File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

CODE OF CONDUCT CHANGES

Province announces changes to municipal codes of conduct after Kamloops input

Apr 2, 2026 | 4:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — Long-awaited changes to provincial legislation around municipal council codes of conduct were announced by the NDP on Thursday (April 2). 

The changes, partially sparked by the dysfunction at city hall in Kamloops, will align all councils and regional districts under one code of conduct.

“Every community benefits from local leadership that is accountable and focused on priorities that matter to people,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs in a news release. “When conduct issues escalate, they can sidetrack councils and regional district boards from their work and undermine public confidence. Establishing a mandatory code of conduct and a transparent process to address conduct issues will provide clarity and predictability for councils and boards across B.C., strengthening accountability and giving citizens greater confidence that their local representatives are acting responsibly and in the public interest.”

Kamloops councillor Mike O’Reilly was part of the working group that helped provide insight on the changes.

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“It’s one thing for the province to be working off the same sheet, but it’s every municipality and regional district in the province,” said O’Reilly. “Up until this point, it’s kind of been a dog’s breakfast of what a municipality or regional district… adopts. But if you think about it, two blocks down the street from City Hall is the TNRD that has a different code of conduct and really it doesn’t work for efficient governance – and that’s really what you want in government and municipalities. And it’s something that has been called for not only by Kamloops but multiple municipalities across the province.”

All of the proposed changes, if approved in Victoria, will take effect prior to the next municipal election in October.

Under the proposed legislation:

* All municipalities and regional districts in B.C. would follow the same complaint and investigation steps, supported by independent investigators.

* A defined range of sanctions would be available for the councils and regional boards, including a maximum 90-day suspension without pay, with clear reporting requirements for the public to ensure transparency.

* A single provincially established code would set a standard of behaviour for all local elected officials in B.C.

What isn’t included in the legislation is any avenue for recall. The biggest change will see the possibility of councillors or mayors facing a 90-day unpaid suspension following an independent investigation that finds cause.

“Based on what investigators’ findings are and recommendations are. And I truly believe the 90-day suspension will allow a break. If there is somebody around a horseshoe causing chaos, causing issues or problems, it just allows everybody a reset,” O’Reilly told CFJC News. “And I think that is something that has been missing this term, frankly.”