Manitoba's Municipal Administrators have been updating their code of conduct after recent criminal actions by CAOs.
These changes aim to create a formal complaint process, and the enforcement required for it after 3 issues over the past 4 years
These include former Winnipeg CAO Phil Sheegl accepting a sizeable bribe, former Gilbert Plains CAO Amber Fisher stealing more than $500,000 from the municipality, and Trisha Fraser, Former CAO of the RM of North Cypress Langford who's accused of stealing $30,000 over the past year.
Among the 21 statements in the MMA’s new code of conduct are for administrators to “demonstrate integrity and the highest standards of ethical behavior” and “shall not leverage their position for personal gain or benefit.”
Duane Nicol, the MMA’s president, and CAO of the City of Selkirk, said the changes may not prevent issues such as what happened in the Municipality of Gilbert Plains and Winnipeg, it will help make administrators more accountable to standards and ethical conduct.
Nicol also notes that while the MMA doesn’t have the power of a regulatory body to discipline and potentially take away members’ ability to practice, the changes will ensure there are consequences for breaches.
Punishment would include membership to the association being revoked.
For the full 21 statements for the MMA's Code Of Conduct, visit municipaladministrators.ca
