1.
Introduction It
is a condition of membership in the Purchasing Management
Association of Canada and its affiliated Institutes
and Corporation that members shall abide by the Constitution
and the Rules and By-Laws of the Institute or Corporation
in which they are members. This Professional Code of
Ethics is binding upon all members.
2.
Definitions
Purchasing
Management Association of Canada means the national body of the association.
Institute means the Institute of a province affiliated
with the Purchasing Management Association of Canada.
Corporation means the Corporation des approvisionneurs
du Quebec, affiliated with the Purchasing Management
Association of Canada.
A)
Values
Members
will operate and conduct their decisions and actions
based on the following values:
Honesty/Integrity
Maintaining an unimpeachable standard
of integrity in all their business relationships both
inside and outside the organizations in which they are
employed;
Professionalism
Fostering the highest standards of professional
competence amongst those for whom they are responsible;
Responsible Management
Optimizing the use of resources for
which they are responsible so as to provide the maximum
benefit to their employers;
Serving the Public Interest
Not using their authority of office
for personal benefit, rejecting and denouncing any business
practice that is improper;
Conformity to the Laws in
Terms of:
The laws of the country in which
they practice;
The Institute's or Corporation's Rules and Regulations;
Contractual obligations.
B) Norms of Ethical Behavior
To consider first, the interest of
one's organization in all transactions and to carry
out and believe in its established policies.
To be receptive to competent counsel from one's colleagues
and be guided by such counsel without impairing the
responsibility of one's office.
To buy without prejudice, seeking to obtain the maximum
value for each dollar of expenditure.
To strive for increased knowledge of the materials
and processes of manufacture, and to establish practical
procedures for the performance of one's responsibilities.
To participate in professional development programs
so that one's purchasing knowledge and performance are
enhanced.
To subscribe to and work for honesty in buying and
selling and to denounce all forms of improper business
practice.
To accord a prompt and courteous reception to all
who call on a legitimate business mission.
To abide by and to encourage others to practice the
Professional Code of Ethics of the Purchasing Management
Association of Canada and its affiliated Institutes
and Corporation.
To counsel and assist fellow purchasers in the performance
of their duties.
To co-operate with all organizations and individuals
engaged in activities which enhance the development
and standing of purchasing and materials management.
4.
Rules of Conduct
In applying these rules of conduct,
members should follow guidance set out below:
Declaration of
Interest
Any personal interest which may impinge
or might reasonably be deemed by others to impinge on
a member's impartiality in any matter relevant to his
or her duties should be immediately declared to his
or her employer.
Confidentiality
and Accuracy of Information
The confidentiality of information received
in the course of duty must be respected and should not
be used for personal gain; information given in the
course of duty should be true and fair and not designed
to mislead.
Competition
While considering the advantages to
the member's employer of maintaining a continuing relationship
with a supplier, any arrangement which might prevent
the effective operation of fair competition should be
avoided.
Business Gifts
and Hospitality
To preserve the image and integrity
of the member, employer and the profession, business
gifts other than items of small intrinsic value should
not be accepted. Reasonable hospitality is an accepted
courtesy of a business relationship. The frequency and
nature of gifts or hospitality accepted should not be
allowed whereby the recipient might be or might be deemed
by others to have been influenced in making a business
decision as a consequence of accepting such hospitality
or gifts.
Discrimination
and Harassment
No member shall knowingly participate
in acts of discrimination or harassment towards any
person that he or she has business relations with.
Environmental
Issues
Members shall recognize their responsibility
to environmental issues consistent with their corporate
goals or missions.
Interpretation
When in doubt on the interpretation
of these rules of conduct, members should refer to the
Ethics Committee of their Institute or Corporation.
5.
Enforcement Procedures The following procedures shall
apply unless otherwise governed by provincial legislation.
Cases of members reported to have breached the Ethical
Code shall be referred to the Institute or Corporation
for review by their Ethics Committee.
A) Complaint
Process
Allegations of a breach
to the Professional Code of Ethics shall be made in
writing by the witness to the Institute or Corporation.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the Institute or Corporation
will send an acknowledgement of receipt to the witness
and will advise the accused in writing that he or she
is under investigation, and the nature of the complaint.
B) Investigation
The Ethics Committee will conduct
an investigation, which will include the opportunity
for the accused to present his or her own version of
the facts.
The Ethics Committee will, within a reasonable period
of time, present its report to the President of the
Institute or Corporation. The report will include the
nature of the complaint and the decision as to the dismissal
of the complaint, or the sanction to be applied.
The President will then send the decision to the
accused, who has thirty days to appeal.
If the accused decides to make a request of appeal,
then the request must be in writing to the President.
The President will convene an Appeal Committee meeting
with the witnesses, the accused and all other persons
who could have new information about the case.
The Appeal Committee will make its decision within
30 days of the receipt of the request of appeal. The
decision of the Appeal Committee is final and without
appeal.
C) Sanctions
Where a case is proven, a member
may, depending on the circumstances and the gravity
of the charge, be reprimanded, suspended from membership
or expelled and removed from the list of members. Details
of cases in which members are found in breach of the
Code may be published in such a manner as the Institute
or Corporation shall deem appropriate.
Enforcement shall be in accordance with the requirements
of the member's Institute or Corporation.
