A new code of conduct for Municipal Officials across the province, just two days after municipal elections.
Nova Scotia says it includes more than 40 guidelines under 14 categories and covers dozens of areas from gifts and benefits to handling confidential information.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, John Lohr says, one of the first promises he made as minister was to modernize the Municipal Government Act and he remains to committed to that.
“Ensuring that our elected officials have clear guidance on conduct and behavior is long overdue, and the introduction of this Code of Conduct marks a historic moment for both our municipalities and our province.”
It was developed from a working group established in January 2022 who recommended a code that is universal for all municipalities and villages.
It includes processes for investigating complaints and imposing sanctions.
In the group, were representatives from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, the Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia, and the Association of Nova Scotia Villages.
All Atlantic provinces and most Canadian provinces have a code of conduct in place.
It will go into effect by December 19.
