Haldimand–Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is raising serious concerns about Ontario’s proposed Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025, warning that it risks undermining democracy instead of fixing ethics issues in local government.
The Ford government introduced the bill in May. Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025, introduces a uniform code of conduct for all Ontario municipal councils and boards. It creates a new framework for integrity commissioners, with training, education, and investigations of serious violations. The Act also allows removal of councillors for misconduct and makes compliance with the code mandatory province-wide.
While those measures may sound positive, Brady argues that the legislation’s core flaw is its ability to remove elected councillors for “egregious” code of conduct violations.
“The problem is the definition of ‘egregious,’” Brady explained. “It leaves the door open for abuse and political weaponization.”
Veronica Charrois, a Grimsby Councillor, echoed those fears during public hearings, warning that vague language could allow political factions to misuse complaints to silence opponents.
Brady said voters—not councillors—should decide who remains in office at the ballot box. She also noted that mayors and councillors are already drained by costly complaints under the current system.
“Bill 9 does not reform a broken system,” Brady said. “It makes it worse by politicizing the process and threatening democratic accountability.”
Written by Jeremy Hall