Declaration for NSERC Council Members

Ethics and Conflict of Interest

I understand that, as a Council member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC Council member), I am a Public Office Holder subject to the Conflict of Interest Act, and the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders.

I have read and understood and agree to abide by the roles, duties and responsibilities of members set out in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act, the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for NSERC Council Members, By-Laws I and II, and the Guidelines on Conflict of Interest for NSERC Council Members. 

I agree that in carrying out my roles, duties and responsibilities I will always act and behave in a manner that will avoid any real, perceived or potential conflict(s) of interest.

I declare that, at present:

• I do not have a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest with respect to my roles, duties and responsibilities as a member;

Or

• by reason of one or more of my personal, family, financial, professional, employment or other relationships, affiliations, associations or activities, I have a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest, as follows (attach separate sheet if necessary):

I declare that I have resolved and will continue to resolve any conflict of interest as disclosed above in favour of the public interest including, where necessary, recusing myself from NSERC Council meetings, activities, discussions and/or decisions about the matter with which I have a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest.

Should a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest arise with respect to my role, duties or responsibilities as a member, I will immediately disclose such conflict to the Corporate Secretary in writing, who will advise the Council Chair and the NSERC President, and where necessary I will recuse myself from NSERC Council meetings, activities, discussions and decisions about the matter with which I have a conflict.

Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure

I understand that documentation provided by NSERC to members may contain personal information and confidential technical information and that such information may be subject to the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act and the Policy on Government Security.

I understand that documents, communications and information that I provide to anyone in my official capacity as a Council member may be considered records under the control of NSERC and may be subject to the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act and the Policy on Government Security. 

I understand that I must treat such documentation confidentially, and I will ensure that NSERC documents in my possession are stored in a secure manner to prevent unauthorized access.

I understand that when these documents are no longer required I must destroy them in a secure manner by deleting their electronic data files, shredding their paper copies or arranging for their return to NSERC in a secure manner.

I understand that Council deliberations are confidential. Comments made by individual members during meetings must never be discussed or disclosed outside of Council meetings. It is the role of NSERC staff to communicate Council decisions.

I understand that on occasion, as a member, I may be asked by NSERC for advice on a grant application or to be a member of an advisory committee or special committee with respect to the awarding of prizes or grants. I understand that peer review documentation provided to members must be used only for the purpose for which it was originally collected, i.e., assessing NSERC applications and making funding decisions, and that it must not be used for any other purpose or discussed with or disclosed to non-committee members.

I understand that breaches of confidentiality and privacy are a serious matter. I agree to take personal responsibility for complying with these requirements.

I will review and update the information provided pursuant to this Declaration on an annual basis.

I understand that the information provided herein will be retained in the files of the Council’s Corporate Secretariat, with access limited to the Corporate Secretary, the Chair (Vice-President) of the Council, the Executive Vice-President and the President.

It is mandatory that you return this form upon appointment to:

Administrative Assistant to the Corporate Secretary
NSERC
125 Zaida Eddy Private, 2nd floor
Ottawa, ON  K1R 0E3