Working to Make Municipal Council Chambers Across Ontario Harassment-Free

‘Everyone deserves a harassment-free workplace – including elected officials.’ – Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch

A Statement from Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch

Posted December 16^th, 2024 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch

QUEEN’S PARK  — MPP Jeff Burch released the following statement in response to the province introducing long-overdue legislation to address municipal code of conduct issues:

“Every workplace should be harassment-free, and that extends to the council chambers and town halls across this province. Holding elected officials to a standard isn’t political – it’s about safety.”

We brought legislation forward to bring stronger measures to hold elected officials to account for misconduct and followed the lead of organizations like Women of Ontario Say No to make sure that no one gets away with harassment, especially not those who are elected to office.

“After years of delay, we are glad to see the government taking this step in the right direction. New Democrats will work across the aisle to ensure the creation of a new code of conduct that treats workplace harassment with the seriousness it deserves.”

Quick Facts:

• * Burch tabled the Municipal Accountability and Integrity Act (https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-43/session-1/bill-207)  in June 2024. (https://www.ontariondp.ca/news/ndp-tables-bill-hold-municipal-councilors-accountable-workplace-harassment)
• * The Act would implement several measures to hold officials accountable, including:
• * Establish a common framework for codes of conduct across Ontario
• * Require the Minister to establish a Board of Integrity Commissioners under the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario and establish standards for selection and training.
• * Allow the commissioner to make an application for judicial review to vacate a members seat in the case of egregious contraventions of the code of conduct.

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