The Office welcomes feedback, including feedback submitted anonymously, about accessibility at the Office and about this plan. We are committed to reviewing the feedback we receive in good faith and to taking steps to address, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility that are identified through this feedback.
Feedback about either accessibility at the Office or this plan may be submitted in the following way:
By contacting the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, using the information below:
Manager, Human Resources Client ServicesOffice of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics CommissionerParliament of CanadaOttawa, Ontario K1A 0A6AccessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca613-995-0721
By completing the online accessibility feedback survey. Alternate formats of the survey can be requested by contacting accessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca or 613-995-0721.
The Office must keep the most recent version of the description of its feedback process for seven years after it is published or until a new description is published.
The Office will acknowledge the feedback it received in the same way that it was sent to it, unless it was sent by an anonymous source. The Office will review all feedback received and take steps to address barriers to accessibility that are identified. A copy of any feedback received must be kept for seven years.
Alternative formats of this plan and/or a description of the feedback process, can be requested by contacting accessibleCIE@cie.parl.gc.ca or 613-995-0721.
In accordance with the regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 15 days of the initial request:
PrintLarge print (increased font size)
In accordance with the regulations, the Office will provide the following alternative formats within 45 days of the initial request:
Braille (a system of raised dots that people who are blind or who have low vision can read with their fingers)Audio (a recording of someone reading the text aloud)
1.4. Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this plan:
Barrier: Anything that might hinder the full and equal participation in society by people with disabilities. Barriers can be physical, architectural, technological, attitudinal, based on information or communications, or the result of a policy or procedure.
Disability: Any impairment or difference in physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, sensory, or communication abilities that, when interacting with a barrier, hinders a person's full and equal participation in society. Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or change over time, and they may or may not be evident.
1.5. About the Commissioner and the Office
The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner administers the Conflict of Interest Act, a law that applies to public office holders and the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons, a code of conduct that applies to Members of Parliament that forms part of the rules of the House of Commons. These two regimes seek to prevent conflicts between private interests and the public duties of appointed and elected officials. The Commissioner also provides confidential advice to the Prime Minister about conflict of interest and ethics issues.
The position of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner was created following the adoption of the Federal Accountability Act in 2006. The Commissioner is an Officer of the House of Commons whose mandate is set out in the Parliament of Canada Act.
The Commissioner is completely independent of the government of the day and the Office is part of the parliamentary infrastructure.
The Commissioner is supported by an Office of approximately 50 employees who occupy positions related to compliance, investigations, legal services, communications, and corporate management.
1.6. Compliance with future standards
Accessibility Standards Canada is responsible for the development of accessibility standards for removing barriers to access faced by people with disabilities. These standards fall within the priority areas listed in the Accessible Canada Act.
This organization developed a document called Roadmap to 2040 – A plan to guide the work of Accessibility Standards Canada as a guide for its work.
At the time of the preparation of this plan, the Office is not aware of any standards that were completed or published.
As standards are completed by Accessibility Standards Canada and made publicly available on their website, the Office will review them as they are released and will adjust its plan to ensure that these standards are implemented.
1.7. Accessibility goals and the Accessibility Working Group
The aim of the Office is to complete the accessibility goals for each priority area described in Part 2 of this accessibility plan by the end of the year 2025.
To achieve the accessibility goals and to implement the plan, the Office created an accessibility working group chaired by the Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, and comprised of employees from the various divisions of the Office.
This working group will work closely with the Commissioner, the Senior Management Committee and the relevant directors of each division of the Office. In this way, timely approvals for the changes that will be necessary to give effect to the accessibility plan can be implemented within the deadline.
The working group will also:
monitor plan progress;work with the Office's Manager, Human Resources Client Services, Corporate Management, to receive, acknowledge and review feedback on accessibility;prepare the progress reports and update the accessibility plan; andconsult persons with disabilities.
2. Areas Described Under Section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act (ACA)
2.1. Employment
2.1.1. Overview
This priority area is about the importance of ensuring access to employment opportunities and an accessible workplace.
The Office is a separate employer whose employees are not part of the federal public administration.
The Office has its own terms and conditions of employment, relating to hours of work, employee benefits and general working conditions affecting employees. Employees are not covered under any collective agreement. The Office has a Joint Labour Relations Committee, consisting of management and employee representatives to ensure that any new or revised policy, directive and guideline related to human resources management is developed in consultation with all employees of the Office.
The Office is committed to employment equity and having a diverse and inclusive workforce. The Office's staffing processes and appointments are based on merit and are free from political influence.
All employees of the Office are expected to follow the values set out in its Code of Values and Standards of Conduct which reflect its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Office has adopted employment-related policies, in areas such as telework, occupational health and safety, procedures for emergency response, employee recognition, employee discipline, disability management and duty to accommodate, interchange Canada assignments, job shadowing, performance management, staffing procedures, training, termination and demotion, as well as on equity diversity and inclusion.
The Office reviews and updates its policies and guidelines in line with those of other parliamentary entities and the wider public service.
2.1.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultations, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of employment could include, but were not limited to, those encountered during staffing processes, onboarding, promotion and/or career progression, or during workplace accommodation.
No barriers were identified in this area during consultation.
2.1.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will consider adopting a systematic review of its employment practices, procedures and policies for accessibility.
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025.
Review staffing tools, approaches, and policies to ensure that any barriers are identified and removed so as to make employment with the Office accessible and inclusive.Review the Office's Guideline on Disability Management and Duty to Accommodate.Continuously support the employee network groups, including the promotion of disability groups on the parliamentary Hill.Provide access to training sessions for employees at all levels on accessibility, barriers, unconscious bias and accommodation requests and processes so they can build expertise.
2.2. The Built Environment
2.2.1. Overview
This priority area is about the accessibility of the built environment which has a significant impact on whether people with disabilities can move freely, access and function within a space in a manner equitable with those who do not have disabilities.
The primary location in which the Office conducts most of its activities is in downtown Ottawa at 66 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario on the 21st and 22nd floors. As a result of the pandemic and a new Telework Policy, employees of the Office may work from an approved alternate location.
Employees must sometimes access other buildings and office spaces throughout the National Capital Region (NCR).
At its primary location of work, the Office's lobby on the 22nd floor is accessed by using the building's elevators. There are also stairs that can be used from the building's ground floor to access the elevator lobbies of both the 21st and 22nd floors. Outside of the lobby, access to the office space requires use of a security card.
There are washrooms, including accessible washrooms, on both the 21st and 22nd floors.
There are automatic doors located in some of the common areas such as washrooms and main entrances.
The Office has also established and published Procedures for Emergency Response.
2.2.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultations, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of the built environment could include, but were not limited to, physical or architectural barriers such as stairs, steps, curbs, doors that are too heavy or too narrow or that do not open in a certain direction or fully or automatically, lack of accessible bathroom stalls, inadequate lighting, poor acoustics, and no rest areas (benches).
The feedback the Office received from consultation raised concerns in the following areas:
Parts of the washrooms located on the 22nd floor, including the entrances, were identified as too narrow.Washroom and stall doors were identified as creating issues as a result of the direction in which they open.Some doors in the office space do not open automatically.The signs in the office do not include braille.There is a lack of sensory control over the in-office environment.It was noted that the Office's hallways at 66 Slater Street were narrow and might not accommodate a person with a disability.
2.2.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025.
Ensure that the Office's planned change to its physical office space in the coming years will be in line with accessibility requirements, including by working with Public Services and Procurement Canada to prioritize taking steps that are necessary to correct and eliminate barriers.Ensure that its office space will include signage standards meeting accessibility requirements and best practices, and develop plans to ensure a periodic review of its signs to correct and eliminate barriers.Review and revisit accessibility as it relates to its built environment, including by making use of the accessibility feedback process, to ensure that new barriers have not been created and that existing accessibility features have been maintained.Review its emergency procedures to incorporate information about emergency procedures for people with disabilities. The Office will also look at providing relevant training in this area to ensure that employees are aware of the emergency plans and who is responsible for assisting employees or visitors both inside our buildings and in the immediate surrounding area in case of an emergency.
2.3. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
2.3.1. Overview
This priority area is about offering accessible digital content and technologies.
Information and communication technologies are used to deliver and access information, perform activities, and provide services. They can include, but are not limited to, hardware, software, video or voice communication tools, and other digital content.
In support of public education about the regimes that it administers, the Office makes a range of digital information available on its website (HTML and PDF) and is active on social media (Twitter: @EthicsCanada).
The Office also has a non-public facing website used by its employees, an intranet site based on the SharePoint platform.
The Office is presently developing a new electronic system named “Nethik" to give regulatees—appointed and elected persons who must comply with the regimes administered by the Office—a fully secure, fast and easy way to submit required information to the Office. This system will also enhance the public registry of information that is made available by the Office to the public about certain private interests, gifts or travel of regulatees.
The Office, including its employees, also use email, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), and software, such as MS Teams, to communicate and share information.
The Office has contractual agreements and works with the House of Commons related to the provision of information technology.
2.3.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultation, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of information and communication technologies could include, but were not limited to, electronic documents without accessibility features or alternative text, incompatibilities with screen readers or other assistive devices, and fonts or colour contrasts on web-based applications or in emails that create difficulties accessing the content.
The following feedback was received:
Virtual meetings, and the tools used to conduct it, was identified as a barrier for communication and lacked features to enable accessibility.It was noted that it is difficult to sometimes hear and lip read over video feeds.Content shared during virtual meetings or presentations often appears in too small a font size or is otherwise difficult to read.Some office electronic tools were identified as creating barriers, such as the use of tablets with small screen sizes.Accessing information from the Office's databases or website requires many clicks.The website was difficult to navigate and it was too hard to locate the information one may be looking for.Font displays and font colours on the Office's website and electronic tools create barriers for reading and accessing the content.Some identified cognitive barriers as being important to consider in this area.Some identified that HTML should be used by default as it interacts well with readers and other “out-loud" technologies.
2.3.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025:
Ensure that all the Office's online platforms are accessible for all users.Identify and address accessibility gaps with the Office's website and update it to comply with the new WCAG2.2 criteria.Develop a plan to review all internal and external documents and forms for accessibility.Plan for a review of all software applications developed in-house or acquired from third parties in order to identify and remove any potential accessibility barriers and to determine how they interact with adaptive technology.
2.4. Communication, Other Than ICT
2.4.1. Overview
This priority area is about creating barrier-free spaces where everyone can communicate, share and access information. Accessible communication can involve clear, direct and plain language. Information can also be offered in different formats to enhance accessibility.
The Office communicates with regulatees, the media and members of the public whether by phone, email, post, fax, through publication of reports, guidelines and information notices, as well as in person, through presentations or through direct messages on Twitter.
The Office has developed procedures and processes to ensure that it provides accurate, timely and useful information to the individuals and groups seeking information.
2.4.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultation, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of communication (other than ICT) could include, but were not limited to, font or print that is too small or hard to read, no alternative access to the content of graphs or charts, lack of use of plain language, instructions that are confusing or complicated, presentations that are not fully accessible, seating arrangements that exclude people from participating fully in the communication process.
The feedback the Office received in this area included that:
It is difficult to understand the rules and the definitions used and referred to by the Office.Information should be easier to understand, in plain language and in point form.
2.4.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025.
Develop and implement plain language guidelines for the Office's publications and communications.Develop and implement accessibility guidelines for its communications (including presentations, publications and images).
2.5. Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities
2.5.1. Overview
This priority area is about making accessibility an important component of the procurement process and about ensuring that the Office purchases accessible goods, services and facilities.
Procurement refers to the acquisition of goods and services by any means, including purchase, rental, lease or conditional sale.
For the Office, procurement is done in accordance with the Office's Directive on the Procurement of Goods and Services, Policy on the Delegation of Financial Signing Authorities, Directive on Acquisition Cards, and the Directive on Petty Cash.
The current procurement directive mentions an objective of enhancing access and includes a requirement for following ethical practices.
As set out in its financial reports, the Office enters into transactions with other government and parliamentary entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms. For example, the Office has agreements with the House of Commons related to the provision of information technology and security services, and the Public Services and Procurement Canada related to the provision of compensation services.
2.5.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultation, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of procurement of goods, services, and facilities could include, but were not limited to whether a good or service can be used by persons in different positions (seated, standing), with different levels of strength or range of body movement, with hearing or vision loss; whether support materials, such as manuals, are accessible in other formats; whether products can be customized or work with other accessible technologies; whether the organization providing the good or service provide accessible customer support; whether there are accessibility requirement clauses set out in contracts or Office policies concerning contracting.
There was no feedback received in respect of the Office's procurement.
2.5.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025.
Review the current procurement directive and related policies to incorporate accessibility considerations.Review the inventory of current goods and services and enquire about the accessibility practices and services of current suppliers.
2.6. Design and Delivery of Programs and Services
2.6.1. Overview
This priority area is about ensuring that everyone can receive and access the services and programs delivered by the Office. The key programs and services delivered by the Office involve:
reporting to the Prime Minister and to Parliament;helping regulatees achieve and maintain compliance with the conflict of interest regimes;giving regulatees confidential guidance tailored to their individual situations;helping regulatees understand their obligations under the regimes through education and outreach;applying investigations and other enforcement provisions as appropriate;exchanging information with domestic and international counterparts;providing programs and services to employees.
2.6.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultations the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of design and delivery of programs and services could include, but were not limited to a lack of diverse channels for delivering services (e.g., over the phone, in-person, email, reports).
The Office received no feedback in this area.
2.6.3. Accessibility Goals
The Office will aim to complete this accessibility goal by the end of 2025.
Provide employees with appropriate tools and training to make accessibility a key consideration in all future programs and services.
2.7. Transportation
2.7.1. Overview
This priority area aims to create a barrier-free federal transportation network.
While the Office does not provide transportation services, travel on behalf of the Office may from time-to-time form part of an employee's official duties. In this context, the Office has Guidelines on Travel, a Directive on Travel and Conference Expenditures, Guidelines for the Approval of Travel for the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, the National Joint Council Travel Directive, the Code of Values and Standards of Conduct for employees of the Office and other internal policies or directives related to financial management.
The primary place of work for the Office, 66 Slater Street, is located in downtown Ottawa. It is accessible by public transit and the building has underground public parking operated and managed by a third party and includes access to the building's elevators. Parking is also available at the National Arts Centre across the street from the building.
The Office has guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees.
As a result of its location, offloading and onloading from vehicles as well as vehicle passenger drop-off or pick-up can be challenging outside of the building.
2.7.2. Feedback
When carrying out its consultations, the Office was mindful that barriers that may arise in the context of transportation could include, but were not limited to those that result from long work-related travel distances, adverse policies affecting travel, lack of accessible seating, alternative service options, lack of or confusing signs and directions.
The Office received no feedback in this area.
2.7.3. Accessibility Goals
Review policies and guidelines related to employee travel to identify and remove any accessibility barriers to ensure that all employees travel safely regardless of disability.Update guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees to include accessibility standards, including as to how parking spaces are attributed.
3. Consultations
Employees at all levels of the Office and stakeholders, including the general public, were consulted for the purposes of informing this accessibility plan.
Through these consultations, each person was offered the opportunity to provide anonymized accessibility feedback through a survey in the areas described under section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act. They were also provided with an alternative method for contacting the Office with questions or comments about accessibility.
3.1. Employees
During the consultation with the employees, this group was asked:
to describe any barriers that they have encountered or observed at the Office. They were asked if the barrier was physical, and if so, where it was located.if the barrier was technology-related, and if so, how it occurred.for any suggestions on how to remove barriers they identified.what they would prioritize in terms of barrier removal.about what the Office was doing well in terms of accessibility.to provide the name of any entity or organization that they felt could help the Office improve accessibility.
There was a 35% feedback response rate from the employees of the Office. This feedback informed the plan and the accessibility goals. Of those who responded, approximately 20% identified as persons living with a disability and/or a person needing an accommodation.
3.2. Stakeholders
From September 7 until October 2, 2022, the Office requested that each employee include as part of their electronic signature the following information to solicit feedback from the Office's stakeholders, including the general public:
“The Office is conducting an optional accessibility survey until October 2, 2022. We welcome your input as we aim to remove barriers to a person's ability to receive appropriate and timely services from the Office. The accessibility survey is located on our website at this link."
« Le Commissariat mène un sondage facultatif sur l'accessibilité jusqu'au 2 octobre 2022. Nous accueillons vos commentaires puisque nous visons à éliminer les obstacles qui empêchent les gens de recevoir des services appropriés et en temps opportun de la part du Commissariat. Le sondage sur l'accessibilité est situé sur notre site Web à ce lien. »
In this survey, the Office continued to ask about the areas described in section 5 of the Accessible Canada Act, with particular attention to whether any barriers were faced or observed:
at 66 Slater Street, the Office's primary location of work;concerning the digital presence of the Office;concerning dealings/communications with the Office;
The stakeholders were asked about areas where the Office may not be doing so well accessibility-wise and about what the Office might be doing well accessibility-wise.
As a result of this consultation, the Office received six responses. Five identified as being from the general public and one as an employee of a Member of Parliament. Four of the six respondents identified as a person with a disability.
3.3. Parliamentary Precinct Working Group
Over the past year, the Office regularly participated in bi-weekly meetings on accessibility with representatives of other parliamentary precinct entities.
The purpose of these meetings was to share experiences, share feedback on consultations with persons with disabilities who have had dealings with parliamentary entities and advocacy groups, and to share information to help align an approach to accessibility by parliamentary entities.
The information shared at this working group was greatly appreciated and was instrumental in the preparation of this plan.
3.4. Groups representing persons with disabilities
In the preparation of this plan, the Office also reached out directly to groups representing persons with disabilities, by making use of the list available on the People Access – Making accessibility easier webpage.
At the time of publication of this plan, the Office did not yet receive feedback from the groups it had approached for consultation. However, many of these groups were also approached by other parliamentary entities and the representatives of these entities gave permission to the Office during a parliamentary precinct working group session to refer to the general feedback they received because of these consultations. The feedback they shared was considered in the preparation of the accessibility goals set out in this plan.
4. Summary of Goals – 2023-2025
In summary, the Office will aim to complete these accessibility goals by the end of 2025.
Priority Area
Accessibility Goal
Objectives
Long term (2023-2025)Medium term (2023-2024)Short term (2023)
2.1.3. Employment
1) Review staffing tools, approaches, and policies to ensure that any barriers are identified and removed so as to make employment with the Office accessible and inclusive.
Long term
2) Review the Guideline on Disability Management and Duty to Accommodate.
Medium term
3) Continuously support the employee network groups, including the promotion of disability groups on the parliamentary Hill.
Short term
4) Provide access to training sessions for employees at all levels, as per the Guidelines on Learning, Training and Development, on accessibility, barriers, unconscious bias and accommodation requests and processes so they can build expertise.
Short term
2.2.3. Built Environment
1) Ensure that the Office’s planned change to its physical office space in the coming years will be in line with accessibility requirements, including by working with Public Services and Procurement Canada to prioritize taking steps that are necessary to correct and eliminate barriers.
Short term
2) Ensure that its office space will include signage standards meeting accessibility requirements and best practices, and develop plans to ensure a periodic review of its signs to correct and eliminate barriers.
Medium term
3) Review and revisit accessibility as it relates to its built environment, including by making use of the accessibility feedback process, to ensure that new barriers have not been created and that existing accessibility features have been maintained.
Long term
4) Review its emergency procedures to incorporate information about emergency procedures for people with disabilities. The Office will also look at providing relevant training in this area to ensure that employees are aware of the emergency plans and who is responsible for assisting employees or visitors both inside our buildings and in the immediate surrounding area in case of an emergency.
Short term
2.3.3. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
1) Ensure that all the Office’s online platforms are accessible for all users.
Medium term
2) Identify and address accessibility gaps with the Office’s website and update it to comply with the new WCAG2.2 criteria.
Medium term
3) Develop a plan to review all internal and external documents and forms for accessibility.
Short term
4) Plan for a review of all software applications developed in-house or acquired from third parties in order to identify and remove any potential accessibility barriers and to determine how they interact with adaptive technology.
Long term
2.4.3. Communication, Other Than ICT
1) Develop and implement plain language guidelines for the Office’s publications and communications.
Medium term
2) Develop and implement accessibility guidelines for its communications (including presentations, publications and images).
Medium term
2.5.3. Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities
1) Review the current procurement directive and related policies to incorporate accessibility considerations.
Short term
2) Review the inventory of current goods and services and enquire about the accessibility practices and services of current suppliers.
Medium term
2.6.3. Design and Delivery of Programs and Services
1) Provide employees with appropriate tools and training to make accessibility a key consideration in all future programs and services.
Short term
2.7.3. Transportation
1) Review policies and guidelines related to employee travel to identify and remove any accessibility barriers to ensure that all employees travel safely regardless of disability.
Short term
2) Update guidelines on parking and the use of parking passes by employees to include accessibility standards, including as to how parking spaces are attributed.
Short term