WSIB receives annual ethics and governance refresher emphasizing disclosure, conflicts and OPMA compliance

Legal and compliance staff provided an ethics and governance briefing aimed at reinforcing disclosure, conflicts management and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) compliance.

Key points delivered by Liz Smith included: • Disclosure and recusal: Board members must disclose relationships, ownership and other potential conflicts so staff can evaluate recusal or mitigation; disclosure protects both trustees and decision processes. • Personal investments and preclearance: Voting trustees should report accounts that can hold non‑exempt securities and obtain preapproval for non‑exempt trades unless investments are in properly documented managed accounts. • Gifts, entertainment and travel: WSIB policy is intentionally conservative; a hosted reception may be permissible but full meals or entertainment from a potential service provider generally are not permitted without review and reporting. • Confidential information and MPI: Material nonpublic information must not be used for personal gain; trustees were urged to call legal counsel when unsure. • Public records and OPMA: Technology and informal communications can create public‑records and OPMA exposure; trustees were advised to avoid hub‑and‑spoke communications that could constitute deliberations outside noticed meetings.

Board members asked practical questions about committee education sessions, whether committee attendance by outside trustees can create a quorum risk, and training frequency. Staff reiterated the board’s low risk tolerance for reputational issues and emphasized that the goal of these policies is to protect public trust rather than to punish.

The briefing concluded with reminders about procurement integrity (avoid discussing procurement matters with potential service providers outside properly noticed meetings) and reporting duties for public records requests.