If you think there's an important rule for council members to follow, now is the time to add it to the list.
The town is working on a new code of conduct for municipal government in Collingwood and it's out for public discussion now through Nov. 7.
So far, the council/local board code of conduct includes rules focused on 18 areas:
- Conflict of interest
- Gifts, benefits, and hospitality
- Member's role in charitable and community events
- Confidential information
- Use of town resources
- Election campaigns
- Improper use of influence
- Business relations
- Member conduct
- Media communications
- Respect for town bylaws and policies
- Respectful workplace
- Conduct respecting staff
- Employment of council relatives/family members
- Not undermine, work against council's decisions
- Reprisals and obstruction
- Acting on advice of the integrity commissioner
- Implementation and ongoing training
You can read the proposed code of conduct for council and boards here.
The initial Collingwood Code of Ethics was created in 2007 and was mostly unchanged until the current code of conduct was established in 2015. After the Collingwood Judicial Inquiry Report was received by the town in Fall 2020, the town endeavoured to modify the code based on recommendations out of the inquiry.
The town will be accepting public input until Nov. 7, then staff will create a final draft of the code of conduct for council and local boards, and the code for advisory committees and task forces. According to the town website, council will get to vote on the final draft on Nov. 22, 2021.
If you'd like to make suggestions for what to include in the new code of conduct, you can submit a comment on the Engage Collingwood webpage here.
