Municipal politicians as well as federal and provincial office holders are subject to section 122 of the criminal code for committing fraud or breach of trust in connection with the duties of his or her elected office. A breach of trust is any act, or neglect to act contrary to the duty imposed by statute, regulation, employment, contract of official directive where the politician benefits personally, whether directly or indirectly. In other words, the politician performs official duties but in return for consideration, benefits or rewards. Such breach is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The behaviour of municipal politicians is subject to certain statutory and common law principles. Municipal corruption is covered under section 123 of the criminal code.

Any person who gives, offers or agrees to give or offer a municipal official, a loan, reward, advantage or benefit, in order to induce the official to abstain from voting, or to vote in favor of or against a motion or resolution, may find themselves spending up to five years in prison. Both the municipal official if he or she accepts and the person making the offer or gift would be guilty of the offence. Attempting to influence a municipal official by suppressing the truth or by threat or deceit is also an offence. The purpose of such offences is of course to protect the public against the misuse of an elected office or official position, and to protect the politician against illicit or improper approaches by the public.

The behaviour of municipal politicians is subject to certain statutory and common law principles. Selling or purchasing office is covered by section 124 of the criminal code.

If a person sells or agrees to sell an appointment to or a resignation from a public office, they could face a penalty of up to five years in prison. Consenting to any such appointment or resignation, or receiving or agreeing to receive a reward or profit from the purported sale of an office will be similarly punished. Section 125 of the criminal code goes on to prohibit receiving, directly or indirectly, any reward, advantage or benefit for cooperating, assisting or exercising influence to secure the appointment of any person to a public office. The criminal code provisions are designed to set a high level of public morality for those who give out public appointments and for those who are seeking them.

The behaviour of municipal politicians is subject to certain statutory and common law principles. The municipal conflict of interest act requires disclosure of pecuniary interests by local politicians.

A municipal politician must disclose pecuniary interests and refrain from discussions and voting on the matter under consideration. In fact the politician must not attempt to influence the voting. Where a reeve declared a conflict, left his seat, but shouted at the remaining councilors from the public gallery, he was found to have contravened the act by shouting and trying to influence the vote. The penalties for failing to comply include being ordered to vacate the seat held and disqualification from public office for up to seven years, as well as restitution to a third party of any personal financial gain. A judge may also order the payment of court costs.

The municipal conflict of interest act requires disclosure of direct or indirect pecuniary interests by members of elected councils and appointed boards.

The purpose of the municipal conflict of interest act is to prevent a local politician or appointee to a board from personally profiting from his or her decision making. Conflicts of interest are allowable behaviour if the person discloses any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agenda item, and then refrains from discussion and voting. If a member is absent from a meeting on the first opportunity back, the member must disclose the pecuniary interest. If the meeting is in camera or closed to the public, then the member must both disclose and leave the room where the matter is being discussed. Direct or indirect pecuniary interests of a parent, spouse and child are deemed to be the pecuniary interest of the member.