Local leaders from across Ontario are calling on the provincial government to strengthen proposed legislation that would introduce a standardized code of conduct for municipal officials.
At the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference, several mayors told QP Briefing that the Municipal Accountability Act, also known as Bill 9, represents a step forward, but will only become a useful tool if it’s amended this fall.
Among other things, Bill 9 gives municipal councils the ability to remove councillors who have violated the proposed code of conduct. Should the local integrity commissioner identify a violation, the municipal council could remove the misbehaving councillor from office through a unanimous vote.