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The federal scientist whose impartiality is under scrutiny for writing and performing the protest song Harperman to get rid of the Conservative government has the same Charter rights to free speech as all Canadians, says the union representing him.

“The Charter rights of Canadians shouldn’t be different between the private and public sectors,” said Debi Daviau, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service. “The right to participate in the federal election is the same and so is the right to free speech.”

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The controversial video performance of Harperman, written and sung by Environment Canada scientist Tony Turner, trended on Twitter and gained thousands of plays on YouTube on Friday after revelations Turner was recently put on leave pending an ethics investigation into making of the song.

He is being investigated for breaching the conflict-of-interest provisions of the public service values and ethics code. The probe is aimed at determining whether there is a conflict between his private interests and work that could compromise his objectivity or impartiality.