Commisioner's code of ethics and professional
conduct
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1. Commissioners shall at all times conduct themselves with loyalty
and dignity, demonstrate reserve, and abstain from any statement
or action that is incompatible with their duties. In the performance
of their mandate, Commissioners shall promote the satisfaction of
Québec's energy needs in accordance with the principles of
sustainable development and with attention to economic, social and
environmental concerns. They shall also reconcile the public interest,
consumer protection and equitable treatment of distributors.
IMPARTIALITY
2.Commissioners shall demonstrate impartiality at all times. They
shall act and be seen to act objectively and without prejudice.
They shall abstain from expressing in public any opinions that might
cast doubt on their objectivity or impartiality, or that of the
Régie.
INDEPENDENCE
3. Commissioners shall at all times defend the independence of their
office. They shall perform their duties free of all interference.
They shall avoid placing themselves in an equivocal position.
POLITICAL NEUTRALITY
4. Commissioners shall set aside their personal political opinions
so as to perform their duties with due objectivity.
Commissioners shall exercise reserve in the public expression of
their political opinions and shall not belong to any advocacy group
that takes positions on energy-related matters.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
5. Commissioners shall avoid placing themselves in a position of
conflict of interest. They shall arrange their personal affairs
so as not to interfere with the performance of their duties. They
shall not use the power of their position to obtain or grant any
benefit or favour. Commissioners shall have no interest, direct
or indirect, in any company that produces, transports, distributes
or supplies energy, or in any organization, association or undertaking
an interest in which would create a conflict between their personal
interests and the duties of their position.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
6. Each Commissioner shall submit an annual written declaration
to the Chairman of the Régie stating all the interests he
or she
possesses which he or she believes could create a conflict of interest.
RECUSAL
7. Commissioners shall recuse themselves from any deliberations
in which their ability to deal impartially with the application
under consideration could be in doubt. A Commissioner shall bring
any situation which he or she deems to be problematic to the attention
of the Chairman of the Régie.
CONFIDENTIALITY
8. Commissioners shall swear an oath of confidentiality upon entering
upon their duties. Commissioners shall abstain from making any comment
or taking any public position on any file, whether or not they are
personally responsible for that file, and shall express their points
of view only through the decisions rendered by the Régie.
Commissioners shall at all times respect the confidentiality of
the documents and information to which they are made privy in the
performance of their duties and may not use them for personal ends.
DUTY TO ACT WITH
EQUITY
9. At hearings and in examining applications, Commissioners shall
ensure that all participants have the opportunity to be heard and
to make their arguments, insofar as those arguments are admissible
and relevant. At hearings, Commissioners shall maintain order, taking
a firm but courteous attitude which fosters mutual respect among
all present.
COLLEGIALITY
10. Each Commissioner shall provide his or her colleagues with appropriate
support, while respecting the areas of competence of each. Commissioners
shall strive to ensure that the decisions rendered by the Régie
are consistent, so that all intervenors who appear before the Régie
receive equitable treatment.
EXCELLENCE
11. Commissioners shall keep their professional skills and knowledge
current so as to maintain the quality of their work.
DILIGENCE
12. Commissioners shall render written, reasoned decisions, effectively
and diligently,
in plain language.
OATH
13.Upon entering upon their duties, Commissioners shall take the
following oath:"I,
, Commissioner, do solemnly declare
that I will exercise the powers and perform the duties of my position
impartially and honestly, to the best of my ability and knowledge."
Action Plan on the Protection of Personal Information, in accordance
with the instructions received from the Assistant General Secretary
of the Conseil executive responsible for the matter, an internal
committee of the Régie de l'énergie continued its
work.
During the year 2000-2001, the committee issued the annual reminders
concerning the use of fax machines and e-mail suggested by the Commission
d'accès à l'information. It also launched a review
of current practices concerning the use and destruction of personal
information. The committee intends to continue its efforts along
these lines in the coming year.
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