CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Bridgepoint Group Ltd. is firmly committed to establishing the highest ethics and standards of professional conduct in the interactions and dealings of the firm and its professionals with all levels of government – municipal, provincial and federal – as well as other public sector and private sector institutions. Accordingly, Bridgepoint has taken the initiative and has established the following Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct (“Code and Standards”) to govern the behaviour of Bridgepoint professionals.

All Bridgepoint professionals must sign and abide by the Code and Standards, and are advised that violations will result in disciplinary actions.


ARTICLE I – HONESTY & INTEGRITY

Bridgepoint professionals will conduct all business development, government relations and other activities with honesty and integrity.

1.1	Bridgepoint professionals will be truthful in communicating with public officials and with other interested persons and should provide factually correct, current and accurate information.
1.2	If Bridgepoint professionals determine that they have provided a public official or other interested person with factually inaccurate information of a significant, relevant and material nature, the professionals will promptly provide the factually accurate information to the interested person.
1.3	If a material change in factual information that the Bridgepoint professional provided previously to a public official causes the information to become inaccurate and the professional knows the public official may still be relying upon the information, the professional will provide accurate and updated information to the public official.

ARTICLE II – KNOWLEDGE AND COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, REGULATIONS & RULES

Bridgepoint professionals will understand and comply with all laws, regulations and rules.

2.1	Bridgepoint professionals will be familiar with all laws, regulations and rules applicable to the profession and will not engage in any violation of such laws, regulations and rules.
2.2	Bridgepoint professionals will not cause a public official to violate any law, regulation or rule applicable to such public official.
2.3	In the event of conflict, Bridgepoint professionals will comply with the more strict law, regulation or rule.
2.4	In the absence of any laws, regulations or rules; Bridgepoint professionals will conduct themselves with the highest standards of professional conduct in interactions and dealings including all levels of government – municipal, provincial and federal – as well as other public sector and private sector institutions.

ARTICLE III – PROFESSIONALISM

Bridgepoint professionals will conduct business development, government relations and other activities in a fair and professional manner.

3.1	Bridgepoint professionals will have an understanding of the legislative and governmental process and such specialized knowledge as is necessary to represent clients or other strategic partners in a competent, professional manner.
3.2	Bridgepoint professionals will maintain their understanding of governmental processes and specialized knowledge through appropriate methods such as continuing study, seminar and similar sessions in order to represent clients or other strategic partners in a competent, professional manner.
3.3	Bridgepoint professionals will treat others – both allies and adversaries – with respect and civility.

ARTICLE IV - DUTY TO PUBLIC SECTOR INSTITUTIONS

In addition to fulfilling duties and responsibilities to the client or other strategic partner, Bridgepoint professionals will exhibit proper respect for public sector institutions before which professionals represent and advocate clients' interests.

4.1	Bridgepoint professionals will not act in any manner that will undermine public confidence and trust in the democratic governmental process.
4.2	Bridgepoint professionals will not act in a manner that shows disrespect for public sector institutions.

ARTICLE V – CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Bridgepoint professionals will not continue or undertake representations that may create conflicts of interest without informed consent of the client or potential client involved.

5.1	Bridgepoint professionals will not advocate a position on an issue if the professionals are also representing a client on the same issue with a conflicting position.
5.2	Bridgepoint professionals will disclose all potential conflicts to the client or prospective client and discuss and resolve the conflicts promptly.

ARTICLE VI – DUE DILIGENCE & BEST EFFORTS

Bridgepoint professionals will vigorously and diligently advance and advocate the client’s or other strategic partner’s interests.

6.1	Bridgepoint professionals will devote adequate time, attention, and resources to the client’s or other strategic partner’s interests.
6.2	Bridgepoint professionals will exercise loyalty to the client’s or other strategic partner’s interests.
6.3	Bridgepoint professionals will keep the client or other strategic partner informed regarding the work that the professional is undertaking and, to the extent possible, should give the client the opportunity to choose between various options and strategies.

ARTICLE VII – CONFIDENTIALITY

Bridgepoint professionals will maintain appropriate confidentiality of client and other strategic partner information.

7.1	Bridgepoint professionals will not disclose confidential information without the client’s or employer’s informed consent.
7.2	Bridgepoint professionals will not use confidential client information against the interest of a client or strategic partner.

ARTICLE VIII – COMPENSATION & ENGAGEMENT TERMS

Bridgepoint professionals will have a written agreement with the client regarding the terms and conditions for the firm’s services, including the amount and basis for compensation.