Public Servants Risk Scrutiny for Criticizing Government Online: Federal Guidance Document

The document says such comments on social media can undermine the public’s trust in the public service’s ability to support the federal government.

Construction workers build scaffolding on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 20, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa has issued a guidance document informing public servants they may face scrutiny if they post content on social media that it deems partisan, disrespectful, or critical of government policies—even when shared from anonymous personal accounts.

The document seeks to provide “guidance for public servants on their personal use of social media.”