The Working Group on Responsible Conduct (Working Group) is seeking feedback to guide the development of a code of conduct framework for local elected officials, including processes for establishing, adopting, maintaining and enforcing a code of conduct. The survey is open to individual local government elected officials along with CAOs and CCOs. CAOs are asked to convey the survey link to Council and Board members. The deadline for submissions is May 15.
The Working Group has found that provinces with enforcement provisions also have legislation that requires local governments to adopt a code of conduct. As a result, local governments lose the choice about adoption of a code of conduct, but gain an enhanced enforcement ability. The survey will seek views on making a code of conduct mandatory for all local governments.
The key components of a code of conduct framework include processes for establishing, adopting, maintaining and enforcing the code of conduct. The Working Group is also looking for feedback on the balance between standardized rules and local flexibility if local codes of conduct were to be mandatory in legislation in B.C.
The survey also explores a range of other questions in relation to enforcement, including how complaints should be managed; how breaches might be investigated; and what an acceptable range of penalties might look like.
If you have questions with regard to the survey, please contact Paul Taylor, UBCM Director of Communications at (250) 356-2938.