Overview
Municipal governments are unique from other levels of government because most affairs are handled at council meetings, which are required to be open to the public, subject to certain exceptions. In addition to providing services that residents rely on everyday, public meetings contribute to public trust and make municipal governments the level of government closest to the people.
The accountability and transparency of municipal governments is important. Municipalities are required to establish codes of conduct that set out standards for the ethical behaviour of councillors in and outside of the council chambers. Codes of conduct are important tools to regulate the respectful behaviour that all council members agree to when they take office. However, municipal governments are concerned that they have limited ability to enforce these codes in line with members’ and the public’s expectations.
Ontario’s municipal governments often work directly with Indigenous people living in their communities. It’s important to municipal government leaders and staff to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and be part of the healing, learning, and restoration needed to support reconciliation.
AMO Positions
- Since 2021, AMO has called on the provincial government to pass legislation that enables municipalities to enforce the ethical behaviour of elected officials. Strengthening municipal codes of conduct will help to enhance integrity and public trust.
- AMO is interested in the collection of demographic data for municipal election candidates to better understand and demonstrate progress towards attracting more diverse candidates to municipal office.
- AMO continues to support municipalities’ work to improve relationships and engagement with Indigenous communities and advance truth and reconciliation. In April 2023, AMO’s Executive Committee agreed that AMO should develop an Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan to provide the organization with a deeper and more comprehensive approach to Indigenous matters. The Action Plan will be a roadmap informing AMO’s policy, membership, and training and events work going forward.
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