Members of the administrative and legislative review committee meet for a meeting at city hall on Wednesday.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Coun. Allison Knodel says the message behind the city’s new proposed Public Code of Conduct Policy is to provide residents a clear framework for boundaries and expectations of acceptable behaviour that will be tolerated at city-run facilities and toward city staff.
“The picture in my mind is; I grocery shop, and I see that signage that says, “We will not tolerate XYZ.” It’s there for a reason because these cashiers are being harassed,” said Knodel during the administrative and legislative review committee meeting at city hall.
The new policy was before committee members Tuesday one last time before it will be presented to council for approval in October.
The policy will define the process on how the city and its staff will deal with consistent complaints from residents who continue to show offensive or aggressive behaviour.
“To have a policy that allows us to create some safety for staff and residents that walk through the doors of our organization and interact with people in public, I think it’s essential and it’s important,” added Knodel.
According to city staff the policy is in compliance with provincial legislation and is not designed to take away general freedoms from residents, but rather to address unreasonable behaviour and provide a safe workplace for city staff.
Coun. Robert Dumanowski says the policy will provide clarity and gives staff a protocol to follow if they encounter offside behaviour.
“There’s clarity around public engagement and what’s acceptable and what’s not,” said Dumanowski. “It’s to some extent sad that we’re in that state of affairs in our human discourse. But certainly having the policy will help alleviate that and certainly give us the levers and tools to deal with things if and when they present themselves.”
Committee members learned the policy includes a substantive review process that could lead to an investigative process for individuals who habitually show examples of unreasonable behaviour, and could lead to restrictions or bans.
“In plain language, we have responsibilities being indicated by legislative law to ensure that people’s right to a safe workplace is protected,” said Dumanowski.
