BC’s Ombudsperson Sandy Hermiston is pleased the province is responding to calls from her office and others to ensure independent and enforceable oversight of local officials by introducing legislation to strengthen standards of conduct.

The Ombudsperson’s office has been calling for legislative action on this issue since 2022. Responding to two independent reports from Vancouver in 2025, the Ombudsperson expressed concern that local ethics commissioners faced risks of interference from the councils or boards whose actions they may be investigating.

The new legislation will address these concerns by allowing the province to establish a mandatory code of conduct for all local elected officials in BC with consistent processes for complaints and investigations, supported by independent investigators.

“I am heartened to see that government is taking positive action to ensure councils and regional boards work respectfully and responsibly in the public interest, said Hermiston. “At a time when trust in governments and institutions appears to be wavering, this legislation will help to rebuild a strong foundation of fairness, trust, and accountability for our local governments.”

View our previous public statement