Council Seeks To Enhance Code Of Conduct

Saint John council is examining ways to close the gaps in provincial legislation regarding code of conduct complaints.

Mayor Don Darling says the legislation is broad and forces municipal councils into various forms of conflicts of interest.

Darling says council requires a clear and transparent process to follow.

“This process must also include a mechanism for dealing with frivolous and vexatious complaints,” Darling said.

Some councillors expressed concern about costs associated with having a third-party expert develop a process to determine the validity of complaints.

The motion also includes consulting with the eight other New Brunswick cities.

Councillor David Merrithew, who has had complaints filed against him, doesn’t think staff should spend time on this.

“This is probably a provincial bill. They forced us to have a code of conduct. Let them come in and mandate how it should be applied or not applied,” Merrithew said.

Councillors John MacKenzie, Greg Norton and Gary Sullivan referenced an education policy that governs complaints made about teachers and the protection of students.

“I’m sure these teachers in the school don’t make a judgement of a teacher in the school who has a complaint against them,” MacKenzie said.

Mayor Don Darling says the process needs to be enhanced.

“So, is it appropriate or not for council members to investigate each other? Is it appropriate for staff to investigate council members? From my perspective, the answer is ‘no, it’s not,'” Darling said.

An amended version of the motion passed with Councillor Blake Armstrong the only councillor to vote against it.