(file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Code of conduct

City looking at Code of Ethics bylaw

Apr 14, 2022 | 8:00 AM

The City of North Battleford is in the process of reviewing a proposed Code of Ethics bylaw pertaining to council.

The issue was discussed at this week’s council meeting.

According to the Cities Act for municipalities in Saskatchewan a municipal council is required to adopt a code of ethics for all their council members. The code of ethics bylaw defines the standards and values council expects members to comply with in their dealings with each other, employees of the city, and the public.

When discussing the bylaw, Coun. Bill Ironstand questioned some wording related to permission given to a councillor to speak to the press.

According to the city’s communications policy, the mayor, or deputy mayor in lieu of the mayor, has authority to speak on behalf of council decisions as a whole, as the chief spokesperson. If an individual councillor wishes to speak to the media, he or she does so representing a personal opinion only. For example, if a councillor voted against a particular proposal while the majority of council voted in favour, that councillor may wish to have the opportunity to express his or her personal views on a matter.

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Ironstand wanted to make sure he still has an opportunity to voice his views on a topic.

“I have a voice and an opinion; it may not be what yours is…” he said, adding that each elected member of council should have a right to speak to the public.

Coun. Len Taylor did note that every decision council makes is a public decision, made with debate in a public arena, “where all council members have an opportunity to express their opinions…”

Council carried second reading of the Code of Ethics bylaw, after previously giving it first reading. The bylaw will be presented for third reading at the next council meeting.

Under the Code of Ethics bylaw, each member of council must uphold the following seven standards and values: honesty and integrity, objectivity, respect, transparency and accountability, confidentiality, leadership and the public interest, and responsibility.

Mayor David Gillan noted if the bylaw is approved the city will also need to have an appointed integrity commissioner or an ad hoc commissioner in the future, in the event a complaint is received at any time that needs to be investigated.

The integrity commissioner’s role is to provide a ruling and recommendations following an investigation.

City Manager Randy Patrick noted this cost will be included in the city’s budget next year, beginning in 2023.

“Up until this year we haven’t had to budget anything for it because we haven’t had any issues,” he said. “So it is something we probably will be looking to budgeting starting next year.”

City Clerk Stacey Hadley mentioned the fee to retain an integrity commissioner would be $2,500, based on what was quoted to the city previously.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow