THUNDER BAY — The members of Thunder Bay's newly-elected city council will have to consider the ramifications of their behaviour more carefully than their predecessors ever had to.
For the first time, councillors' actions will be governed by a Municipal Code of Conduct, and violations could result in sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension of remuneration for three months.
Under provincial legislation passed last year, all Ontario municipalities are required to establish codes of behaviour for councillors and certain local boards.
Thunder Bay's city administration has drafted the new code, and has posted a Request for Proposals from individuals interested in the job of enforcing the guidelines as the city's Integrity Commissioner.
The code covers 18 broad areas.
"It's what we call a principle-based document," said City Clerk John Hannam.
"Rather than try to anticipate a long list of things that council members might do wrong, it covers a number of general principles," Hannam said.
He said the code covers things such as gifts, benefits and hospitality, among others.
"What's reasonable for them to accept as a gift, or be hosted in a situation...their conduct with business people in the community...their general conduct...are they nice to people or not...improper use of influence...how they act in the workplace....what their relationship is with staff and the general public."
The provincial legislation also requires that codes cover the handling of confidential information and the use of municipal property.
Thunder Bay's proposed code will be presented to the new council for consideration by January.
An integrity commissioner must be appointed by March.
In addition to investigating complaints about the behaviour of individual councillors under the code of conduct, Hannam said the commissioner will provide interpretation of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act for councillors requesting it.
Advice from a lawyer may be necessary in some situations.
Codes of conduct are separate from the Conflict of Interest Act which confines itself to pecuniary conflicts of interest, Hannam said, and provides for more severe penalties.
If a complaint filed under that legislation results in a charge, a judge has the authority to remove a councillor from office and/or prohibit the individual from running in the next election.
