The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has updated its bylaw governing Board Members’ conduct, conflict of interest, gifts, social media, elections, and complaint procedures — part of what officials say is an ongoing effort to strengthen accountability and transparency in local government.

The revised bylaw clarifies expectations for elected officials and outlines a more structured and transparent process for investigating and resolving complaints about alleged misconduct. “These updates strengthen our governance framework and clarify the responsibilities of Board Members while ensuring a fair process for handling complaints,” said TNRD Chair Barbara Roden.

Highlights of the Updated Bylaw

The new bylaw outlines standards and procedures in several key areas:

• Member Conduct and Conflict of Interest: Members must avoid conflicts and follow updated rules on gifts, benefits, and political activity. Social media guidelines now set clearer expectations for appropriate online behaviour.

• Complaint and Investigation Process: Complaints undergo a preliminary assessment to determine validity, with an emphasis on informal resolution whenever possible.

• Formal Investigations: If informal resolution isn’t possible, an independent investigator can conduct a formal inquiry, gather evidence, and interview witnesses — all while adhering to procedural fairness.

• Board Decisions and Sanctions: After receiving the investigator’s report, the Board may impose sanctions ranging from a written reprimand or mandatory training to suspension from committees or public censure.

• Legal Fee Reimbursement: Members may request reimbursement for legal costs related to complaint responses, subject to Board approval and conditions.

• Investigator Independence: Investigators must act fairly and independently, and can only be dismissed for cause.

• Confidentiality and Disclosure: Investigations remain confidential, but summaries of findings and sanctions will be made public, with personal details redacted.

• Protection Against Retaliation: The bylaw prohibits reprisals against complainants or witnesses and allows disciplinary action for obstruction or vexatious complaints.

“An Evolving Area”

In an interview, Chair Barbara Roden said the update reflects how quickly expectations around conduct and transparency are changing in local government. “Transparency is always critically important,” Roden said. “We need to be transparent as local governments about what we’re doing — that includes matters that in the past might have been treated as more internal.”

Roden noted that many code-of-conduct issues now play out in the public eye, especially on social media. “People need to see what’s being done and know that something is being done,” she said. “Of course, we need to be fair to all concerned, because often what you see out there in the public realm isn’t entirely accurate.”

The TNRD’s update comes as local governments across British Columbia revisit their own codes of conduct, prompted by both provincial guidance and growing public scrutiny. “We’ve gone in just a very few years from codes of conduct being completely voluntary — and there are still local governments that don’t have one — to a point where, as of the next election, all local governments will have to have one,” Roden explained. “It’s an area that’s evolving so quickly, and every new case brings wrinkles we hadn’t anticipated.”

“Living Documents”

Roden said the Board sees the bylaw as a living document that will continue to evolve as new situations arise. “Our policies and bylaws aren’t meant to be written, signed off on, and then put on a shelf to gather dust,” she said. “They’re supposed to be living documents. I would have hoped that codes of conduct wouldn’t need to be overhauled every year, but increasingly it looks as if local governments are going to have to do that.”

She added that local governments often adapt and learn from situations elsewhere. “It’s not necessarily in your own local government, but we look around and see something happen elsewhere and realize we need to address that too — just in case it happens here. It really is a case of planning for the worst and hoping for the best.”

The updated TNRD Member Conduct and Complaint Bylaw is now in effect. All members and staff are expected to comply with the revised standards and procedures.