Source:
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Today, Ontario passed legislation to empower municipalities to be more open, accountable and flexible in responding to the needs of residents.
More Information:
The Modernizing Ontario's Municipal Legislation Act amends the Municipal Act, the City of Toronto Act. Finally add an and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. The changes will:
- Increase fairness and reduce barriers for women and parents elected to municipal governments and school boards by allowing time off for pregnancy or parental leave.
- Provide broader municipal investment powers to eligible municipalities that may help raise more revenue to improve local infrastructure.
- Enhance local government accountability and integrity across the province by requiring municipalities to have a code of conduct for members of municipal councils and local boards.
- Ensure the public and municipal councillors have access to integrity commissioners with a broadened role related to conflicts of interest and municipal codes of conduct.
Many of the changes being made with the passage of this legislation are based on feedback from municipalities, the public and other organizations during Municipal Legislation Review consultations in 2015.