S-4.2, r. 4 - Regulation respecting the Provincial Committee on the dispensing of health and social services in the English language

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SCHEDULE I
(s. 18.3)
CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE ON THE DISPENSING OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
CHAPTER I
PURPOSE
1. The purpose of this Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is to preserve and enhance the confidence of the public in the integrity and impartiality of the public administration, to promote openness within the Provincial Committee on the dispensing of health and social services in the English language, and to render its members accountable.
CHAPTER II
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND GENERAL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
2. Members of the Committee must make their contribution to the fulfillment of its mandate in compliance with the law and with honesty, loyalty, prudence, diligence, efficiency, application and fairness, in the same way as any person participating in the accomplishment of the State’s mission.
3. Members of the Committee must respect and recognize the values and contributions of the other members, respect differences, and remain open to the opinions of others.
4. Members of the Committee are bound to discretion in regard to anything that comes to their knowledge in or in connection with the performance of their duties and are at all times bound to maintain the confidentiality of information thus received.
That obligation does not have the effect of preventing members of the Committee from consulting or reporting to a specific interest group, except where the information is confidential by law or where the secretary of the Committee imposes confidentiality.
5. Members of the Committee must, in performing their duties, make decisions regardless of any partisan political considerations and of all pressure groups.
They must demonstrate reserve in the public expression of their political opinions.
6. Members of the Committee must avoid placing themselves in a situation of conflict between their personal interest, the interest of a related person, and the duties of their office.
They must disclose to the secretary of the Committee, in writing, any direct or indirect interest that they have in an organization, enterprise or association likely to place them in a situation of conflict of interest, as well as any rights that they may assert against the Committee, and must indicate, where applicable, their nature and value.
7. Members of the Committee must refrain from participating in any deliberation or decision concerning an organization, enterprise or association in which they have an interest referred to in section 6. They must also withdraw from the meeting for the time required to deliberate and vote on the matter.
8. The secretary of the Committee must ensure that the minutes of the Committee’s meetings record any abstention by a member on a decision pertaining to an organization, enterprise or association in which the member has an interest, to ensure greater transparency.
9. The chairman of the Committee, if in a potential or apparent conflict of interest, must be replaced by the secretary of the Committee for the purpose of chairing the meeting during the deliberation and vote.
10. Members of the Committee must not treat the property of the Committee as if it were their own property and may not use it for their own benefit or for the benefit of a third person.
Members of the Committee may not use, for their own benefit or for the benefit of a third person, any information obtained in or in connection with the performance of their duties.
11. Members of the Committee may not accept any gift, hospitality or other advantage, except what is customary and is of modest value.
Any other gift, hospitality or advantage received must be returned to the giver or remitted to the State.
In all cases, members of the Committee must ensure that a gift, hospitality or advantage does not impede their objectivity or influence their judgment.
12. Members of the Committee may not, directly or indirectly, grant, solicit or accept a favour or an undue advantage for themselves or for a third person.
13. Members of the Committee must, when making decisions, avoid being influenced by outside considerations such as the possibility of an appointment or the possibility or offer of employment.
14. Members of the Committee who leave office must conduct themselves in such a manner as not to derive undue advantages from their previous service with the Committee.
Members of the Committee who leave office must not disclose any confidential information obtained or give anyone advice based on information not available to the public.
15. The secretary of the Committee must ensure compliance with the rules of ethics and professional conduct by the members of the Committee and must inform the competent authority of any breach of those rules.
CHAPTER III
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
16. Members of the Committee who intend to run for election to an elective public office must so inform the secretary of the Committee.
17. The chairman of the Committee must, if intending to run for election to an elective public office, resign from the position of chairman.
O.C. 1533-2021, s. 16.