Ensuring Accountability and Transparency
Integrity is defined as “an adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” These are all things the City of Vaughan is striving to achieve through the creation of the Integrity Commissioner position and the recently announced Code of Ethical Conduct for Members of Council.
Accountability and transparency are two of the core values of our Vaughan Vision 2020. The Integrity Commissioner and the Code both show the public that the City recognizes the importance of ethical behaviour and is committed to an open and accessible government.
The Accountability and Transparency Committee was established during this term of Council to review policies and practices pertaining to confidentiality, accountability and transparency issues as they relate to City Council. Among its responsibilities was the hiring of an Integrity Commissioner, establishing a complaint procedure and creating an updated Code of Ethical Conduct for Members of Council. The Committee will now be turning its attention to the need to provide information and training on the Code.
The City of Vaughan was among the first municipalities in Ontario to appoint an Integrity Commissioner in April, 2008. When William W. B. Weissglas stepped down later that year, the City moved quickly to appoint its second Integrity Commissioner in February of
July 6, 2009 Update |
this year. Suzanne Craig, who holds a Masters and Doctor of Laws, and has many years of senior-level management, ethics and dispute resolution experience in the public sector, began work in April, 2009.
One of the first tasks for the new Integrity Commissioner was completing the Code of Ethical Conduct for Members of Council. Finalizing a new Code has also been a major goal of the Council Priorities Plan that was announced late last year. A draft version of the Code has now been completed and can be viewed on the City’s website.
This Code will serve as a guide for the expected behaviour and actions of Members of Council. It is also an indication to the public that Council members are seriously committed to being held accountable for their responsible and ethical conduct. The Code includes commentary, offering explanations and examples to create a better understanding of what the rule means.
The opening statement in the Code states that “Democracy is an active process – one that requires ongoing engagement between citizens and their elected officials. Ethics and integrity are at the core of public confidence in government and in the political process.”
Public engagement is an important part of developing this Code of Conduct. We want to know what residents think of the Code and welcome all comments and suggestions. The Integrity Commissioner and the Committee are hoping to gain some insight into areas of concern from the public through this input process. Comments will be accepted until August 15 and will become part of the public record. Final review and approval of new Code is scheduled for the first Council meeting in September, 2009.