Conflict of Interest Rules

Whereas when an elected official or senior staff leaves their municipal role and takes a new role with a private firm that does business with the municipality it undermines the publics trust in the elected official or senior staff member. Elected officials and senior civil servants have valuable knowledge and relationships that can potentially create unfair and profitable advantage for new employers simply because of the position they currently occupy with the City; And whereas conflict of interest rules improve public confidence in municipal governance. Many municipal codes of conduct prohibit individuals from relaying confidential information for the purpose of securing a private benefit for themselves or for any other person, and requires avoidance of voting on issues when they personally think they are in conflict, but does not address conflict of interest post-employment or for family members. On December 12, 2018 Vancouver City Council resolved to ask its staff to report back on how Vancouver can improve its current Conflict of Interest Policy concerning elected officials and senior staff, and resolved to bring this issue to UBCM: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM encourage other municipalities to consider adopting Conflict of Interest rules.