Preamble

Lobbying has been acknowledged by Parliament as a legitimate part of our system of democratic government.

Public affairs and government relations specialists, whether full-time employees or contract consultants, facilitate the interchange of information, experience and ideas between decision makers and those affected by the decisions. Their activities are recognized and sanctioned by the Lobbying Act.

What is required of all involved – those with an interest or point of view to assert, facilitators of the process, and the ultimate decision makers – is a standard of conduct that is ethical and transparent.

To strengthen the practice and conduct of government relations in Canada and to further the objectives of the Lobbying Act, the following rules and guidelines define a standard of professional conduct for members of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and apply to all members of the Institute.

Any firm or partnership, one of whose directors or partners knowingly causes or permits a member of its staff (whether full or part-time), to act in a manner inconsistent with this Code, is party to such action and shall itself be deemed in breach of it.

General Conduct

Members of the Institute shall:

1. Comply at all times with the Lobbying Act and its regulations;

2. Conduct their professional activities in accordance with the public interest;

3. Conduct their relations with and discharge their duties to employers and clients, elected and non-elected office holders, the public and fellow members of the profession with integrity and fairness;

4. Serve the employers and clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner;

5. Not knowingly disseminate false or misleading information, and exercise care not to do so inadvertently;

6. Disclose fully to clients all fees and charges which charges shall be fair and reasonable;

7. Honour confidences given in the course of professional activity;

8. Avoid any conflict of interest. Members shall not seek to advise both government and private interests in the same manner, at the same time; in all instances, members have a responsibility to ensure that clients, both public and private, are informed of any potentially conflicting relationship;

9. Participate in the activities of the Institute and assist in maintaining its integrity;

10. Conduct themselves towards other members of the profession with civility and good faith.

The Government Relations Institute of Canada ("GRIC") is a national industry association of government relations professionals representing a broad cross section of Consultant and In-House entities. The Institute's mandate is to speak and act on behalf of its members on all matters pertaining to the relationship between the industry and government, and to foster high standards of practice through professional development and adherence to a Code of Business Conduct.