Proposed new legislation has one Chatham-Kent councillor on the defense.
If the Progressive Conservative party wins tonight’s Ontario election, Ward 6 Councillor Michael Bondy will be presenting a motion at the next council meeting, asking his fellow members to sign a letter to Queen’s Park, opposing the Ford Government’s proposed changes to the Municipal Accountability Act.
If passed, the changes would include the ability to remove and disqualify a member from municipal office if they violate the proposed code of conduct. Removal and disqualification could only occur “upon the recommendation of the municipal integrity commissioner, a concurring report from the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario, and a unanimous vote of council, with the exception of the member who is the subject of the report.”
Bondy is asking council to formally state they are in support of the democratic process, but recognize that only the voting public has the ability to remove a sitting elected government official.
Bondy added that “council recognizes that elections alone determine who sits on any municipal council and that practice cannot be undone by unelected bureaucrats and integrity commissioners.”
Currently, only the PC Party has proposed these changes, and Bondy says if another party forms government after tonight’s election, he will rescind his notice of motion.
