In early March, the Ontario government quietly announced it would launch consultations "to strengthen accountability for council members." The move came in response to public pressure — and to recommendations from the influential Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) — for more severe penalties for the most serious violations of codes of conduct for municipal elected officials. A municipal councillor cannot be removed from office for bad behaviour, though the city’s integrity commissioner has recommended sanctions. A number of people, including Chiarelli's former staff members and sitting politicians, expressed dismay that he could not be removed from office. Whether a broader range of penalties for violations of the codes of conduct are needed, from stiffer financial penalties to outright expulsion from office.

Source: CBC News April 16, 2021 05:16 UTC