Partly public
Asset declarations in Canada: who declares and whether it is public
Laws
Who must declare
Reporting public office holders under the Conflict of Interest Act, a subset of public office holders that includes ministers, parliamentary secretaries, the Chief Electoral Officer, ministerial advisers, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, certain full-time or salaried Governor in Council appointees, and ministerial staff who work an average of 15 or more hours a week. Members of the House of Commons are covered by a separate code of the House.1
What is declared
A confidential report to the Commissioner, followed by public declarations of certain assets, of a minister's liabilities of $10,000 or more (without amounts) and of certain outside positions, and a signed summary statement of the measures taken to comply with the Act.1
How often
Confidential report within 60 days after appointment, public declarations and summary statement within 120 days after appointment, recusal declarations within 60 days after a recusal, and an annual review with the Commissioner.1
Public access
The confidential report is not public. The Commissioner keeps a registry open to the public that includes public declarations, summary statements, records of forfeited gifts, and decisions on exemptions and waivers. Some recusal details may be withheld to protect confidences, privileged information or national security.1
Where to find declarations
Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, public registry (https://www.ethicscanada.ca/).1,2
Who verifies
The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner reviews reports with each reporting public office holder every year, can order compliance measures such as divestment or recusal, gives confidential advice, and examines alleged breaches on request from a parliamentarian or on its own initiative.1
Sanctions in law
Failure to meet the filing requirements and other listed provisions carries an administrative monetary penalty not exceeding $500.1
Checked 28 October 2026.
Sources
- Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada, Conflict of Interest Act (S.C. 2006, c. 9, s. 2), full text
- Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner