Let’s play twenty questions with the Social Media Policy for elected officials in McNab-Braeside!
One entity has fueled a maelstrom via What’s Up McNab-Braeside over perceived shortfalls in the online behaviour of the Township’s Mayor.
There are not one, but two guiding documents in McNab-Braeside’s terms of reference:
The Township’s Social Media Policy applies to all staff and members of Council when using social media to conduct Township business.
The Council Code of Conduct sets behavioural standards for elected officials, including how they communicate publicly and online.
The point being circulated via a current What’s Up McNab-Braeside thread is essentially correct.
Elected officials may block (perceived) abusive users on personal accounts, but blocking constituents from accounts used for official communication can violate Charter rights related to access to government information.
The Recourse? (And the escalating windows for remedy apply in all simillar circumstances):
1. Ask for voluntary reinstatement (the “soft” remedy).
2. File a Code of Conduct complaint with the Integrity Commissioner
3. File a complaint under the Township Social Media Policy
4. Pursue a Charter challenge in court
5. File a Human Rights complaint (if discrimination is involved).
It is noted that no defenders of what are perceived or portrayed to be the individual’s actions in the active thread at this writing.
By Rick Stow
