Council Code of Conduct

A Code of Conduct is a written document that sets expectations for Council Member’s conduct or behaviour. All municipal councils are required by the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to have a Code of Conduct Bylaw. The City of Red Deer had code of conduct policies prior to the bylaw (3608-2018) being adopted by Council on July 23, 2018. It is reviewed when a new council is elected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is a Code of Conduct complaint handled?

When a person has a concern about the conduct of a Council Member they may choose a formal or an informal resolution process. Informal complaints are typically addressed through informal discussion between the parties, sometimes with the assistance of the Mayor to facilitate a healthy discussion and resolution. Receipt of a signed written complaint from either a member of the public or a Councillor triggers a more formal review and investigation. The investigation process may be led by members of Council or in independent third party. If the investigation determines that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct Bylaw, Council may impose sanctions on the Council Member whose conduct fell short of the expected standards.

The member who is the subject of the complaint is given a full opportunity to respond to the complaint before council deliberates or a decision on sanctions are made.

How does the process start?

The process only starts when a person raises concerns that the conduct of a Council Member falls short or contravenes the standards set out in the Code of Conduct Bylaw. If they choose to discuss those concerns with the Council Member in question, that is considered an ‘Informal Complaint’. If they submit a written complaint, that is considered a ‘formal complaint’. There is no requirement that the person who has the concern start with the informal process before proceeding to a formal complaint.

Who is the reviewer?

According to the bylaw, a review is done by the Mayor, or at the Mayor’s discretion, the Mayor and two Members, none of whom are the subject of or are implicated in the complaint. Members would be selected on a rotation by the Mayor or Deputy Mayor. A review is done to ensure the complaint has been made in good faith, and is not frivolous or vexatious. Only those complaints that pass this vetting process proceed to investigation. The investigation can be done by Council themselves or a third party.

Is the process confidential?

The investigation process is confidential. In most cases, a report is released to the public once the investigation is complete. Council must make any arising decisions in public.

Code of Conduct Investigations

Council Code of Conduct Complaint Investigation COC2023-002

Following an internal investigation stemming from a complaint received by Council in June 2023, Councillor Cindy Jefferies was found in breach of one section of the City Council’s Code of Conduct Bylaw with the remaining allegations determined to be unfounded.

Council Code of Conduct Complaint Investigation COC2023-001

Following an independent investigation stemming from a complaint received by City Council in March 2023, Councillor Kraymer Barnstable, by a vote of 5 to 2, was found in breach of City Council’s Code of Conduct Bylaw with two of six allegations founded when City Council accepted the findings in the investigator’s report at a City Council meeting on May 15, 2023.

Council Code of Conduct Complaint Investigation COC2021-002

An investigation stemming from a code of conduct complaint received by City Council on May 7, 2021, closed, and a majority of Council did not accept the investigation report at the October 8, 2021 Council meeting. The investigation is considered complete and remains confidential.

Council Code of Conduct Complaint Investigation COC201-001

Following an independent investigation stemming from a complaint received by City Council on April 15, 2021, Councillor Buck Buchanan faces sanctions for breaching Red Deer City Council’s Code of Conduct Bylaw. By a majority vote on July 26, 2021, Council accepted the findings in the investigator’s report, which conclude that Councillor Buchanan breached three sections of the Code of Conduct Bylaw.

During the August 24, 2021 Council meeting, three of the sanctions imposed were removed.