Wasaga Beach approves code of conduct changes for politicians

Bifolchi opposes controversial Bonnie Smith amendments

By Ian Adams Wasaga Sun

Controversial changes to Wasaga Beach’s code of conduct for municipal politicians have been pushed through.

Council had already been handed some proposed changes for the code of conduct by its recently-appointed integrity commissioner, Robert Swayze, when Coun. Bonnie Smith provided a list of suggested amendments at a committee of the whole meeting earlier in January.

Smith’s list included a change to one section that addresses communications by council members that could be considered “inappropriate, offensive, insulting or derogatory.” She asked for ‘social media’ and ‘websites’ to be added to the clause, though a couple of councillors said the additional wording was unnecessary and suggested the amendments targeted two particular council members who use the Internet to communicate with constituents.

Tuesday, Deputy Mayor Nina Bifolchi said while she supported the integrity commissioner’s recommended changes to the code of conduct, she couldn’t abide by Smith’s proposed amendments.

“I can’t support what I believe to be an attempt to instill some sort of fear into some members of council who choose to communicate with constituents and this community by way of a website or social media,” she said.

Bifolchi has a website (www.ninabifolchi.ca), while Coun. Sylvia Bray maintains an active Facebook page.

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