Table of Contents

  • Alphabetical Listing
  • Introduction
  • Attendance
  • Benefits
  • Classification
  • Definitions
  • Employee and     Labour Relations
  • General Employee     Information
  • Human Resources      Contact Numbers
  • Leave
  • Occupational Health     and Safety
  • Pay
  • Staffing
  • Travel
  • Workforce     Development

Political Activity

Policy Statement

The requirement for an impartial and effective public service makes it necessary for Government to restrict some public servants from running for political office while in receipt of wages from Government.

Application

This policy applies to all employees. Bargaining unit employees should also consult their respective collective agreements.

Definitions

Responsibilities

Department

It is the responsibility of individual departments to ensure that no employee:

• is compelled, by someone representing the employer, to take part in any political undertaking;
• is compelled to make any contribution to any political party; or
• is in any manner threatened or discriminated against in the workplace for refusing to take part in any political activity.

Employee

It is the responsibility of  employees who choose to participate in a political activity to ensure that:

• they do not directly or indirectly use or seek to use the authority or official influence of their positions to control or modify the political actions of any other persons; and
• they do not engage in any form of political activity during work hours; and
• their participation in a political activity does not impair their usefulness in the positions in which they are employed.

Political Activities

All employees have the right to vote in any election, attend public political meetings and make contributions to the party(s) of their choice.

With the exception of individuals paid on the Executive Compensation Plan, all employees may, with the written consent of their Minister, participate in municipal elections and hold municipal office.

Politically Non-Restricted Employees

Politically non-restricted employees, who wish to announce their intention to campaign for nomination as candidates or run as candidates in a provincial or federal election, must apply to their Deputy Minister for a period of leave without pay.

This period of leave without pay will not be considered a break in service, but it will not count as service.

This period of leave without pay must start, at the latest, the date on which the nomination is sought (usually the nomination meeting) and end no later than the date on which the nomination or election results are finalized.

Employees who withdraw as nominees or candidates may resume their positions at a date agreed to by their Deputy Minister.

Successful candidates in an election must resign their positions effective the date that the election results are finalized.

Politically Restricted Employees

Politically restricted employees who wish to campaign for nomination, run for elected office in provincial/federal elections or engage in partisan political activities, other than those related to a municipal election, will be required to resign effective the date they announce their intention to engage in such activities.

Employees who resign their positions but fail to gain nomination or be elected and those for whom partisan political activities have ended, may subsequently apply to the Chair of the Public Service Commission for reinstatement to their former positions.

The Public Service Commission may recommend to the employer (or in the case of permanent employees exempted under Section 5 of the Public Service Commission Act, to the Premier) that they be re-appointed to their positions. In order to facilitate this process, their former positions will not be advertised on a permanent basis until the election results are finalized.

Where employees are reappointed the period of absence will not be considered a break in service but it will not count as service.

Political Support Staff

Political support staff who wish to announce their intention to campaign for nomination as candidates or run as candidates in a provincial/ federal election must notify their Minister of their intention and proceed on leave without pay.

This period of leave without pay will not be considered break in service but it will not count as service.

The period of leave without pay must start, at the latest, the date on which the nomination is sought (usually the nomination meeting) and end no later than the date on which the nomination or election results are finalized.

Political Support Staff who withdraw as nominees or candidates may resume their positions at a date agreed to by their Minister.

Successful candidates in an election must resign their positions effective the date that the election results are finalized.

Last Updated: March 15, 2000
Reference: TBM 2000-070