SCHEDULE “A” Examples of Unacceptable Conduct
An appendix to the Code of Conduct policy providing detailed examples of prohibited behaviors across various categories such as meeting conduct, integrity, and communication.
SCHEDULE “A”
Examples of Unacceptable Conduct
Meeting Conduct, Rules of Order and Procedural Matters
(a) Failing to abide by the Town’s Procedure Bylaw; (b) Failing to respect the role of the Chair or Presiding Official at meetings; (c) Failing to respect due process and procedural fairness; (d) Unfair or disrespectful treatment of persons or delegations appearing before Council; (e) Disrespectful or disruptive behaviour during a meeting which results in being called out of order by the Chair or Presiding Official; (f) Expulsion from a meeting; and (g) Behaviour which undermines the free exchange of ideas and which stifles or inhibits healthy debate.
Integrity
(a) Abuse of authority or trust; (b) Failure to act in the public interest; (c) Showing favouritism, bias or nepotism towards any person, vendor, contractor, business, family member, or to others doing business with the Town; (d) Dishonesty; (e) Obstructing an investigation into a matter; (f) Obstructing Staff from undertaking their duties; (g) Harassment; (h) Sexual harassment; (i) Discrimination; (j) Bullying; (k) Intimidation; (l) Coercion; (m) Extortion; (n) Uttering threats; (o) Assault; (p) Accepting a bribe; (q) Disrespecting the viewpoints of others during discussion on a matter; (r) Failing to keep an open mind during debate on a matter; (s) Damaging the reputation and/or credibility of the Town by words, actions, and/or irresponsible conduct; and (t) Acting in an official capacity while intoxicated.
Communication, Interpersonal Relations, Council and Staff Relations
(a) Use of disrespectful, derogatory, demeaning, defamatory, discriminatory, intolerant or offensive language at any time, and on any communication platform, including social media as a representative of the Town; (b) Failing to treat any person with respect, courtesy, tolerance, acceptance, and/or dignity; (c) Disrespecting the role of the Chief Administrative Officer, Senior Staff, Staff, and/or Town Consultants; (d) Failing to respect the various roles and responsibilities which are inherent to informed local government decision-making; (e) Publicly criticizing or chastising a Member, Staff or Town Consultant; (f) Interfering with the administrative corporate or operational functions of the Town; (g) Failure to observe established protocols with respect to tasking or otherwise directing Staff.
Confidentiality and Data Security
(a) Intentionally accessing unauthorized information, records, or data on Town devices; (b) Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or personal information to a third party; (c) Intentionally breaching the Town’s network and/or data security systems; (d) Intentionally leaking confidential information to any party including but not limited to the media or other local government stakeholders; (e) Fraud; (f) Theft of Town resources and/or assets; and (g) Criminal Code of Canada conviction while in office.
Retaliation
(a) Retaliation or retribution towards any person who in good faith has reported a suspected contravention of the Town’s Code of Conduct; (b) Retaliation or retribution towards any person who in good faith has reported a suspected contravention of the Town’s Workplace Bullying and Harassment Policy; (c) Retaliation or retribution towards any person who in good faith has reported a suspected contravention of the Criminal Code of Canada or other federal, provincial, or local government statute, regulation, or enactment.
Conflict of Interest
(a) Failure to abide by Conflict of Interest rules in the Community Charter and Local Government Act; (b) Failure to disclose conflict of interest; (c) Participation in meetings where a Member has a conflict of interest; (d) Use of office to influence a decision, recommendation, or other action where an elected official has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest; (e) Accepting unauthorized gifts; (f) Failure to disclose authorized gifts; and (g) Failure to disclose and report contracts entered into by the elected official or former elected official with the Town where the elected official or former elected official has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest.
Interference with Designated Decision Makers and/or Processes
(a) Interfering with, and/or failing to respect the role and authority of statutory and/or other designated decision makers: (i) Officer responsible for Corporate Administration; (ii) Officer responsible for Financial Administration; (iii) Head, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy; (iv) Chief Election Officer; (v) Building Officials; (vi) Bylaw Enforcement Officers; (vii) Approving Officer; and (ix) Others in statutory and/or designated decision-making roles. (b) Failing to abide by the Town’s Purchasing Policy.
Partisan Politics and Campaigning
(a) Engaging in partisan politics while undertaking Town business; (b) Use of Town resources, including the corporate logo, for campaign purposes; (c) Providing instruction to Town contractors, consultants or other service providers; (d) Speaking on behalf of Council when not authorized to do so; (e) Failing to uphold a decision, bylaw, or policy of Council; and (g) Unauthorized use of Town Staff and/or other Town resources and assets.