November 13 - Westmount Independent

2 – WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT – November 13, 2012Café Jonah James • 5100 rue Sherbrooke Ouest • 514-507-3047 • jonahjamescoffee.comIt’s not too late to reserve your holiday dinner party!Make office parties, family get-togethers or any holiday affair festive, delectable and fun!❆Il n’est pas trop tard pour réserver votre souper des fêtes!Nous vous proposons un délicieux menu gastronomique pour rendre vos fêtes de bureau,réunions de famille, ou tout autre repas festif des plus agréables et délectables!Available for groups of 6 or more. By reservation only. Pour les groupes de 6 ou plus seulement. Réservation requise.By Laureen SweeneyAn ethics code that has been in placefor Westmount employees since 2008 wasincorporated into a by-law (as required byQuebec of all municipalities) and adoptedat the city council meeting November 5.Westmount also has a code governingelected officials.The Westmount code lays down guidelineson how employees should carry outtheir responsibilities vis-à-vis residentsand their employer in areas of competence,integrity, loyalty, adherence to bylawsand directives, promoting the city’sculture and values, including anti-harassment.It also covers the treatment of confidentialinformation, conflicts of interest,gifts and benefits, and consequences of violation.The employee code also states that “noemployee may accept any gifts, invitationsto entertainment activities, donations,services, benefits or any other favours thatcould influence his or her work or affectthe credibility of the city.”News from city2008 employee ethics code evolvesinto required by-lawBut omitted from the by-law at the requestof the Westmount Municipal Association(WMA) in a flurry of emails tocouncil members that afternoon was a sectionimmediately following the above one.This stated that “exceptionally, a non-recurringgift” of “nominal value” may be acceptedas long as it does not place anemployee in an embarrassing position orinfluence a decision, “including meals andtickets to cultural and sporting events.”“You can’t have it both ways,” arguedPaul Marriott in the question period thatpreceded adoption of the by-law. “No gifts,that’s it.” The WMA had had “quite aheated discussion” over the issue, henoted.He also objected to an earlier statementby Councillor Patrick Martin that in asmall community like Westmount wherepeople tend to know what was happening,it is less likely for influencing to occur.Martin noted that he hadconfidence in the city’s continued on p. 11DELIVERY SPRING 2013 *• 19 Luxurious Residences• Up to 10’ ceilings• Private terraces | Loggias• Private indoor parking• From 1,600 to 4,450 sq. ft.• State-of-the-art gym withsauna & steam shower• Conference room• 2nd floor garden terraceSHOWCASED MONDAY TO FRIDAY 12 PM TO 4 PM & SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1 PM TO 4 PMSales Office:(514) 937-2220 www.1250avenuegreene.com1368 Greene Avenue, Westmount*subject to change