Yesterday’s passage of Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2026 by the province is an important step toward strengthening accountability and respect in our municipalities.
For too long, there have been limited tools available to address inappropriate behaviour toward colleagues and staff. No one should be above treating others with dignity and respect – especially elected officials.
Bill 9 provides greater accountability, increased transparency, and additional mechanisms to address the most serious misconduct, with the bar for removing someone from office set appropriately high, as it should be in a democracy.
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) have long been strong advocates for the creation of a consistent and robust province-wide municipal code of conduct through motions, letters, meetings with the Minister, and a presentation to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy.
Thank you to Minister Flack, for bringing this legislation forward, and thank you to all those who have advocated alongside us for this change, including the Women of Ontario Say No, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and many other organizations and municipalities across the province.
We look forward to continuing our work with the province on the details of what should be included in the new standardized municipal code of conduct.
“Elected officials must be accountable and held to a higher standard. Democracy depends on respectful conduct, and this legislation helps ensure there are consequences for inappropriate behaviour. OBCM has been advocating on this issue for many years and we look forward to continuing our work with the province on the details of what should be included in the new standardized municipal code of conduct.”
- Marianne Meed Ward, Chair of OBCM and Mayor of Burlington
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), is a non-partisan organization that includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent 70% of Ontario’s population and almost 30% of Canada’s. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities.
Media Contacts
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Chair Michelle Baker, Executive Director
chair@obcm.ca michelle@obcm.ca
905-335-7777 647-308-6602