The following is a statement delivered by Mayor Jyoti Gondek in response to the proposed amendments made by Alberta Municipal Affairs in the Municipal Government Act on April 9th, 2025.
As Mayor of our city, I want to address one of the recent changes introduced by the Alberta Municipal Affairs in the Municipal Government Act. The amendments proposed, particularly the repeal of the council code of conduct requirements, are concerning. This change removes a critical framework that holds our elected officials accountable for their actions, fostering transparency and integrity in our municipal government.
It’s crucial to understand that without a code of conduct, there’s a significant gap in how we manage and challenge inappropriate behaviors among council members. This doesn’t just affect the internal workings of the council but also impacts public trust and confidence in how our city is governed.
For instance, consider a scenario where a council member may be accused of bullying. Without a formal code of conduct and clear disciplinary procedures, addressing these accusations becomes problematic and may not be handled with the seriousness they warrant. Similarly, we need strict guidelines to ensure there is no conflict of interest or perception of being influenced unduly in situations where council members might accept inappropriate gifts from third parties, like tickets to major sporting events or trips to tropical destinations.
Other concerns may arise around councillors staff, who are not city staff but whose salaries are paid by the taxpayers, potentially working on political campaigns during work hours. This not only misuses public funds but also blurs the lines between public service and political activities.
The role of a code of conduct is not merely procedural, it is fundamental to ensuring that our elected officials and their staff can be held accountable in a structured way. While the provincial government has established ministerial authority to set standard meeting procedures, this is in NO WAY a substitute for a robust, enforceable code of conduct that addresses behavior directly – whether in meetings or outside of meetings.
I am committed to exploring all available avenues to ensure that our council operates under a framework of integrity and accountability. This includes working closely with other municipal leaders to advocate for the reinstatement of the code of conduct or finding other effective ways to maintain high standards of conduct within our city council.
The trust of our citizens is paramount, and we must strive to preserve it by ensuring our city council reflects the values and standards our community expects and deserves.