Principles of Member Conduct

Members of the Board are committed to the following principles:

1. A Member will endeavour to conduct all hearings expeditiously, making an effort to commence at the appointed time and preventing unnecessary delay so that parties will have a fair opportunity to present relevant evidence and arguments without undue interruption. However, Members have the right to ask questions and control the hearing process.

2. A Member will decide each case in good faith to the best of his or her ability.

3. A Member will be courteous and show respect for the parties and their representatives and witnesses, while requiring the same behaviour from all persons present in the hearing room.

4. A Member will demonstrate a high degree of sensitivity to issues of gender, ability, race, language, culture and religion which may affect the conduct of a hearing and assessment of credibility.

5. Although a Member cannot advise or take the side of any party, a Member will attempt to ensure that parties who are unrepresented are not unduly disadvantaged at the hearing by explaining the process and asking questions where it is appropriate.

6. A Member will not communicate directly or indirectly with any party, witness or representative in respect of a proceeding outside of a hearing or pre-hearing conference, except in the presence of all parties and their representatives.  He or she will behave in a manner that ensures parties view the Member as impartial towards all participants and representatives.

7. The prospect of disapproval from any person, institution, media representative or community will not deter the Member from making the decision which he or she believes is correct based on the law and the evidence.

8. A Member accepts responsibility for the accuracy and correctness of his or her Orders and Reasons and is responsible for ensuring that all decisions are rendered as soon as possible given the complexity of the application being considered.   

If a person believes a Member has not complied with any of these principles, they may make a complaint to the Board.  The procedures for making a complaint are found in the Complaints about a Member’s Conduct section.