Integrity Commissioner for Local Government

Whereas the current legislative tools available to local government in British Columbia regarding matters of questionable conduct and breaches of code of conduct of elected officials result in expensive quasi-judicial processes eroding public confidence, strained internal relationships, and produce limited viable outcomes; And whereas elected officials in local government do not have access to independent advice regarding conflict of interest or other matters related to Codes of Conduct, nor an effective process to objectively resolve contraventions, accusations or public complaints: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to enact enabling legislation that would empower local governments with the ability to appoint local independent Integrity Commissioners who would serve the public and elected officials in an advisory, educational and investigative role in the application and enforcement of Codes of Conduct.