On conflicts of interest, and municipal ethics and accountabilityOn the AgendaBy Cedric LoweLocal Journalism InitiativeThis week’s On the Agenda covers the second part of a discussion with Professor Danielle Pilette from UQAM’s School of Management Sciences, this time with a focus on her academic background in municipal management and ethics. The Municipal Ethics and Good Conduct Act requires that elected officials disclose pecuniary interests that may conflict with being a sitting member of council. Pilette noted that “Municipal elected officials are often people tied to property. Pilette stated that the best way for residents to maintain accountability from their municipality is to consult a citizens’ group or join one. Pilette said that “Once the municipality is used to working with these community citizen groups, it becomes much more cautious.”