VANCOUVER, B.C. — Green Party Councillor Pete Fry has tabled a motion calling for major improvements to Vancouver’s Code of Conduct By-law, following recent findings from the Integrity Commissioner and an independent review highlighting systemic weaknesses in how ethical breaches are investigated and enforced.

Fry’s motion seeks to implement key recommendations from the Integrity Commissioner’s 2023 and 2024 annual reports, as well as ten additional reforms proposed by governance expert Reece Harding. These include stronger sanctions, clearer investigative procedures, and greater independence for the Integrity Commissioner’s office.

“Vancouver’s residents expect and deserve a council that plays by the rules - and consequences when those rules are broken,” said Councillor Fry. “This motion is about restoring trust, protecting our integrity systems, and making sure no one sits above accountability in City Hall,” adding, “that said, I will be moving an amendment to my motion to make it clear these sanctions are not intended to be retroactive – I don’t expect my colleagues to vote to sanction themselves for past transgressions.”

The motion also responds to the Integrity Commissioner’s August 2025 ruling, which found a majority of Council in breach of the Code of Conduct but left the City unable to act because so many members were implicated that quorum could not be reached. Fry’s proposal calls for enforceable sanctions and mechanisms to ensure that ethical violations can still be addressed even when a quorum conflict exists.

Among the measures proposed are:

• Graduated sanctions for breaches, including:
  • formal reprimands,
  • suspension of committee appointments,
  • public censure,
  • temporary loss of non-statutory voting privileges, and
  • referral to external regulatory bodies
• Structural independence and protections for the Integrity Commissioner
• Public release of investigation reports and improved confidentiality safeguards
• Provincial action to create enforceable municipal codes of conduct across British Columbia
  

“Without enforceable standards, our integrity systems risk becoming symbolic rather than substantive,” Fry added. “This motion builds on expert recommendations to give Vancouver, and hopefully all B.C. local governments , the tools to uphold transparency and accountability.”

If adopted, staff will report back within 90 days with draft amendments to By-law No. 12886 and a public implementation plan. Fry’s motion also urges the Mayor to write to the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs to push for province-wide legislation supporting local integrity commissioners and aligning B.C. with other provinces such as Ontario and Manitoba.

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