Oak Bay has a new document to To set out expectations of council members while carrying out their duties and responsibilities.
The eight-point code of ethics outlines how members should act in the public interest, show leadership, with accountability, respect, appropriate confidentiality, accurate communication of decisions and maintaining a respectful workplace.
“It’s not something we’re dealing with here, but I’d like to protect staff and council,” said Coun. Michelle Kirby who first pursued the code.
She noted the sixth point, communication of decisions, should be carefully applied to modern communication methods as well, such as social media.
“That is a very important aspect of this,” Kirby said.
Point six says council members will accurately communicate decisions of council even if they disagree with the majority decision to affirm the respect for, and integrity of, council.
“We have the example of the President of the United States spending a lot of time distracting from honest hard work of processes of the government with random tweets,” Kirby said. “That can be a very destructive thing to have, council or community members distribute misinformation or share information that doesn’t reflect the true statements made by councillors.”
Council approved the code during a July 17 meeting.
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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