|
Code of Ethics
CHAPTER I
PURPOSE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION
1.
The present code of ethics and professional conduct has the purpose of preserving and strengthening the citizens’ trust link in the Board’s integrity and impartiality, promote transparency within the Board and building up accountability with its members.
2.
The present code of ethics and professional conduct applies to the Board members that are named by the Gouvernement du Québec, including the chairperson, in addition to the members named by the Cree Regional Authority.
3.
Concerning the Board staff, it must comply with the ethics and professional conduct standards that apply to it.
CHAPTER II
PRINCIPLES OF ETHICS AND BYLAWS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
4.
The contribution of Board members to the realization of its mandate must be made in respect of the law, with honour, loyalty, rigour, caution, diligence, efficiency, assiduity and fairness.
5.
The Board member is required, in the performance of his duties, to respect the principles of ethics and professional conduct set out in the present code of ethics and professional conduct. A Board member who is also governed by other standards of ethics and professional conduct is also subject to the present code of ethics and professional conduct. In the event of divergence, the most demanding principles and rules apply.
The Board member must, if in doubt, act according to the spirit of these principles and rules. He must also organize his personal affairs so that they cannot hinder the performance of his duties.
6.
The Board member is required to exercise discretion concerning what he knows in or during the performance of his duties and is required to respect the confidential nature of the information received in this manner at all times.
7. The Board chairperson must show reserve in the public expression of his political opinions.
8.
The Board member must avoid placing himself in a situation of conflict between his personal interest and his official duties.
He must reveal in writing to the Board chairperson any direct or indirect interest he has in an organization, enterprise or association liable to place him in a situation of conflict of interest, in addition to the rights he can present against the Board, by indicating, if applicable, their nature and their value. An indirect conflict of interest can occur in cases where a member can receive some sort of benefit in a roundabout way, such as through his children or an enterprise in which he holds shares.
The organizations, enterprises or associations referred to in the preceding paragraph do not include the organizations or associations which represent the Cree Nation (Eeyou Istchee).
In the case of the chairperson, he must reveal this information in writing to the executive director of the Board, who is in charge of gathering and conserving declarations from all the Board members.
In the case of a member named by the Cree Regional Authority, the former must also reveal this information to the Cree Regional Authority.
9.
The Board member must inform the Board chairperson in writing of any contracts or research projects he is participating in and declare the subsidies obtained from any organization, enterprise or association.
In the case of the chairperson, he must give this information in writing to the Board executive director, who is in charge of gathering and conserving declarations from all the Board members.
In the case of a member named by the Cree Regional Authority, the former must also reveal this information to the Cree Regional Authority.
10.
The Board member must abstain from participating in any deliberation or decision involving any organization, enterprise or association in which he has an interest as set out in Articles 8 and 9. Furthermore, he must withdraw from the meeting during the length of the deliberations and vote on this question.
11.
The Board chairperson ensures that the minutes of Board meetings mention any abstention of one of its members from the decisions concerning the decisions concerning any organization, enterprise or association in which he has an interest, for the purpose of transparency.
12.
The Board member must not mistake Board property for his own and cannot use it to the advantage of himself or a third party.
13.
The Board member cannot use any information obtained in or during the performance of his duties to the advantage of himself or a third party.
14.
The duties set out in Articles 5, 6 and 13 do not have the effect of preventing a Cree Regional Authority representative to consult nor report to the Cree Regional Authority, nor does it prevent to consult nor report to the members of the Cree Nation (Eeyou Istchee) or the organizations or associations which represent it, unless the information is confidential under the law and that such confidentiality is in accordance with the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement or the Agreement concerning a New Relationship between the Crees of Québec and the Government of Québec.
15.
A Board member is allowed to accept and keep a gift, or accept a token of hospitality or other benefit as long as the present is of modest use and value and is offered during an event attended by the receiving member.
Any other gift, token of hospitality or benefit received must be returned to the donor or government.
16.
The Board member cannot, either directly or indirectly, grant, solicit or accept an undue favour or benefit for himself or a third party.
17.
The Board member must not allow himself to be influenced in his decision-making by outside considerations such as the possibility of an appointment or job openings and offers.
18.
The Board member who has ceased to hold office must behave in a manner in which he does not gain any undue benefits from his previous Board duties.
19.
The Board member who has ceased to hold office must not disclose confidential information he has received nor give anyone advice based on information unavailable to the public concerning the Board or another organization or enterprise with which it had important and direct relations during the year preceding the end of his mandate.
The Board member who has ceased to hold office but remains with the appointing party, in the context of his dealings with this party or associations which represent it, will have the right to inform it, in order to ensure a good governance.
20.
The Board chairperson must ensure the respect of the principles of ethics and rules of professional conduct by the Board members.
CHAPTER III
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
21.
The Board chairperson intending to run for an elected public function must inform the general secretary of the Executive Board of the Gouvernement du Québec.
22. The Board chairperson intending to run for an elected public function must leave office.
CHAPTER IV
REMUNERATION
23.
Each party shall assume the remuneration and the travel costs of its own members, in compliance with Article 3.48 of the Agreement concerning a new relationship between the Gouvernement du Québec and the Crees of Québec and, in the case of a member named by the Gouvernement du Québec, in compliance with the order in force, if the case may be.
The Board member can receive other remuneration for the performance of duties other than those linked to the Board.
CHAPTER V
CERTIFICATION
24.
The Board member must observe the rules and principles set out in this code. At the time of his appointment, the member must sign the certification document produced in the appendix confirming that he has read and understood the present code and that he agrees to respect it. The signing of the certification by the member already in office must be done within 60 days following the effective date of the present code.
CHAPTER VI
EFFECTIVE DATE
25.
The present code of ethics and professional conduct of the Board members along with the here-attached certification form were adopted during the meeting of June 15 th, 2004 and are rendered effective as of August 24 th, 2004.
|
