Political Activity Policy

1. Horizon Health Network (Horizon) is a politically neutral organization and does not support or endorse any political party or candidate at any level of government.

2. No employee will engage in any form of partisan political activity during his working hours or at any time engage in a political activity that could result in a perception that the person is not fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of the employee’s position impartially or effectively.

3. No employee will engage in any form of partisan political activity on or off Horizon premises while wearing a uniform or Horizon Identification (ID) badge that may be associated with Horizon and/or Horizon facilities.

4. Horizon facilities will not be used for partisan political activities which includes, but is not limited to:

• the use of workplace communication systems (email, voice mail, bulletin boards) to promote political messages.
• speaking on behalf of Horizon in a public forum without being authorized by the CEO or Communications and Community Relations Department.
• expressing political opinions to patients or clients within Horizon.
• lobbying Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) or their representatives, or members of Municipal and District Government Councils on behalf of patients or clients within Horizon.
• as a political venue and/or backdrop by past, current, or future MPs, MLAs or their representatives, or members of Municipal and District Government Council. This includes, but is not limited to, political announcements, political receptions, political conventions, political campaigning, political rallies or demonstrations, displaying partisan political signage and other political promotional material, and touring.

5. Elected officials may access Horizon facilities for the purpose of carrying out their duties to the elected office provided they do not engage in any political activity and comply with applicable Horizon policies and all standard access requirements in place at the facility.

6. No employees will engage politicians on behalf of Horizon and/or their respective facilities, or act in a manner that could mislead others into believing such employee’s personal views are that of Horizon. This includes, but is not limited to, engaging politicians:

• to procure funding to purchase/upgrade medical equipment;
• for facility upgrades and/or additions;
• for the hiring and/or retention of Horizon and/or facility staff;
• for donations to Horizon and/or facility causes;

7. As a major employer in New Brunswick, Horizon considers it important for all citizens to participate in the democratic process. Any employee who intends to run as a candidate in a federal or provincial election applies and obtains a leave of absence without pay from the appropriate VP before filing nomination papers with the returning officer. Such leave begins no later than the day the employee files the nomination papers with the returning officer and ends no later than fourteen days after the election results are officially declared.