B.C. ombudsperson 'deeply concerned' by Surrey's 6-month ban on ethics investigations
B.C.'s ombudsperson said he's disappointed in several recent bylaw amendments approved by Surrey's city council Monday night, including one that put a six-month ban on ethics investigations ahead of the municipal election.
Jay Chalke issued a letter to city council before the vote, expressing “concern” and urging council to reconsider.
"Surrey demonstrated commendable leadership by being the first municipality in British Columbia to appoint an ethics commissioner," Chalke wrote.
"However, council's recent decision to so broadly restrict complaints in an election year subverts (the Surrey Ethics Commissioner Office)'s purpose and has weakened the credibility of the overall effort."
But despite Chalke’s plea, council voted 5-2 to adopt the amendments, meaning no new ethics complaints will be received and processed until after the October municipal election.
“I'm very concerned with the precedent that this sets,” Chalke told CTV News Tuesday. "When one looks at that balance of election integrity and accountability, an appropriate balance can be struck and in my view, the balance that was struck by Surrey City Council is not that appropriate one that I'm looking for."
Chalke said it's not unreasonable to put a moratorium on new investigations before an election, but was concerned that the ethics commissioner’s recommended period of 46 days was increased to about six months.
By comparison, Vancouver freezes its ethics investigations 36 days from an election, and Edmonton and Toronto pause their investigations three months prior to an election.
"Council's failure to give any notice of this immediate blanket moratorium on new complaints impacted every constituent who may have otherwise been planning on bringing an ethics complaint forward," Chalke said in the letter, adding that he's worried the bylaw amendment wasn't adequately debated in an open council meeting.
"The principles of transparency, accountability and integrity should always be promoted, not just in non-election years."
The moratorium is also retroactive to April 12, a day after the amendments passed third reading, which puzzles Coun. Brenda Locke.
“Normally when you change a bylaw, you say it is at the time of adoption of the bylaw. You don't do it in the rearview mirror. And so making this in retrospect is quite unheard of,” Locke told CTV News.
She suspects this is because the last time council tried to stop ethics investigations, the office received an avalanche of new complaints,
“They wanted to keep that timeline short because they don't want to trigger any additional complaints. So this begs the question, what are they trying to hide? I don’t know,” she said.
The bylaw was initially supposed to be discussed at a council meeting in January, but Mayor Doug McCallum recommended removing the item from the agenda just hours before the meeting was scheduled to start.
"The work of the ethics commissioner is valuable and the misinformation circulating about the bylaw is unfortunate," McCallum wrote in a statement ahead of that January council meeting.
"The goal is to strengthen the bylaw to ensure the Office of the Ethics Commissioner is not used for partisan purposes during the election period."
The motion was then reintroduced and voted on in April. It passed with a 5-3 vote.
Coun. Linda Annis, who is part of Surrey First, agreed with Chalke's letter.
"The changes supported by Doug McCallum give politicians at Surrey City Hall a holiday from ethics investigations until after the municipal election," Annis said in a statement.
"That alone should raise questions and concerns among Surrey voters. Ethics are supposed to be something we have and commit to every single day, which means any violation should always be subject to investigation, with absolutely no get-out-of-jail free card six months before an election."
Chalke said he will be bringing the concerns forward to B.C.’s Minister of Municipal Affairs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.