CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
A Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Assembly was developed by the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections as directed by section 35 of the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, and passed by a resolution of the House on May 26, 2008. It was amended by resolution of the House on December 2, 2019.
The Code is the standard by which all Members agree to govern themselves in carrying out their responsibilities as elected officials. As a part of the oath of office, all Members agree to follow this Code of Conduct before being permitted to take their seat.
Code of Conduct
Commitments:
Members of this House of Assembly recognize that we are responsible to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and will responsibly execute our official duties in order to promote the human, environmental and economic welfare of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Members of this House of Assembly respect the law and the institution of the Legislature and acknowledge our need to maintain the public trust placed in us by performing our duties with accessibility, accountability, courtesy, honesty and integrity.
Principles:
Members shall inform themselves of and shall conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions and spirit of the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly, the House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration Act, the Members’ Resources and Allowances Rules, the Elections Act, 1991, the House of Assembly Act and this Code of Conduct and shall ensure that their conduct does not bring the integrity of their office or the House of Assembly into disrepute.
It is a fundamental objective of their holding public office that Members serve their fellow citizens with integrity in order to improve the economic and social conditions of the people of the province.
Members reject political corruption and refuse to participate in unethical political practices which tend to undermine the democratic traditions of our province and its institutions.
Members will act lawfully and in a manner that will withstand the closest public scrutiny. Neither the law nor this code is designed to be exhaustive and there will be occasions on which Members will find it necessary to adopt more stringent norms of conduct in order to protect the public interest and to enhance public confidence and trust.
Members will not engage in personal conduct that exploits for private reasons their positions or authorities or that would tend to bring discredit to their offices.
Members will carry out their official duties and arrange their private financial affairs in a manner that protects the public interest and enhances public confidence and trust in government and in high standards of ethical conduct in public office.
Members will base their conduct on a consideration of the public interest. They are individually responsible for preventing conflicts of interest and will endeavour to prevent them from arising. Members will take all reasonable steps to resolve any such conflict quickly and in a manner which is in the best interests of the public.
In performing their official duties, Members will apply public resources prudently and only for the purposes for which they are intended.
Members will not use official information which is not in the public domain, or information obtained in confidence in the course of their official duties, for personal gain or the personal gain of others.
Members should have regard to the duty of public service employees to remain politically impartial when carrying out their duties.
Members should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
This Code of Conduct has a continuing effect except as amended or rescinded by resolution of the House of Assembly.
