City of Yellowknife considering new hire to investigate future complaints against officials

The mayor of Yellowknife says a possible new hire within the city, which would be in charge of complaints in the future regarding the mayor or council members, isn't the result of the rocky political climate at the municipal office.

The city has been in the spotlight in the last year, for things like the dispute between MayorHeyckand Coun. NielsKongein whichKongefiled a code of conduct complaint againstHeyck.

The inquiry into Yellowknife's municipal enforcement division and alleged inappropriate behaviour by municipal enforcement manager DougGillardis also underway.

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But MarkHeycksayshedoesn't feel those issues have played a role in the need for what's called an integrity commissioner.

"I don't see it as a reflection of the political environment necessarily, but it's simply best practice we should have in place here in Yellowknife."

Code of conduct review

Hiring anintegrity commissioner is just one of the recommendations that came out of a review of the city's code of conduct.

Heyck says the code is outdated and vague.

"I think what the [proposed] new code does is it makes it clear what the expectations are for mayor andcouncillors,and sets out a very clear process," he said.

The review was conducted by Rob DeRooy, the vice president of governance and strategy for Governance Solutions Incorporated, a consulting company based in Halton Hills, Ont.

DeRooy's recommendations to council include:

• Increasing the term of office for council from three years to four years with voter approval;
• adopting the city's respectful workplace and antiharassment policy and;
• hiring an integrity commissioner, who would receive and investigate all complaints about the mayor or a member of council.

Other municipalities across the country, including Orangeville, Ont. which has a similar population size as Yellowknifeare considering hiring an integrity commissioner.

Heyck saysbased on Yellowknife'spopulation, the commissioner wouldn'tbe a full-time position.

"So likely we would be looking at putting a lawyer on a retainer and then using them on an as-and-when-needed basis," he said.

"Might be a few thousand dollars in a given year."

Heycksaysthe proposed code of conduct will be discussed at next Monday's city council meeting.

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