Members of the District of Houston council are now studying the four pages of a proposed code of conduct meant to guide their actions as elected officials and guide relations between themselves, District employees and members of the public.
Codes of conduct are now strongly recommended by the provincial government for local governments and school boards and the decision to implement a code must have been made within six months of the last local election.
A council does not have to adopt a code but must disclose the reasons why. And even if a council decides not to, that decision must be reconsidered before January 1 of the year of the next general election.
In this circumstance, council members were presented with the draft code at their May 16 meeting and will speak about it again at their June 6 meeting.
The code covers more than 15 specific areas of conduct with the overriding provision, as stated in the code, that “members shall act in the public interest by conducting council business with integrity, in a fair, honest and open manner.”
They must “refrain from abusive or disrespectful conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of other members of council, committees, the District staff or the public.”
Crucial to the code is complying with the province’s Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and following the recommendations within the federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission as they pertain to local governments.
One of those recommendations is to “repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands ….”
Council members must also not disclose confidential information “without proper authorization, no use such information to advance their own or anyone else’s personal, financial or other private interests.
And while council members can express individual opinions, they must indicate they do not represent the council or the District of Houston nor lead anyone to believe they do.
The code also encourages a positive work environment and that requests for information from District employees should be directed through the District’s chief administrative officer or a designated director of one of the District’s functions.
The council may impose sanctions against a council member who does not comply with the code but the extent or substance of any sanctions being considered is not defined.
The council member must be provided with a report outlining allegations and possible sanctions and must be given a chance to respond.
Council members, in their review of the proposed code, can suggest adjustments or additions.