Corporate Governance in Crown Corporations and Other Public Enterprises - Guidelines

Table of Contents

Message from the Minister of Finance and the President of the Treasury Board.

Message from the Advisory Group on Crown Corporations.

Members of the Advisory Group on Crown Corporations.

Introduction.

The Crown Corporation Perspective.

Guidelines:

Stewardship of the Corporation.

Guideline (1) Board Responsibilities.

• Approving the Strategic Direction.
• Identification of Principle Risks.
• Succession Planning.
• Importance of Information.
• The Audit Regime.

Guideline (2) Public Policy Objectives .

• Documenting Public Policy Objectives.
• Appreciating the Contemporary Trade-Offs.
• Assessing the Relevance of the Mandate.

Guideline (3) Communications.

• Communications Responsibilities.
• Reporting Responsibilities.

Working with Management.

Guideline (4) Board and Management Relations.

• Allocating Responsibilities.
• Building a Relationship.
• Establishing Accountability.

Guideline (5) Board Independence.

• The Roles of the Chair and the CEO.
• Meeting as a Board.
• Public Servants as Directors.
• The Use of Committees.
• Independent Advice.
• Conflict of Interest.

Guideline (6) The Position of the CEO.

• Assessing the CEO's Position.
• Evaluating Performance.

Functioning of the Board.

Guideline (7) Renewal of the Board.

• Assessing the Board.
• Renewal of the Board.

Guideline (8) Education of Directors.

• New Directors.
• Ongoing Education.

Guideline (9) Compensation.

Guideline (10) Responsibility for Corporate Governance.

These Guidelines are Signposts.

References.