How Will Bill 9 Impact Municipal Governance?

Municipalities have long voiced concerns over misbehaving councillors and called for legislation to address inappropriate behaviour in council. In late 2024, the Ontario government answered the call by introducing Bill 9, also known as the Municipal Accountability Act.

Bill 9 amends Ontario's Municipal Act by creating a standardized municipal code of conduct and introducing stronger penalties for councillors who violate the code. Most notably, Bill 9 would give municipal councils the power to remove misbehaving councilors and disqualify them from running again for four years.

Codes of Conduct

The Municipal Act currently requires municipalities to establish codes of conduct that describe the types of behaviour that are acceptable in the workplace. Bill 9 would amend the Municipal Act by giving the Ontario government the power to create a standard code of conduct applicable to council members and members of local boards. That code would then be used to