It’s hoped there will be fewer local politicians behaving badly once municipal legislation mandates standardized codes of conduct.
The province says “…conduct issues can include bullying or harassment in meetings, harassment of staff or disrespectful behaviour between elected officials that can make governing a community challenging.”
In November 2021 the province gave municipalities the option – for some unknown reason – to enact a code of conduct within six months or explain the reason for the decision to residents. The code would regulate activities within council, and behaviour toward municipal staff and the general public.
How did that turn out?
To date about 32% of 161 municipalities and 19% of 27 regional districts never bothered to adopt a code of conduct. And unbelievably, 29% of local governments with a code decided not to have an enforcement mechanism.
Certainly, it’s a step forward if municipalities and regions in BC would follow the same complaint and investigation steps, supported by what are deemed independent investigators.
Likewise, if a defined range of sanctions would be available for the councils and regional boards, including a maximum 90‑day suspension without pay. There also needs to be clear reporting requirements for the public to ensure transparency.
Unfortunately, code of conduct complaints can only be filed by council and staff. So residents and taxpayers would continue to be directly shut out of the process, (although they can ask a council member to file a complaint).
While gleeful about these proposed legislative changes, it remains to be seen if public trust, accountability and transparency will improve here and elsewhere.
The devil, as they say, will be in the details if Bill 17 is passed by this fall.
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