Edith Bramwell, legal counsel for the Public Service Alliance of Canada, was recently interviewed by CBC Radio’s Carol Off. During the show, Bramwell spoke about a recent letter that Parks Canada sent to their employees about their duty of loyalty, calling it “something in the nature of a gag order.”
The letter, sent late last month, asks Parks Canada employees to refrain from public criticisms of the Government of Canada.
Bramwell says the letter gives the impression that any criticism of the government would violate the duty of loyalty. “That is a gross restraint on people’s political rights and their rights to freedom of expression,” she added.
The same sentiments were echoed by Eddie Kennedy, National Executive Vice-President of the UNE, in a recent interview with the CBC:
“If you’re in a coffee shop and you’re criticizing the Harper government and there’s someone sitting beside you and they know you work for a government department, technically you’re in violation of the code of ethics.”
Bramwell added that, given the current job cuts, some employees may fear that they could lose their job for speaking out. “That’s simply not appropriate. That’s simply not what the duty of loyalty is meant to say.”
The PSAC is currently working on a guide for members on the code of ethics and their right to speak out. We’ll let you know the minute it comes out! In the meantime, if you’re asked to take part in a media interview, please contact the UNE’s communications officer or your assigned labour relations officer.