The City is dedicated to ensuring a safe, respectful, and harassment-free environment for Council Members, City Staff, and Members of the Public for the enjoyment of City services and facilities. This policy establishes the minimum behaviour requirements of Members of the Public and outlines the consequences for violations of the behavioural requirements.
View the Public Conduct Policy here.
Who does this policy apply to?
This policy applies to all public use of City facilities, services, and events, covering both in-person and all forms of communication, including social media, phone, and written correspondence. It applies to interactions between Members of the Public, Members of the Public and City Staff, and Members of the Public and Council Members. This policy is intended to align with the City’s Respectful Workplace Policy, Code of Conduct Policies, Health and Safety Policy, Facilities Code of Conduct Policy, and applicable laws.
What is inappropriate behaviour?
Harassment, discrimination, or violent behaviours that take place during the use of City Services or Facilities are considered to be inappropriate and unacceptable.
The decision to classify a person’s behaviour as “Inappropriate Behaviour” could have serious consequences for the individual, including restricting their access to City Staff, Council Members, Services, and Facilities. This determination may be a result of a repeated pattern of conduct, or it may be a single significant incident that requires invocation of this policy.
Determining whether particular behaviours are “Inappropriate Behaviour” can require a flexible balancing exercise considering all circumstances of a particular case.
How to Report
Members of the public are encouraged to seek immediate assistance from any City employee in close proximity if experiencing disrespectful or inappropriate conduct from anyone on our premises. If they feel their safety is at risk they should call the Police.
Members of the public can report concerns they experience or witness towards City employees or other visitors on our premises. To report a concern, they can notify a City employee on premises to assist and are encouraged to complete an Public Concern Form or call the City (519)-271-0250 x 5278. The employees and management involved with the incident will follow the guidelines of the Respectful Workplace Policy when responding to an occurrence of disrespectful and inappropriate behaviour.
Additional Resources
H.1.36 Respectful Workplace Policy
H.1.27 Employee Code of Conduct Policy
Code of Conduct – Council, Local Boards and Committees
C.1.13 Facilities Code of Conduct Policy
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns about the Public Conduct Policy, contact Human Resources by calling 519-271-0250 or emailing the Human Resource's Office.