b'THE TRIBUNALS GOVERNANCE STRUCTUREThe independence of the Tribunal and of its adjudicat- member who reviewed the application for review and ing members is essential to the proper functioning ofinclude their reasons. The Decision Review Committee the Tribunal. Members must be free to make their deci- enables the Tribunal members, if so desired, to discuss sions based on reasons that they deem appropriate,various legal issues in a collegial forum. Discussion according to their analysis. promotestransparencyinthereasonsreviewpro-cess and facilitates coherence and consistency in the Notwithstanding that independence, section 43 of theTribunals decisions. AgricultureandAgri-FoodAdministrativeMonetary PenaltiesActprovidesthatmembersmayconsultReasons Review Policy each other on matters before the Tribunal. To provideItisfundamentalforanyadministrativetribunalto a framework for those consultations and preserve theestablish a clear policy on reviewing reasons. The pur-membersindependence,theTribunalChairpersonpose of the policy is to preserve the independence of established a governance structure that will be imple- the Tribunal members. At any time, the members can mented early in the next fiscal year. That structure con- exercise their discretion to accept or reject the com-sists of three pillars: the Members Code of Conduct,ments expressed during the Review Committee about theDecisionReviewCommitteeandtheReasonsthe reasons for their decisions. This policy supports Review Policy. the Tribunals objective of promoting consistency and Members Code of Conducttransparency in the reasons review process.The Code of Conduct sets out the standards of con- Ultimately,thisgovernancestructuredemonstrates duct and the other obligations governing the Tribunalthe full transparency of the members activities, while membersprofessionalresponsability.Thedevelop- respecting their independence and that of the Tribunal.ment of the code demonstrates the importance that the Tribunal places on its objective of providing the parties with a review process which is impartial, independent, fair, and expeditious.Decision Review CommitteeTheTribunalrendersdecisionsonallrequestsfor review of the validity of administrative monetary pen-alties imposed for agriculture and agri-food violations. Those decisions are rendered in writing by the Tribunal 16 CANADA AGRICULTURAL REVIEW TRIBUNAL'