This morning the City of Victoria’s Government and Priorities Committee of Council will consider a motion to adopt a code of conduct for its city Councillors. While we agree that it is laudable to aspire to civility and respectfulness in our democratic bodies, the provisions of this particular code reach too far.
In a letter addressed to Mayor and Councillors, the BCCLA has outlined some of the specific provisions that are problematic; interfering with the City’s constitutional obligation to respect freedom of expression, and the integrity of the democratic process.
Aspiring to greater civility and respectfulness is an excellent goal for any governmental body, but it must not take the form of rules that prohibit certain kinds of expression with penalties attached.
