The purpose of an Advisory Committee is to provide informed advice and
guidance, as well as to facilitate public input to City Council on programs and
policies. In recognition of the impartial and objective expert advice that
Standing Committees’ receive from Advisory Committees, as well as the
challenges and inherent restrictions placed upon these same individuals in
assessing and recommending various options in a conscientious and ethical
manner, the following Code of Conduct is provided as a general standard for all
Advisory Committee Members to ensure they are acting in a manner that is
appropriate with regard to his or her Committee.
1. Advisory
Committee Members shall, when conducting Committee business, preparing written
correspondence, interacting with media, Members of Council, staff or members of
the public, act in a manner that accomplishes the following:
(a) Fulfils the
mandate and mission statement of his or her Advisory Committee;
(b) Respects due process and the authority
of the Chair, Vice-Chair or Presiding Officer;
(c) Demonstrates respect for all fellow Committee Members, Council, staff and the public regardless of cultural, or linguistic diversity and life circumstances;
(d) Respects and gives fair consideration to diverse and opposing viewpoints;
(e) Demonstrates due diligence in preparing for meetings, special occasions, or other Committee-related events;
(f) Demonstrates professionalism, transparency, accountability and timeliness in completing any tasks or projects undertaken by the Committee;
(g) Conforms with all relevant legislation, by-laws, policies and guidelines;
(h) Works
in conjunction with the community;
(i) Contributes in a meaningful manner, offering constructive comments to Council, Standing Committees, staff and fellow Committee Members.
2. (a) A
Member of an Advisory Committee shall not engage in political campaigning of
any sort (municipally, provincially or federally) on behalf of the Advisory
Committee or as a Member of an Advisory Committee.
3. A Member of an Advisory Committee shall not:
(a) Engage in any business or transaction or have a financial or personal interest that is incompatible with the discharge of his or her official duties;
(b) Place them self in a position where s/he is under obligation to any person who might benefit from special consideration or favour on their part or who might seek in any way preferential treatment;
(c) Accord, in the performance of his or her official duties, preferential treatment to relatives or to organizations in which s/he or his or her relatives have an interest, financial or otherwise;
(d) Deal with an application to the City for a grant, award, contract or other benefit involving his or her spouse, live-in partner, child or parent;
(e) Place them self in a position where s/he could derive any direct or indirect benefit or interest from any matter about which they can influence decisions;
(f) Benefit from the use of information acquired during the course of his or her official duties which is not generally available to the public; and
(g) Accept gifts, hospitality, or entertainment that could reasonably be construed as being given in anticipation or recognition of special consideration by the Advisor or his or her respective Advisory Committee.
4. (a) Section 3 does not apply to the interests of a Member by reason of the Member belonging to a particular body which Council has expressly provided a designated seat on the Advisory Committee.
(b) In addition to Clause (a), it is understood that Members of the City’s Business Advisory Committee and Taxi Advisory Committee are intentionally comprised of citizens from these same industries. Therefore, a Member’s interest that arises as a result of this connection does not constitute a breach of Section 3.
5. A Member of an Advisory Committee shall disclose to the City Clerk or persons designated, immediately that s/he could be involved in either a real or perceived conflict of interest as prohibited by the Code; and shall abide by any decision made by the City Clerk, or the designated person, with respect to such conflict of interest without recourse.
6. Where an Advisory Committee Member believes or has been advised that s/he has or may have a conflict of interest in a particular matter, s/he shall:
(a) Prior to any consideration of the matter, disclose his or her interest and the general nature thereof;
(b) Leave the room for the duration of time that the matter is being considered;
(c) Not take part in the discussion of, or vote on any question or recommendation in respect of the matter; and
(d) Not attempt in any way whether before, during or after the meeting to influence the voting on any such question or recommendation.
7. Should a Member of an Advisory Committee breach any of the clauses set out herein, the following actions may occur:
a) An Advisory Committee may censure the member or recommend his or her removal to the relevant Standing Committee;
b) A formal warning may be issued to the Member
from the City Clerk; or
c) Should subsequent breaches occur following the formal warning, the City Clerk may suspend the Member and recommend his or her removal to the relevant Standing Committee.
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Member’s Name (Printed)
Signature Date