City council is calling for stronger penalties for elected officials who release confidential information to the public.
On May 24 Coun. Brian Skakun was convicted of violating the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for releasing a confidential city human resources report to the CBC in 2008. He was fined $750 in the ground-breaking case.
"There are reasons why we've put this before council, which are pretty obvious," Mayor Dan Rogers said.
City council forwarded four resolutions to the Union of B.C. Municipalities related to the Skakun case. If the resolutions are adopted by the Union of B.C. Municipalities during its annual general meeting, the organization will request the provincial government make changes to the law.
The first resolution calls on the provincial government to amend the Community Charter to disqualify an elected official from office if the breach their oath of office or violate their responsibilities to protect confidentiality.
In addition, council is calling for the provincial government to increase the maximum fine under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Currently the maximum fine is $2,000.
Another motion calls for a more general effort to strengthen best practices in regards to the conduct of elected officials.
Policy and advisory committee chairman Coun. Garth Frizzell said the city has "painful experience" which can provide valuable insight into the existing agenda.
"Were looking forward at where to go in the future, not looking at the past," he said.
Skakun was the only councillor to oppose the motions.
"What kind of checks and balances will be in place to ensure government transparency?" Skakun said. "There has to be a balance - council has to be able to disclose things when it is in the public interest."
The resolutions will be presented to the Union of B.C. Municipalities during their AGM in September.
