Ottawa Needs a Code of Conduct and Ethics for City Councillors

It is absurd that city councillors are not held accountable (as are all other city employees) to the Employee Code of Conduct, and the Accountability and Transparency Policy.

I have been working for over two years on a public issue that should have been resolved within a few days. Negligence, mismanagement, lack of accountability, dishonesty, ignorance of policy, getting the run-around and lack of transparency are the key reasons why.

While most of these issues are included in the Employee Code of Conduct and the Accountability and Transparency Policy, they apply only to city employees. Councillors are exempt from any accountability. Their accountability extends to facing their electorate for another four year term, or when a criminal offence has been committed and she/he has been charged.

An amendment to these policies by city council would ensure that individual councillors would be subject to equal accountability (as are the employees).

Should you be faced with any of the following situations from your councillor you need the support from a non biased, arms length Integrity Commissioner. At present City Council has not felt the need to appoint one.

1. You are concerned that your problem is not being
managed appropriately and/or in a timely fashion.
2. You aren’t getting satisfaction from phone calls,
letters or e-mail messages that you initiated.
3. You are getting the run-around.
4. The feedback received doesn’t appear quite right or
thorough enough
5. Your situation has one or more of those senior
officials named as violating the “Employee Code”.

This is what you need to know about the Employee Code of Conduct and the Accountability and Transparency Policy.

The “Code’s” Introduction states;
All City employees must perform their duties in a manner that maintains and enhances public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of the City. Trust and mutual respect are the cornerstones of any relationship between the public and its government.

Furthermore, as an organization entrusted with public funds, the City is obligated to ensure the protection and appropriate use of all its resources and assets. (Note: Complete information may be acquired from the Internet).

http://ottawa.ca/city_hall/policies/empl_codeconduct_en.html

The Accountability and Transparency Policy Statement;

The City of Ottawa will promote accountable and transparent municipal governance guided by the following principles:

1. Decision-making will be open and transparent.
2. Municipal operations will be conducted in an ethical
and accountable manner.
3. Financial resources and physical infrastructure will be
managed in an efficient and effective manner
4. Municipal information will be accessible so that it is
consistent with legislative requirements.
5. Inquiries, concerns and complaints will be responded
to in a timely manner.
6. Financial oversight, service standards and
performance reporting and all other accountability
documents will be made available and accessible, in
language that the public can understand, to increase
the opportunity for public scrutiny and involvement in
municipal operations.
7. Every new delegation of power or authority will have
a corresponding accountability mechanism

http://ottawa.ca/city_hall/policies/accountability_en.html

These policies have been drawn up and revised over decades and provide the basis for equal and unbiased governing for employees, but do not include councillors.

Amending these policies will eliminate most expensive legal actions, lost time, anger and frustration. And the taxpayer will have the best possible protection.

Summary
The citizens of Ottawa need and are entitled to have the above policies amended to include councillors. Our citizens also need to have an Integrity Commissioner appointed (by council) to support their situations and to provide the appropriate discipline and action taken, in a timely fashion.