I would see it as an obligation. In fact, there's a real, live example. One of the former premiers of British Columbia, Premier Glen Clark, was ultimately charged with giving a bribe in respect of construction on his summer cottage. Before the charge was laid, a complaint or a request for an opinion was made with respect to his conduct and an inquiry was launched. The inquiry proceeded. Then the charge was laid, but the inquiry continued to proceed, albeit in camera, which was something that they did rather on the wing. There wasn't anything in the act that could help them out on that.
The criminal proceedings ended with an acquittal. After that, the result of the proceedings that occurred in front of the conflict of interest inquiry was announced, and he was found to have been in conflict of interest.