Thinking about a side-job? Prepare a Confidential Report first!

February 26, 2024 – Defence Stories

Are you thinking about taking on a side-job while working with the Defence Team? Or maybe opening that small business you have always dreamed about?

Pause for a second.

Have you considered whether there may be a potential or perceived conflict of interest (COI) with your Defence Team duties? Do you have your Confidential Report ready to complete and send to the Assistant Deputy Minister (Review Services) (ADM(RS)) COI Section well before you start your new work?

In this digital age, it is common for people to find opportunities in their off-hours to pursue outside work, paid or unpaid. A Confidential Report is a type of proactive disclosure and the decisive step in helping make sure that you, a Defence Team member, have taken all possible steps to recognize, prevent, report, and resolve any real, apparent, or potential COI between your official responsibilities and your private affairs.

Even if you are volunteering in a position of responsibility, such as a board trustee or spokesperson, disclosing your new position is required, promotes transparency, and is always better than attempting to manage the situation by yourself. Being unaware of a real, apparent, or potential COI is no excuse and can result in serious consequences for you and for the Defence Team as an institution.

To ensure that the ADM(RS) COI Section can help you in a timely manner, please send any questions or your Confidential Report well in advance of your new undertaking to COIDEP-CIPED@forces.gc.ca.

For more information, guidance, and resources, please visit the Conflict of Interest – Canada.ca website.