The Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę Gots'ę́ Nákedı (Sahtú Renewable Resources Board - SRRB) regularly assesses how the Board can maintain a fair and independent process for decision-making on wildlife and wildlife habitat matters in the unique context of a northern Aboriginal land claim area. The SRRB has developed, and is making publicly available, these Conflict of Interest Guidelines in order to be transparent about the process that the SRRB follows to ensure a fair and independent process for making decisions.

The document includes:

• An overview of procedural fairness requirements for the SRRB
• A list of expectations of Board members

• Five guidelines for disclosing and determining conflicts of interest

These Operating Procedures of the Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę Gots'ę́ Nákedı include procedures related to public hearings, including:

1.3 Powers

1.3.16. Hearings: The Board may make rules respecting the procedures for conducting hearings, making
application, representations and complaints. The Board may hold public hearings when
considered desirable and shall do so when considering Total Allowable Harvest and a
Sahtu Needs Level for a species (SDMCLCA 13.8.18 and 13.8.21).

3.4 Public Hearings

3.4.1. Consultation: The Board may consult with Government, Sahtu communities, the public and with
RRCs and may do so by means of informal meetings or public hearings (SDMCLCA 13.8.20).

3.4.2. Holding Public Hearings: The Board may hold a public hearing when it has determined that such a hearing is desirable (SDMCLCA 13.8.21(a)).

3.4.3. Total Allowable Harvest: A public hearing shall be held when the Board intends to consider a Total Allowable Harvest and a Sahtu Minimum Needs Level in respect of a species or population of wildlife, which has not been subject to a Total Allowable Harvest Level within the previous two years (SDMCLCA 13.8.21.(b)).

3.4.4. Location of Hearing: Public hearings may be held at such place or places in the SSA as the Board may
designate (SDMCLCA 13.8.22).

3.4.5. Public Inquiries & Powers: The Board shall have the powers of a commissioner under part 1 of the Inquiries Act, R.S. 1985, c. I-11. The Board may not, however, subpoena Ministers (SDMCLCA 3.8.19).

3.4.6. Evidence: The Board has the power of summoning before it any witnesses and may require them to:
a) Give evidence orally, or in writing, and on an oath or, if they are persons entitled to affirm in civil matters, on solemn affirmation, and
b) Produce such documents and things the Board deems requisite to the full investigation of the matters into which it has decided to examine.

3.4.7. Attendance of Witness: The Board has the same power to enforce the attendance of a witness and to compel them to give evidence as is vested in any court of record in civil cases. SDMCLCA 3.8.19).