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“There is no question in our minds that the department is targeting political activities,” said Sandra Guttman, the association’s general counsel.

“Any public servant reading it would certainly be reticent to use any form of social media whatsoever at the risk of being investigated and disciplined. One might also infer from the message that the department may be monitoring computers in the workplace and online activities of its employees.”

For the first time, the government has publicly released the manual for the “caretaker convention,” which includes guidelines to govern the conduct of ministers, political staff and public servants during elections and, for the first time, flags the use of social media.

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“Public servants are just that, the Public’s servants — they are not the governing party’s servants (remember that only 38% voted for this government!). Public servant are a check and balance within our system and must be allowed to voice their concerns when sitting governments exercise undue power. I can accept the need for secrecy if in times of war, or the like, but the bureaucracy must be able to have a voice for the average citizen. We have so few checks and balances in our system so we must protect, at all costs, the few we have.” – Chipreader

“There’s a great deal of irony to be found in a democratic government telling its own employees that they do not have the right to freedom of expression outside of business hours.