Elected officials from across Ontario may be put on notice if a bill introduced by the provincial government goes through.
Legislation was introduced Thursday that would make changes to the Municipal Accountability Act.
If passed, the bill would create a standard code of conduct for elected representatives, require code of conduct training for councillors and members of certain boards, and create an integrity commissioner process that would be consistent provincewide.
Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra said the bill was created because of the need for a standardized process.
"We had to make sure we got this right, which is why we worked with Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner to find the best path forward to create a standardized code of conduct process across the province," said Calandra.
The most dramatic change proposed in the bill will allow for an elected official to be removed and disqualified from office if they are found guilty of serious violations, and only under the following criteria.
The member has contravened the code.
The violation is serious in nature.
The alleged conduct has resulted in harm to the health, safety, and well-being of people.
Existing penalties are not enough to address the violation or ensure it will not happen again.
Only the integrity commissioner at the municipal level would be able to make that determination. A unanimous vote from other council members must then be recorded, along with a concurrent report from the Ontario Integrity Commissioner.
Debate on the legislation will likely take place in the new year, as the legislature has adjourned for the winter holiday break.
