WHEREAS Section 120 of the Community Charter, Oath or affirmation of office, requires the mayor and other members of council to take an oath of office upon election; AND WHEREAS the Local Government Elections Regulation 38093 establishes a prescribed oath to be used where a council has not established an oath or affirmation by bylaw; AND WHEREAS the prescribed oath requires that the mayor and other members of council faithfully perform their duties, which would include the Charter Duty to respect confidentiality: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the provincial government make changes to the prescribed oath that would make it clear that the oath includes the Duty to respect confidentiality contained in Section 117 of the Community Charter; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this change also extend to the Vancouver Charter.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES Section 120 2 of the Community Charter indicates a council may, by bylaw, establish the oath or solemn affirmation of office that is different from the oath or solemn affirmation contained in the Local Government Elections Regulation 38093. Therefore, any municipality that wants to include words in their oath or solemn affirmation that relate to the duty of a council member to respect confidentiality can do so with the enactment of the necessary bylaw.