The President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador is applauding new legislation that comes into effect today that provides clear guidelines for municipalities to develop their own codes of conduct.

Grand Falls-Windsor councillor Amy Coady says the new legislation provides greater clarity on issues including conflict of interest.

She says the previous legislation laid out some criteria for conflict of interest, “but it was very open to interpretation.” The new Act lays it out more clearly and provides different levels of disciplinary action that a council can decide on” if a councillor is found in conflict.

Municipalities now have six months to develop or update their own codes of conduct, using the new legislation as a guide.