Support for a Provincial Code of Conduct for Local Government Elected Officials

Whereas there is no current legislation to hold elected officials, across the province, to a consistent set of standards of accountability for their behavior and actions; And whereas elected officials should have a right to a respectful and safe workplace; The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution calling on the Province to develop a code of conduct, which is informed by a review of elected official experiences and with input from equity seeking groups, that is overseen by the Province, so that all elected officials have access to a consistent, formal set of standards and process for complaint against other elected officials. However, the Committee notes that the UBCM membership endorsed resolution 2019-B83 that asked the Province to either create a Municipal Conflict of Interest Commissioner or expand the powers of the BC Conflict of Interest Commissioner, in order to remedy conflict of interest complaints. Endorsed resolutions 2010-B1 and 2007-B66 also called on the Province to expand the role of the BC Conflict of Interest Commissioner to include matters arising at the local government level. In the Fall of 2016 UBCM, jointly with the Local Government Management Association LGMA and the Province, established a staff level working group to undertake collaborative research and policy work on the issue of responsible conduct of local government elected officials. The Working Group on Responsible Government created a set of principles and general standards that local governments can use to develop their own Code of Conduct. In March 2021, the Working Group also released a database of external resources to support local governments with specific needs identified in their own communities. LINK: https:www.lgma.caexternalresource The Committee would also note that resolution 2020-NR6 called on the Province to establish an Independent Office of Integrity to work towards the development, application and enforcement of Codes of Conduct for local government. 2020-NR6 was referred to the UBCM Executive due to a lack of time at Convention. The Executive referred 2020-NR6 to the Working Group on Responsible Conduct. Additionally, the Committee notes that the membership endorsed resolution 2016-B103 that asked UBCM to implement a code of conduct for its conferences and events. That Code of Conduct is now in place.