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## LETHBRIDGE COUNTY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA
## COUNCILLORS' CODE OF CONDUCT BYLAW BYLAW 17-004
## A BYLAW OF LETHBRIDGE COUNTY, IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA, TO ESTABLISH COUNCILLOR CODE OF CONDUCT.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 145 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), Chapter M-26 of the statutes of Alberta, a council may pass bylaws in relation to the procedure and conduct of council;
AND WHEREAS the citizens and the taxpayers of Lethbridge County have the right to be served by a Council committed to conducting its service in an ethical and professional manner. It is important that there not be, nor appear to be, an onflict between the private interests of each Councillor and his/her duty to th public;
AND WHEREAS the purpose of this Code of Conduct shall be to uphold these principles governing the conduct of Councillors so Councillors maintain the highest standards while faithfully discharging their duties;
NOW THEREFORE under the authority and pursuant to the provisions of the said Municipal Government Act, and by virtue of all other enabling powers, the Council of Lethbridge County, duly assembled, enacts as follows:
## CONDUCT OF COUNCILLORS
The Councillors of Lethbridge County, when acting as a Councillor, shall abide and adhere to the following principles that form this Code of Conduct, by signing Schedule "A" attached to this bylaw, and shall:
- a) Govern individual conduct in accordance with the requirements set out in The Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, or any other Act of the Government of Canada or the Province of Alberta, and the bylaws and policies approved by the Councillors of Lethbridge County;
- b) Treat fellow Councillors, administration and the public with respect, concern, and courtesy;
- c) Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity and honesty in order to foster the public trust and confidence in Lethbridge County;
- d) Communicate and work with fellow Councillors in an open and honest manner promoting a spirit of cooperation by listening and respecting those opinions that may differ;
- e) Recognize when interacting with the public, no individual authority exists except where explicitly authorized by a Council resolution, bylaw, or policy;
- f) Recognize when interacting with the press, individual Councillors do not speak for Lethbridge County except where explicitly authorized by a Council resolution, bylaw or policy;
- g) Recognize an individual Councillor cannot exercise individual authority over Lethbridge County;
- h) Recognize, when interacting with the Chief Administrative Officer, the lack of authority vested in a Councillor to direct the Chief Administrative Officer, except where explicitly authorized by a Council resolution, bylaw, or policy;
- i) Direct any comments regarding staff performance, to the Reeve who shall communicate those matters to the Chief Administrative Officer, recognizing that the Chief Administrative Officer is the only employee of the Council;
- j) Not use the position of Councillor to benefit one's self or any other individual apart from the interest of Lethbridge County, and avoid placing one's self in a position where there may be a real or perceived conflict of interest or apprehension of bias;
- k) Not use or attempt to use Lethbridge County's funds, property or information for the personal benefit of the Councillor or for the personal gain or benefit of any other individual;
- 1) Devote time, thought, and attention to the duties of a Councillor so effective and knowledgeable decisions can be made on behalf of the citizens and taxpayers;
- m) Develop and evaluate goals and policies through Council, to meet the needs and expectations of the public;
- n) Attend Council orientation and ongoing training to foster a better understanding of a Councillor's duties and obligations;
- 0) Protect privileged information learned during the course of the duties of a Councillor and preserve the confidentiality of information provided to them, concerning confidential matters of Lethbridge County;
- p) Not use confidential information to advance the personal, financial, or private interests of one's self or any other individual;
- q) Not surrender the responsibilities and obligations of a Councillor to any other person, group, or organization;
11. Disclose to Council any behavior or activity that may qualify as corruption, abuse, fraud, bribery, or conflict of interest as identified by The Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, or any other Act of the Government of Canada or the Province of Alberta, or the bylaws and policies of Lethbridge County;
12. Endeavour to make decisions as a Council based on objective criteria and information available regarding an allegation made under this bylaw.
- t) Fully disclose the nature and applicable information as a Council, regarding an allegation of a breach of this bylaw to the Councillor, in question, in a timely manner.
## HEARING PROCESS
The Council, when considering an alleged breach of this bylaw shall provide sufficient opportunity for the Councillor, who is the subject of the allegation, to address Council.
## BREACH OF BYLAW 17-004
If, in the opinion of a majority of the members of Council, a Councillor breaches any of the principles found in this Code of Conduct, courses of action taken by Council, may include but are not limited to:
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- a) Requiring the Councillor to provide a verbal apology to the impacted individual, organization, or Council as a whole; and/or
- b) Requiring the Councillor to provide a written apology provided to the impacted individual, organization, or Council as a whole, and in any case, placed in the personnel file of the Councillor; and/or
- c) Removing the Councillor from Council Committees; and/or
- d) Dismissing the Councillor from a position of Reeve, Deputy Reeve or Chairperson of a Council Committee; and/or
- e) Issuing a directive to the Councilior to attend 3rd party educational training on ethical and respectful conduct, at the expense of Lethbridge County.
A decision to apply one or more of the actions detailed above requires a simple majority of Council directing the Councillor to do all or some of those actions.
All discussions surrounding allegations and substantiated violations of this bylaw shall be conducted at an In Camera meeting of Council only, with the information being kept in confidence under the appropriate sections of The Municipal Government Act and The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
GIVEN first reading this 17th day of August, 2017.
GIVEN second reading this 17th day of August
Reeve
Hicky
Chier Administrative Officer
GIVEN third reading this 7th day of August
, 20L7.
\_ 2017.
Chief Administrative Officer
Notes:
First Reading (date)
Public Hearing (date)
Second Reading (date)
Third Reading (date)
Auy 17/17
uq 17/!
## Schedule "A"
I recognize that I have a responsibility to assure that ethical standards are understood and met so that the public will have confidence in the integrity of the Council. In recognition of my commitment as a Councillor of Lethbridge County, I promise that I will:
- a) Govern my conduct in accordance with the requirements set out in The Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M26, and/or any other Act of the Government of Canada or the Province of Alberta, as well as the bylaws and policies duly approved by the Council of Lethbridge County;
- b) Treat fellow Councillors, administration and the public with respect, concern, and courtesy;
3. Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity and honesty in order to foster the public trust and confidence in Lethbridge County;
4. Communicate and work with fellow Councillors in an open and honest manner promoting a spirit of cooperation by listening and respecting those opinions that may differ with mine;
- e) Recognize, when interacting with the public, no individual authority exists except where explicitly authorized by a Council resolution, bylaw, or policy;
- f) Recognize when interacting with the press, individual Councillors do not speak for the municipality except where explicitly authorized by a Council resolution, bylaw or policy;
7. Make no attempt to exercise individual authority over Lethbridge County;
- h) Recognize, when interacting with the Chief Administrative Officer, the lack of authority vested in a Councillor to direct the Chief Administrative Officer, except when explicitly authorized by a Council resolution, bylaw or policy;
9. Direct any comments regarding staff performance to the Reeve who shall communicate those matters to the Chief Administrative Officer, recognizing that the Chief Administrative Officer is the only employee of the Council;
- j) Not use the position of Councillor to benefit myself or any other individual apart from the interest of Lethbridge County, and avoid placing myself in a position where there may be a real or perceived conflict of interest or apprehension of bias;
- K) Not use or attempt to use Lethbridge County's funds, property or information for my personal gain or benefit or for the personal gain or benefit of any other individual;
- 1) Devote time, thought, and attention to the duties of a Councillor so effective and knowledgeable decisions can be made on behalf of the citizens and taxpayers;
- m) Develop and evaluate goals and policies, through Council to meet the needs and expectations of the public;
- n) Attend Council orientation and training;
- 0) Protect privileged information learned during the course of my duties as Councillor and preserve the confidentiality of information provided to me concerning confidential matters of Lethbridge County;
- p) Not use confidential information to advance the personal, financial, or private interests of myself or any other individual;
- 9) Not surrender the responsibilities and obligations of a Councillor to any other person, group or organization;
- r) Disclose to Council any behavior or activity that may qualify as corruption, abuse, fraud, bribery, or conflict of interest as identified by The Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, or any other Act of the Government of Canada or the Province of Alberta, or the bylaws and policies of Lethbridge County.
Recognize that any allegation that may be made against me in my capacity as a Councillor does not remove my right to a fair and unbiased hearing before Council
Witness - Print Name
Councillor - Print Name
Witness - Signature
Councillor - Signature