Reverse ill-advised, unworkable city decision
Victoria’s city council has breached the trust of voters under its proposed code of conduct by shutting out the general public from making complaints directly to an independent third-party.
Elected officials should be reminded “responsible conduct is grounded in principles such as integrity, accountability, respect, and leadership and collaboration in a way that furthers a local government’s ability to provide good governance to their community.”
So says the province in the local governance and powers section of its website on “Responsible conduct of locally elected officials”.
A code of conduct then is meant to address such issues as disputes among elected officials on municipal council and regional district boards, mistreatment of staff members, conflict of interest violations, alleged breaches of procedures or rules during meetings or the duty to respect confidentiality, marginalization of specific council or board members, and inappropriate use of social media.
The argument made by Coun. Dave Thompson – supported by Couns. Matt Dell, Jeremy Caradonna, Krista Loughton, and Susan Kim – sees public complaints going through individual councillors.
That approach is unworkable and puts them in a direct conflict of interest. Councillors shouldn’t be placed in that impossible position with their colleagues or political adversaries or the public.
‘Vexatious complaints or those without merit’ can be screened out by a regional complaints commissioner or an individual hired to fulfill that role. This approach through an independent third-party – such as Vancouver-based The Integrity Group – will be seen by the public as fair and just.
To do otherwise is seen as a decision contrary to the advice of staff, and a condescending move supported by rookie councillors. Nor will it help rebuild faith in municipal governance, undoing much of the commendable work council has done so far on the governance file.
Councillors, it’s time to be bold, to talk to voters and reverse this ill-advised decision. It troubles us that this decision might foreshadow other failures of courage in your broader governance review.
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Victoria councillors at odds over who can file a complaint under code of conduct: Mayor Marianne Alto said she was disheartened at amendments that cut the public out, Times Colonist, Aug. 4 ,2023.
MNP Governance Review, 2022.
Is a great municipal governance reboot underway?, Times Colonist, Aug. 5, 2023.
Editorial: Victoria council governance report has lessons for candidates, Times Colonist, July 27, 2022.
A regional integrity commissioner critical to success of codes of conduct: Consistent treatment of all council complaints needed, Grumpy Taxpayer$ Press release, Aug. 1, 2023.
Available for Media Interviews:
John Treleaven, Chair, Grumpy Taxpayer$
250.656.7899, cell 250.588.7899
Stan Bartlett, Vice-chair, Grumpy Taxpayer$
250-477-9907