Clause 9 of The Code

Professional Development:

"Members have an obligation to promote,support,pursue and partake in opportunities for professional development, including but not limited to Federal, Provincial and Municipal conferences, seminars and workshops. Council Members are encouraged to stay updated on issues and trends so that they can be as efficient and effective as possible in the carriage of their duties and responsibilities"

Each read The Code and signed two copies, as they required themselves to do.

The first workshop that came our way after passage of The Code was held by our first Integrity Commissioner.

Neither the Mayor nor Councillor MacEachern attended. It was closed to allow free and uninhibited exchange of questions and answers.

The second workshop was held in public and turned out to be something of a tug of war. . No understanding of the purpose of the Code became apparent in the process.

A resolution by Councillor Collins Mrakas to hold educational workshops on the Code was
brusquely dismissed. Councillor MacEachern was adamant she had no need of being educated.

The first complaint filed under The Code, with the assistance of a lawyer, at taxpayer's expense
was dismissed summarily.

The first Commissioner was "stripped of his authority"

This year, On a motion by Councillor Gaertner, Council trimmed by two- thirds the budget for Councillors to attend seminars and conferences et al.

It was the first Council in many years not to have the benefit of off-site orientation at the start of the term to bring new Councillors up to date with workshops on town business.

The Mayor had the benefit at the regional level. But not Councillors in Aurora.

Staff have annual Leadership Conferences off site, but not Councillors.

Yet there it is in The Code.

A high-minded statement about the merits of exercising one's intellect for the benefit of the Municipal Corporation.

I think, one can say without equivocation, at this point in this term of office, at no time has there ever been any evidence of this objective being sought, let alone attained. .

Even to the minimal extent, as required by the Code, of reading and understanding the document.

I believe it cost $16,2000 to be advised of The Code as a solution and $4000. in legal fees to write.