The current controversy began when the British government suddenly dropped its Official Secrets Act case against Katharine Gun, a Chinese linguist working for GCHQ in Cheltenham, UK. Recent attention on the privacy of diplomatic communications and conversations were, once again, brought to light as a result of disclosures made by a British intelligence employee, former United Nations officials, and a former British Cabinet Minister concerning eavesdropping by the US National Security Agency and the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). accredited to Canada, the assurances of its highest consideration.Privacy of Diplomatic Communications Privacy and Security The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development avails itself of this opportunity to renew to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargé d’affaires, a.i. The Office of Protocol of Canada remains at the disposal of the Heads of Mission to respond to queries, as necessary, and invites them to contact the Chief of Protocol of Canada, Ms. In addition, the Department would like to draw attention to sections 331, 351.1 and 358 of the Canada Elections Act, which contain specific provisions for foreigners with respect to Canadian elections. Although developed to guide participation of federal public servants in Canadian federal, provincial, territorial or municipal elections, the sections “Examples of non-candidacy political activities”, “Social media and online activities”, and “Factors to consider before engaging in non-candidacy political activities” may be relevant. Heads of Mission are thus also reminded that no accredited diplomatic and consular personnel should directly or indirectly make any financial contribution to a candidate or political event.Īs a guideline for Heads of Mission on how to support employees on making an informed decision about the type of activities that may be regarded as inappropriate during an election period, the Department refers them to the Public Service Commission of Canada Guidance Document for Participating in Non-Candidacy Political Activities. During an election period, the Department has the honour to remind the Heads of Mission that these duties include ensuring that diplomatic and consular personnel do not conduct activities which may either be perceived as inducing electors to vote for a particular candidate or prohibiting them from voting for a particular candidate in any way. The Department wishes to remind the Heads of Mission that, consistent with Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Article 55 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, they have the duty to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state and the duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of the receiving state. The Department requests that the content of this Note be transmitted to all members of the mission and members of consular posts. accredited to Canada, and has the honour to refer to the matter of the upcoming federal elections in 2015. The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development presents its compliments to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargés d’affaires, a.i. 2015 Federal Elections: Applicable Framework at Times of Elections in Canada Circular Note No.
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