Conflict of Interest Provisions in the Community Charter

The recent British Columbia Court of Appeal (BCCA) decision on conflict of interest in Schlenker v. Torgrimson has introduced a number of considerations for staff and elected officials when determining when elected officials may be in a conflict of interest contrary to provisions of the Community Charter.

The Local Government Management Association and UBCM have collaborated with the provincial Ministry of Community, Sport & Cultural Development to review the BCCA decision and identify some key questions and practical steps to assist local government elected officials and staff when applying the implications of the decision to their individual circumstances. Please see below for the report on the LGMA-UBCM review of the BCCA decision on conflict of interest.

In addition, a number of local government legal advisors have released bulletins regarding the BCCA decision. These are made available below for the reference of local governments. If there are any questions about the contents of these bulletins, please contact the authors directly.

James Yardley, Murdy & McAllister

Francesca Marzari, Young Anderson, Barristers & Solicitors

Stewart McDannold Stuart, Barristers & Solicitors

Olga Rivkin and Kathleen Higgins, Bull Housser

Fulton & Company LLP