Code of Conduct
Effective October 7, 2025, amendments to the provincial Code of Conduct for Municipal Elected Officials Regulations were approved to restrict the ability to place a complaint through this process to only members of Council. Members of Council may not submit a complaint on behalf of any other person or entity.
The Code of Conduct for Elected Officials of the Region of Queens Municipality can be found at Operational Policy 96 – Code of Conduct for Elected Officials
Code of Conduct – Third-Party Investigator
On November 12, 2025, Council for Region of Queens Municipality made the following motion:
It was moved by Deputy Mayor Charlton and seconded by Councillor Jenkins THAT Council for Region of Queens Municipality appoint Charles A. Thompson of Burchell MacDougall Lawyers LLP and Noella Martin of Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP as the Municipality’s standing investigators per the requirements of the Nova Scotia Code of Conduct for Municipal Elected Officials. MOTION CARRIED unanimously.
Appointed Independent Third-Party Investigators for Code of Conduct complaints under Section 520 of the Municipal Government Act:
- Noella Martin
Burchell Wickwire Bryson LLP - Charles Thompson
Burchell MacDougall Lawyers LLP
The Municipal Clerks Office facilitates the review of formal complaints with third party investigators as noted above. It should be noted that the Municipal Clerks Office is not responsible nor involved in any investigations, other than assignment of investigators on a rotational basis.
Code of Conduct Investigations
In accordance with Code of Conduct for Elected Officials Regulations section 15 the following provides a public record of Code of Conduct Complaints.
| Date of Decision | Section of Code of Conduct | Investigator’s Conclusion | Council’s Determination |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 18, 2026 | Sections 7 (1), 16 (1), 18 (1), and 18 (8) | The Member of Council did contravene Sections 16 (1), 18 (1), and 7 (1) of the Code of Conduct. The Investigator recommends that: a) Council issue a letter of formal reprimand to the Member of Council for the contravention of the Code of Conduct; and b) Council require the Member of Council to provide a letter acknowledging their contravention and apologizing within 15 days of the date that council imposes the sanction. | Council accepts the Investigator’s conclusions and recommendations. |
In accordance with Section 16 of the regulations, Council’s determination regarding a complaint is final and binding on all parties.
