Hampstead became one of the first municipalities in Quebec to adopt a code of ethics for members of council. Subsequently, the Quebec government passed Bill 109, which requires all municipalities in the province to adopt such a code.
Bill Steinberg wrote the Hampstead Code of Ethics and it is probably the most stringent code of ethics in the province. The Hampstead Code goes well beyond the minimum requirements of Bill 109.
The code includes prohibitions against immediate family members being hired by the Town. It also does not allow members of the council to have a direct supplier relationship with the Town. While Bill 109 permits gifts of up to $200 in some circumstances, Hampstead’s code limits the maximum to $40. It also has additional rules about confidentiality.
- Bill goes above and beyond the requirements of the code by refusing all gifts, regardless of value.
- The Mayor gets absolutely no preferential treatment, for example, no priority snow removal on his street, paving is done by necessity, etc.
- Thanks to Bill’s fight to demerge from Montreal, Hampstead has NOT been subjected to the Montreal and Laval corruption scandals.
- Has implemented many layers of supervision and monitoring to make sure the Town does not get cheated by contractors.
- Has a proven track record that he keeps his electoral promises.
- Bill won’t take more than $200 in campaign contributions; and didn’t even when the legal limit was $1000.