New code of conduct for elected officials in N.S. a 'huge step forward,' says Cape Breton warden

A new provincewide code of conduct for municipal councillors is receiving a thumbs-up fromRichmond County's warden, who found herself dealing with inappropriate behaviour by a county councillor midway through her first term of office.

Amanda Mombourquetteand three other Richmondcouncillors voted to bar District 2 representative Michael Diggdon from council meetings for a month in the spring of 2022, after an internal investigation found he had broken the county's municipal code of conduct.

The investigation began after a woman reported that Diggdon hadresponded to her inquiries about finding low-income housing by texting her during a council meeting and askingher to send him a pictureof herself.

Describing the previous parameters for in-house municipal discipline as "vague," Mombourquettesaid she feels the new code of conduct is a "huge step forward" that would have made it easier for Richmond County to deal with situations like the oneinvolving Diggdon.

"I think it definitely would have helped," Mombourquette told CBC Radio'sInformation Morning Cape Bretonhost Steve Sutherland onTuesday.

Diggdon was defeated in his recent re-election bid by District 2 challenger Lois Landry.

Code outlines investigations process

Under theprovincewide code of conduct announced Monday, a third-party investigator chosen by council wouldstep in once a complaint is lodged against an elected official.

After receiving the investigator's report, council would decide whether the code of conduct was breachedand impose one or moresanctions,taking into considerationthe nature and severity of the offence.

There's a wide range of penalties, includinga formalletter of reprimand, a temporary suspension from municipal committees and boards, and a $1,000 fine for each contravention of the code.

Information Morning - Cape Breton8:23Cape Breton politician welcomes new mandatory code of conduct

Newly elected municipal councils have a new Provincial Code of Conduct.

"The fact that it relies on an investigator, a third party that's a person who has to demonstrate some level of expertise, it's someone who can look into the matter without any sense of bias or sense of influence," said Mombourquette, who was re-elected Saturday in District 4.

Sheplans to put her name forward for the warden's post once again when Richmond municipal councillors are sworn in later this month.

Minister hopes new code curbs 'disrespectful'activity

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr told CBCRadio's MainstreetCape Breton he hopes the new guidance will curb negative behaviour within municipal council chambers across the province.

"This will address disrespectful comments about colleagues or council decisions.Councillors will be able to disagree with decisions publicly, but they have to be respectful," Lohrtold hostWendy Bergfeldt on Monday.

The code of conduct was developed following consultations with a working group thatincluded representatives of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, the province's Association of Municipal Administrators, and the Association of Nova Scotia Villages.

Each municipality in the province must formally adopt the new code of conduct and report back to the minister by Dec.19.