CSC also fires 12 workers for misconduct, including abuse of authority, inappropriate relationships, sharing private information
Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) disciplined hundreds of employees in 400 cases of misconduct and wrongdoing in the 2024–25 fiscal year, according to its first Annual Report on Addressing Wrongdoing and Misconduct.
Overall, the government agency fired 12 workers and suspended 124 others.
“Breaches of conduct are addressed effectively, regardless of position, to ensure fairness and accountability,” said Anne Kelly, commissioner of CSC, in the introduction of the report from the government agency.
“Executives, managers and supervisors, however, have special obligations. As leaders, they are expected to set an example by demonstrating high ethical and professional standards in their own conduct. It is also their responsibility to take prompt action to correct misconduct.”
In fiscal 2024–25, CSC recorded seven cases of abuse of power and seven cases of disparaging reputation.
There was also one case of each of the following:
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Being excluded
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Discrimination – national or ethnic origin
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Failure – duty to accommodate
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Insubordination
Previously, Statistics Canada reported that it disciplined 72 employees for misconduct.
Dismissals for misconduct at CSC
In the report, CSC says that dismissals were issued for reasons including “abuse of authority,” bringing contraband into an institution, engaging in sexual acts in the workplace, “entering an inappropriate relationship with an offender or offender’s family, entering an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, failing to act when an offender was in distress, and sharing protected information with an offender.
Suspensions without pay, financial penalties and demotions were also imposed for other serious cases of misconduct. CSC notes that these disciplinary measures are intended to be “corrective, rather than punitive,” and are designed “to motivate employees to behave in accordance with the rules and standards of conduct that are desirable or necessary to achieve CSC’s goals and objectives.”
A CSC spokesperson told CTV News that "protecting the safety and security of our institutions, staff, inmates, and the public" is its top priority, but in accordance with the Privacy Act, they were unable to provide any further comment on specific cases involving employees.
As of March 31, 2025, Correctional Services had 18,902 employees, making the it the fifth-largest federal department or agency in terms of personnel numbers, according to CTV News. Approximately 13,500 employees are in front-line roles, including correctional and parole officers.
