EDMONTON — Alberta is moving to introduce a provincewide code of conduct for municipal councils, replacing a system the government scrapped less than a year ago.
Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams says proposed amendments to the Municipal Government Act would establish a uniform framework governing the behaviour of councillors across the province, with legislation expected to be tabled in the coming weeks.
The new system would require complaints to be handled by independent third-party investigators selected from a provincially approved roster, with an appeal commissioner also appointed by the province. Municipalities would generally be responsible for the cost of investigations, while the province would retain the ability to initiate its own probes.
The proposed framework is intended to replace a previous patchwork of local rules after the United Conservative government eliminated municipal codes of conduct in 2025, arguing they were sometimes used to silence dissent within councils.
Under the new model, the province would also have authority to accept or reject recommendations from appeal commissioners, and in serious cases, matters could be referred to the courts. Penalties are expected to mirror those previously in place, including limits on a councillor’s roles or responsibilities.
The plan has drawn cautious support from municipal leaders, who have called for clearer rules and independent oversight, while critics have raised concerns about how enforcement will be applied. The government says further details will be developed in consultation with municipalities, with regulations expected later this year.
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