Schulich ExecEd & IPAC 2025: Renewing Our Commitment to Ethical Leadership

Schulich ExecEd and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) are proud to renew our partnership in 2025 with the continuation of the Integrity First: Values and Ethics for a Modern Public Service program. After a highly successful launch last year, which saw over 200 public servants from various levels of government upskilled, the program is returning with expanded offerings. This includes a focused effort on the municipal sector and a full French-language delivery to better serve Canada’s diverse francophone communities. 

We are excited to announce the launch of our third cohort on May 27th, 2025 (English Delivery), followed by a Francophone delivery of the program on June 10th, 2025. A fifth session will also take place in November 2025 (English Delivery), continuing our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality ethics training for public servants across Canada. 

Navigating Today’s Public Sector Challenges 

In today’s rapidly evolving political and social landscape, public servants across Canada face an array of challenges and uncertainties. From shifting policy landscapes to evolving societal expectations, public servants must navigate complex issues that can change not only daily but even hourly. Given these dynamics, Schulich ExecEd and IPAC recognize that the need for strong ethical leadership is more important than ever. Public servants are called upon to lead by example, making decisions that inspire trust, foster integrity, and meet the diverse needs of Canadian citizens. 

This program is designed to provide public servants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate ethical dilemmas and lead with confidence.  

 Mastering Ethics in Modern Public Service 

The Integrity First program focuses on three core themes that are critical to today’s public service environment: 

• Values and Ethical Foundations: Understanding the ethical principles that guide public service in Canada. 
• Ethical Decision-Making: Tools and strategies for making sound, ethical decisions in uncertainty. 
• Protections and Responsibilities: Ensuring compliance with legal frameworks, including public accountability and transparency requirements. 

Graduates will gain the practical knowledge and skills to handle ethical dilemmas, ensuring they can protect themselves, their colleagues, and their organizations in challenging situations.  

A Commitment to Canadian Public Service Excellence 

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive digital credentials from both IPAC and Schulich ExecEd, demonstrating their commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in the public sector. These credentials serve as a prestigious recognition of their leadership capabilities, particularly in an age where micro-credentials and digital certifications are increasingly valued by employers and peers.  

By offering this program in both official languages, we are ensuring that Canada’s diverse workforce of public servants, from coast to coast, has access to the critical tools and insights they need to lead with integrity. 

To learn more or to enroll in the program, visit http://www.ipac.ca/integrityfirst (English session) or https://ipac.ca/integrityfirst-fr (French session). 

For more about our partnership in 2024, read here: Schulich ExecEd and IPAC 2024