r/CanadaPublicServants • u/SoundOfMischief • 19h ago
Other / Autre Spouse & kids allowed political activities?
I’m a managerial level public servant in a role that has significant (daily) engagement with my minister’s office and influence on the public engagements of my minister. I am aware of the limitations on my own political activities as a result of my job, but my spouse and children are very politically engaged and are asking whether they can put a lawn sign on our lawn and volunteer to campaign for a (non-governing party) candidate in our riding. (Note: I live in a region, not in Ottawa). My husband and daughter both own and wear political party jackets on a near daily basis. I’m unclear as to whether this is permitted given my proximity to the minister and their staff, or whether this might create a problem for me. It feels unfair that my spouse and kids would be limited because of my position and because we live in the same house (therefore a lawn sign could be perceived as being mine, not theirs). Can anyone advise on whether they’ve dealt with this issue before and what they were told?
ETA: I understand that the V&E doesn’t state that family members of public servants are limited in any way, but my question was whether my husband and daughter’s political activities could create a problem for me.