Code of Ethics
PREAMBLE
The Code of Ethics sets out the values and responsibilities of local government managers. Members of the Society of Local Government Managers of Alberta (the “Society”) are expected to:- uphold and protect the best interests of the public;
- ensure the standing of the profession of local government managers is held in the highest regard; and
- display the knowledge, skill, and judgment of a competent member of the profession.
A member’s ethical obligations extend to their conduct in local government, their conduct on behalf of the Society, their conduct towards the public, and their conduct as a representative of the profession.
Failure to adhere to the Code of Ethics may result in suspension or expulsion of Members from membership in the Society pursuant to the Local Government Managers’ Regulation. Members may also be struck from the register of members for any breach of the Code of Ethics.
Decisions relating to disciplinary matters are within the sole discretion of the Society’s Discipline Committee.
CORE PRINCIPLES
In particular, the Society requires all members to uphold the following core principles.
- Members shall be dedicated to the concept of effective and democratic local Government.
Members are expected to dedicate themselves to the concept of a democratic local government run by responsible elected officials. Members must also believe and demonstrate that professional management is essential to the achievement of this objective.
Members must affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by local government and maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude towards local government and a sense of social responsibility as a trusted public servant.
- Members shall carry out their duties and responsibilities to the best of their ability.
Members shall perform the services rendered in municipal management with the degree of care, diligence, and skill that would be exercised in comparable circumstances by a reasonably prudent member suitably trained and experienced for the competent performance of services.
Members shall endeavour through education and by other means available to continually improve the member's ability as a professional administrator and a member shall endeavour to develop the competence and abilities of associates in the use of management techniques.
Members shall sustain their professional competence by keeping themselves informed of, and in compliance with, developments in professional standards pertaining to the profession.
- Members shall carry out their duties fairly and impartially.
Members shall resist any encroachment on the member's professional responsibilities, believing that members should be free to carry out official policies without interference, and a member shall handle each problem without discrimination on the basis of principle and justice.
Members shall endeavour to handle all personnel matters fairly and impartially.
- Members shall conduct themselves in a professional manner.
Members must at all times conduct themselves professionally and shall, when communicating with other members, the Society, or the public, ensure that their conduct is professional and maintain the standard of the profession.
Members are responsible for upholding and protecting the reputation of the Society and the profession. It is imperative that members behave in a manner that merits the respect and confidence of elected officials, other officials, employees, and members of the public.
Members shall refrain from conduct that is incompatible with the best interests of the public or the members of the Society, and which tends to harm the standing of the Society generally.
- Members shall promote community well-being and engage the community in decision-making.
Members must recognize that the chief function of local government is to serve the best interests of the public. In order to achieve this goal, members must engage the community they serve in order to promote public participation in local government.
Members shall keep the community informed on local Government affairs; encourage communication and dialogue between the members of the public and the officers and employees of local Government; emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public and seek to improve the quality and image of public service.
- Members shall assist elected officials in a politically neutral manner.
While the role of members includes providing advice and assistance to elected officials, members must ensure advice and assistance is provided in an unbiased, neutral, and impartial manner.
Members shall provide elected officials with facts and advice on matters of policy as a basis for making decisions and setting goals; and a member shall uphold, implement and execute policies adopted by elected officials. Members must refrain from political participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body and from all political activities which could impair the member’s performance as a professional administrator or which could harm the member’s employer.
It is imperative that members carry out their roles and responsibilities in a manner that protects the reputation of the profession and the Society.
- Members shall put the interests of the Society before their own self-interest.
Members must avoid all conflicts of interest, whether perceived or real. Members shall inform their employer of any interests, affiliations or relationships which the member’s employer might reasonably be expected to be aware of.
Members shall not enter into any agreement or undertake any activity which may be in conflict with the interests of the member’s employer or which would prejudice the performance of the member’s professional duties.
Members must cooperate with the Board of the Society, Practice Review Committee, or the Discipline Committee in an investigation into alleged misconduct on the part of a member.
Members must refrain from abusing a position of trust.
- Members shall refrain from committing or participating in any illegal, unethical, or improper acts.
If a member is convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code, or participates in or is associated with an act that amounts to an offence under the Criminal Code, they may face expulsion from the Society.
Members may also face expulsion if the Discipline Committee determines they have misappropriated funds.
Members may also be disciplined if they:
- provide false or misleading information;
- associate themselves with a written document or financial statement which they knew or ought to have known was materially false or misleading; or
- provide misleading financial information through the structuring of transactions.
Members must abide by and comply with the Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act, the Local Government Managers’ Regulations, the Bylaws of the Society, and the Code of Ethics.
- Members shall uphold the letter and spirit of the law and this Code of Ethics.
A member shall uphold the laws of Canada and the laws of the Province of Alberta (or such other laws applicable in the jurisdiction in which the member is practicing). A member shall also uphold the Bylaws of the Society and this Code of Ethics.
If a member becomes aware of any illegal, or unethical conduct which presents a risk to the member’s employer or employees, they must take all steps necessary, where possible, to correct or stop the improper conduct and, where the misconduct was engaged in by another Member of the Society, he or she must report the conduct to the Society’s Discipline Committee.
- Members shall safeguard and uphold the reputation of the profession and the Society.