Schulich ExecEd and Institute of Public Administration of Canada Join Forces to Empower Public Servants and Foster Ethical Leadership

Schulich ExecEd is proud to announce a new partnership with the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) in launching their joint Integrity First: Values and Ethics for a Modern Public Service program. The first cohort launches on May 30, 2024, with the next following November 28, 2024.

Throughout their working lives, public servants will confront many challenging ethical scenarios where an appropriate ethical path is not abundantly clear. Guided by organizational rules and values, some situations are easy to navigate. Others, however, are much more challenging and could potentially impact their ability to maintain public trust. Together with the Schulich ExecEd, IPAC has developed a training program focusing on key aspects of values and ethics in public service, with a special emphasis on the development and maintenance of high ethical standards amid rapid change at all levels of government in Canada.

“Our partnership with Schulich ExecEd represents a significant commitment to fostering ethical leadership and excellence in public service. Together, we aim to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of modern governance with integrity” states David Fulford, CEO of IPAC. Through this course, public servants will gain valuable information to protect themselves and others from challenging ethical scenarios and communicate to their employers and stakeholders that they are certified through IPAC and Schulich ExecEd to uphold the highest ethical standards in their professional lives.

Current Ethical Dilemmas in the Public Service Sector

With mainstream media so often reporting on ethical breaches in the sector, there is a need for integrity, transparency, and accountability in decision-making processes, particularly in the public service sector.  As a former public servant, instructor and Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University; Zachery Spicer merges years of sector experience and academia through the development of this program;

“The nature of work in the public service is rapidly changing, introducing new ethical dilemmas and challenges. It’s no wonder that senior leaders are actively exploring existing values and ethics codes to ensure the public service is prepared for new challenges. Individual public servants need to also prepare themselves and ensure they can keep themselves and their teams safe from ethical dilemmas and challenges,” says Zachery Spicer, Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University.

Program Content

Accordingly, this joint program touches on three key themes: values and ethical foundations for public servants, ethical decision-making, and protections and responsibilities. This way, graduates will gain the information necessary to protect themselves and others from challenging ethical scenarios.

Completion of the program means gaining digital credentials through IPAC and Schulich ExecEd, proof in this age of micro-credentialing and digital certifications that graduates have the capability and prestigious background to uphold the highest ethical standards in the sector.

Schulich ExecEd & IPAC

Schulich ExecEd brings its public sector experience to the partnership having graduated over 2,000 public sector leaders from across Ontario and Canada. Alongside their flagship Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership program, Schulich ExecEd has created custom programming for public sector clients across the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, including the Office of the Prime Minister; Department of National Defence, Canda; the governments of Nunavut, Manitoba, and the Yukon; and the cities of Toronto, Aurora, Bradford, Burlington, Calgary, Brampton, Winnipeg, and West Gwillimbury.

IPAC brings a celebrated history of supporting excellence in the country’s public sector. With 18 regional groups country-wide, the institute is a recognized leader in research, training, knowledge sharing and outreach, having helped export Canadian public sector experience worldwide since the 1900s.

“We are proud to partner with the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC). Their commitment to practice and promote the highest standards of service to their members and partners aligns with our own values of delivering the highest quality of education to public sector leaders. We are fortunate to have worked with many government agencies across all levels of government in Canada by way of our Masters Certificate in Public Sector Leadership and custom professional programming,” shares Rami Mayer, Executive Director of Schulich ExecEd. “This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering ethical leadership and excellence in public service, equipping leaders with the tools and insights needed to navigate complex challenges with integrity and resilience.”

What’s Next

The partnership between Schulich ExecEd and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) represents a significant commitment to addressing the evolving ethical challenges within the Canadian public service sector. By introducing the Integrity First: Values and Ethics for a Modern Public Service program, these two institutions are primed to empower public servants, academics, and professionals with the indispensable tools and expertise necessary to thrive in this dynamic field.

To learn more or enrol in the program, visit here.