Manitoba
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Manitoba Civil Service Commission

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2.5.3.   Oath Of Office

Policy

Every person appointed to employment with the Government must take the Oath of Office and the Oath of Allegiance.

Questions And Answers

  1. What is the Oath of Office?
  2. What is the Oath of Allegiance?
  3. Who is required to take the Oaths?
  4. Can the requirement for oaths be waived?
  5. Who administers oaths?
  6. Does an employee re-take the oaths upon transfer or promotion?
  7. Does a former employee re-take the oaths upon returning to government service?

Questions And Answers

1. What is the Oath of Office?

The Oath of Office is a solemn promise by government employees to discharge their duties responsibly and to refrain from disclosing any information which may come to them by reason of their employment in the government service.

2. What is the Oath of Allegiance?

The Oath of Allegiance is a solemn promise government employees to be loyal to the Queen. This oath applies only to Canadian citizens or British subjects.

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3. Who is required to take the oaths?

All new employees of the Manitoba government are required to take the oaths. This includes regular, term, casual and contract employees. It includes summer students and co-op students. It may also include volunteers, work placement students and trainees who have access to confidential and sensitive information.

4. Can the requirement for oaths be waived?

There are two situations in which the requirement for oaths can be waived:

  • Employees who are not Canadian citizens or British subjects are not required to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Queen where this oath would result in a loss of citizenship in their own country. Such persons are, however, required to take the Oath of Office.
  • Employees who cannot take an oath for proclaimed religious reasons can replace the word "swear" with "affirm", strike the words "so help me God" and decline to place their hand on the Bible.

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5. Who administers the oaths?

Departments are responsible for ensuring oaths are administered by either a Commissioner for Oaths or a Notary Public in and for the Province of Manitoba. Departments must keep original copies of sworn oaths in the employee's personnel file.

6. Does an employee re-take the oaths upon transfer or promotion?

No. Employees who are transferred or promoted to a different position are not required to re-take the oaths.

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7. Does a former employee re-take the oaths upon returning to government service?

A former employee returning to government service after a break in service is required to re-take the oaths.

Comment Boxes

Break in Service Break in service refers to situations where an employee has resigned, and then returned to employment in the government service. An approved leave of absence, such as maternity leave, does not constitute a break in service.

Authority

 Effective date January 15, 1997

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