Chatham-Kent Council is going to get a better understanding of its own code of conduct. 
Council accepted the integrity commissioner’s final report into the Derek Robertson affair last night, which found the former councillor in contravention of the code when it comes to being respectful of the role of municipal staff.
Integrity Commissioner Paul Watson says any misunderstandings about what’s expected come down to respect.
“The Code of Conduct may be rather lengthy, but it really does come down to respect,” Watson says. “You have to respect your colleagues, you have to respect the municipal corporation, you have to respect your constituents by making sure you don’t abuse your power, and you have to respect municipal employees who are hard working and are working in a fish-bowl along with the rest of the council.”
When it comes to controversy over the Robertson case and questions raised about the investigation process, Watson chalks it up to a tactic to distract attention away from the report’s findings.
Councillor Doug Sulman presented a motion that council be given a in-depth educational seminar on the code of conduct later this year to get a better understanding about what’s expected of them.
Watson says even for veteran councillors, a refresher isn’t a bad idea.
“The rules around the Code of Conduct have changed, as of March 1st,” Watson explains. “The scope of the advice that the Integrity Commissioner can give has expanded, and now we can also give advice under the Conflict of Interest Act, which means councillors don’t have to make two different calls if they have a question.”
