Code of Ethical Conduct

For Members of the Legislative Assembly

(Adopted June 14, 1993)

Preamble

As Members of the Legislative Assembly we recognize that our actions have a profound impact on the lives of all Saskatchewan people. Fulfilling our obligations and discharging our duties responsibly requires a commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Statement of Commitment

To the people of this province, we owe the responsible execution of our official duties, in order to promote human and environmental welfare.

To our constituents, we owe honesty, accessibility, accountability, courtesy and understanding.

To our colleagues in this Assembly, we owe loyalty to shared principles, respect for differences, and fairness in political dealings.

We believe that the fundamental objective of public office is to serve our fellow citizens with integrity in order to improve the economic and social conditions of all Saskatchewan people.

We reject political corruption and will refuse to participate in unethical political practices which tend to undermine the democratic traditions of our province and its institutions.

Declaration of Principles

Members of this Assembly must 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 of this Assembly must act not only lawfully but also 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.

Every Member is individually responsible for preventing potential and actual conflicts of interest, and must arrange private financial affairs in a manner that prevents such conflicts from arising.

Members of the Assembly must carry out their official duties objectively and without consideration of personal or financial interests.

Members of the Assembly must not accept gifts, benefits or favours except for incidental gifts or customary hospitality of nominal value as provided for in legislation.

Members of the Assembly must not take personal advantage of or private benefit from information that is obtained in the course of or as a result of their official duties or positions and that is not in the public domain.

Members of the Assembly must 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 of the Assembly must not use, or allow the use of, public property or services for personal gain.

Members of the Assembly, when leaving public office and when they have left public office, must not take improper advantage of their former office.