One councillor often quoted for Kelowna
The Community Charter provides the statutory framework for all municipalities in British Columbia, except the City of Vancouver, which is served by its own legislation, the Vancouver Charter.
Under the Community Charter, in the coming weeks B.C. municipalities are expected to consider implementing a Code of Conduct for council members, or review a Code of Conduct that is already in place.
On March 13, Kelowna City Council discussed introducing a Code of Conduct. If later approved, it would establish shared expectations for how council members should conduct themselves while carrying out their duties and responsibilities.
The Code would apply not only to interactions with each other, but also to interactions with city staff, the public, and other organizations.
On Global Okanagan News at 5:30 (March 11), Kelowna city councillor Mohini Singh was interviewed about the upcoming discussion. Singh said a Code of Conduct is “important to have because we all know what the goals are, the goalposts, where the goalposts lie. We all know what we can do, what is expected of us.”
“After all, we are the face of the City, so we have to all be on the same page when we present ourselves,” Singh added.
Why is Singh usually the face of the City for providing comments to Global?
Could it have anything to do with Singh’s previous career as a journalist with CHBC Television?
Are none of the other councillors ever available to be interviewed, willing to be interviewed, or even asked by Global News Okanagan to provide a sound bite for broadcast?
Since the Oct. 2022 Kelowna municipal election, I wonder who has been interviewed more times on Global News Okanagan -Singh or Mayor Tom Dyas?
Kelowna city council is required to consider establishing a Code of Conduct by May 14, 2023. If a Code is approved, then city staff would prepare it for council's review.
This begs the question: Does Kelowna city council have plans to also hold a discussion on whether to implement a separate Code of Conduct for all city staff, including city planners?
David Buckna Kelowna