StatsCan disciplines dozens for misconduct, theft, workplace breaches

Statistics Canada has fired 15 employees and disciplined 50 others for misconduct, including theft, harassment, and security violations.

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Statistics Canada has fired 15 employees and disciplined 50 others for misconduct, including theft, harassment, and security violations. The crackdown follows the agency’s first-ever Report on Misconduct and Wrongdoing.

The report, which covers the 2024-25 fiscal year, also led to seven additional misconduct investigations that are currently underway.

Those involved could face further disciplinary measures such as termination, oral or written reprimands, and 30-day suspensions.

“During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Labour Relations performed administrative investigations on 89 allegations of misconduct. Of those, 72 were founded,” reads the report.

“The top issues identified at Statistics Canada were failure to protect and manage public funds, failure to comply with the Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace, and failure to comply with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and the Statistics Canada Code of Conduct.”

Ottawa first ordered federal departments and agencies to begin creating annual reports on misconduct and wrongdoing last year.

While not all departments have completed their filings, employee terminations or discipline for misconduct have already been observed at Global Affairs Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

At Statistics Canada, there were 21 harassment complaints last year alone, nine of which were related to discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

There were also two security violations, seven privacy breaches and 18 investigations into the improper use of public funds, including false travel claims and time theft.

Additionally, more than $10,000 in stolen government property was tallied, including missing cellphones, computers, tablets, laptops, monitors and docking stations.