WHEREAS difficulties with an elected official may arise that may become unmanageable; and

WHEREAS there are no provisions in The Municipalities Act to impeach an elected official;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to amend The Municipalities Act to allow for the impeachment of elected officials under certain circumstances.

Response from Honourable Jim Reiter, Minister of Government Relations

Council members are elected to office by the voters of the municipality.  Allowing a majority of council members to impeach another council member would overrule the decision of the voters to elect that council member.

The legislation provides for the disqualification of a council member for reasons of pecuniary interest, non-attendance at meetings, criminal conviction, fraud or theft and if the member ceases to be eligible for or makes a false statement regarding his/her nomination.  This is ultimately at the determination of a judge, not council.

There are other methods available for councils to address the issue of councillor conduct and behaviour.  For example, council may develop a 'Code of Conduct' outlining the responsibilities, proper duties and actions of members. Councils may also use third party mediators to assist in working through any conflicts council members may have.

Updated response from Ministry of Government Relations dated July 4, 2017