Jeff Burgar
Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver is absolutely right to strike so-called “Code of Conduct” from local jurisdiction rules.
McIver is also correct that such rules are being “weaponized” by some councillors and used to attack other councillors.
There is no doubt that over the years in Alberta, there have been many such attacks. There were attacks before Code of Conduct rules were commonplace. Attacks, or at least councillors looking to demean, belittle, or run out of office some of their fellow councillors, became increasingly commonplace several years ago. So common in fact, one of Alberta’s foremost legal firms created their own policies in no small part to slow down such behaviour.
It was the practice at this company, if it was the official legal company of choice for a community, any councillor could phone up a rep there and ask for advice. As time went on, the “advice” asked for was all too often preparation for an attack. The inquiry was thinly disguised as “just wondering” if another councillor was doing something wrong. Really?
A duly elected councillor needs advice how to read the Municipal Government Act, the guide book on how towns and cities and counties, MD’s even Metis Settlements are run? Can’t a well-paid CAO give an answer? Why not a mayor or reeve?
But usually, CAOs don’t like getting into internal arguments. And often, it’s a mayor or reeve in the councillor’s sights. Plus, the MGA is weak on explaining rules.
Anyway, the legal firm slowed the “inquiries” to a dull roar by telling their municipal customers all “inquiries” had to now go through either the mayor, or the CAO.
But worst of all, the department responsible, Municipal Affairs, all too often refuses to take any action or even investigate when wrongdoing is suspected of being afoot. Their sorry excuse is they don’t think it is right to get involved in local arguments.
So, we end up with situations across Canada. Every week there seems to be at least one or two local governments or school boards kicking off a Code of Conduct investigation. These things cost taxpayers money.
In southern Alberta, a recent case ran up a bill of over $100,000. That Code of Conduct investigation muzzled the affected councillor. And under the old story of “If the cops charged him, he must be guilty,” it had everybody in that community wonder what the heck was going on? The councillor involved was finally absolved of any misdoings.
High Prairie’s recent debacle, characterized as a witch hunt by one of the two councillors involved, cost that town over $40,000 in direct fees to the private investigator. Extra fees for meetings and travel have never been released.
If Municipal Affairs wants better councillors, Code of Conduct are not the best way. Enforced training for elected officials, too many of whom can’t read a financial statement or the MGA, is one way. And might as well include CAOs, senior staff and Municipal Affairs officials who can read, but won’t follow.