Deputy Minister Defends Actions as Part of Diversity Mandate After Ethics Probe Finds Breach

Deputy Minister of National Defence Christiane Fox says she was trying to introduce “outside perspectives” to Immigration Canada when she encouraged her former ministry to recruit an acquaintance.

Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein announced the results of an investigation last week that found Fox urged subordinates at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to hire Björn Charles, who is black, as a project manager in March 2023, while she was still serving as deputy minister at the ministry.

Fox knew Charles from their days as university athletes together, the commissioner’s report said, adding that she had used her influence to “improperly” further the private interests of her acquaintance.

“This report reminds appointed federal officials at all levels to keep the Conflict of Interest Act in mind whenever there’s a possibility of influencing a decision,” von Finckenstein said in an April 8 statement. “They’re not allowed to use their position to try to influence a decision to further their private interests or those of their relatives or friends, or to improperly further another person’s private interests.”

The deputy minister responded in a statement posted to the defence department’s website, repeating some of the arguments she had made to the commissioner during the investigation.

“My approach was motivated by a genuine desire to bring in outside perspectives, strengthen the performance of underperforming teams, and help build a public service that better reflects the people it serves,” Fox said. “In particular, my efforts were focused on advancing diversity and inclusion across the public service, an objective explicitly set for Deputy Ministers.”

The commissioner’s report indicated that the IRCC, which has previously reported issues related to hiring black employees, was “focused on anti-racism, diversity and inclusion” during Fox’s tenure as deputy minister. But von Finckenstein said that Fox’s explanation lacked credibility.

IRCC officials experienced pressure from Fox to hire Charles in the access-to-information division of the department, the report said.

“Fox used her position as Deputy Minister to give Mr. Charles preferential treatment, by ensuring he met with departmental officials quickly, seeking updates about his hiring, giving him internal information, and pushing for a higher job classification,” it said.

Fox and her family frequented the Goodlife gym where Charles served as a manager prior to his employment at IRCC, according to the report. It also indicated that Fox’s husband was Charles’ assistant basketball coach during his time at Carleton University from 2001 to 2004.

“The true intent behind her interventions was to help Mr. Charles find new employment, and this occurred under her watch through the creation of a position in her department to fit Mr. Charles’s needs,” the report added.

Fox said in her statement that she respects the role of the commissioner and takes “this matter seriously.”

“While my intent was to fulfil my responsibilities as a public office holder and advance meaningful organizational change in the government of Canada’s interests, I recognize how we pursue change is as important as the change itself, and that is something I will continue to carry forward in my work,” she said.

Fox left her role as deputy minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in 2024 to become the deputy clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet.

She changed roles again when Prime Minister Mark Carney announced her appointment last December to the highest civilian position at the Department of National Defence. The move was part of a reorganization within the senior levels of the public service.

Charles is no longer in the role that spurred von Finckenstein’s investigation. His LinkedIn profile says he now works as an access to information and privacy analyst in the Privy Council Office.