Thank you, Chair.
There are several ways in which the agency's independence is safeguarded. The composition and structure given to the agency under the act include several specific safeguards to ensure that the CTA is not controlled or inappropriately influenced by the government or others. Then the agency has adopted additional safeguards to maintain its independence and impartiality.
Some of those key safeguards include the rules regarding the selection and appointment of agency members by the Governor in Council, along with the provisions in the act regarding members' tenure. There are conflict-of-interest prohibitions under the act, as well as other statutes' requirements governing the conduct of members and employees, which are set out in our code of conduct and our values and ethics code and are embedded in various agency practices.
We have rules, guidelines and practices for complaints and determinations to ensure a fair process. For example, agency members decide cases based solely on the material that is filed in the record of proceedings, on which the parties have had an opportunity to comment, to prevent improper external influence.
There are also CTA practices when engaging with government officials, industry stakeholders and consumer and disability rights organizations, first and foremost of which is that the merits of specific cases are not discussed.
With these safeguards in place, I think the agency fulfills its administrative decision-making function in an independent and impartial manner. I think that was the answer to the question, Chair.