KIRKLAND LAKE — Kirkland Lake’s first-ever social media policy won’t include elected officials.
While staff originally pitched having it apply to everyone, council changed the scope to focus on employees and volunteers.
“Social media plays a huge role in our personal and work lives. Open communications with the Town of Kirkland Lake depend on social media. However, the town does not have a social media policy. The lack of social media policy creates risk,” said outgoing CAO Alan Smith at the June 2 council meeting.
The approved policy, which will take effect after a bylaw is passed, sets rules for official town social media accounts, content moderation, privacy, accessibility, and employee behaviour online.
It also outlines how municipal accounts are managed, sets rules for removing inappropriate content and blocking users, and bans employees from sharing confidential information.
Council members will be governed by the Municipal Act, the town’s code of conduct, and the integrity commissioner process.
Staff created the policy after looking at social media policies from 10 other Ontario municipalities. A staff report said the town’s growing use of digital communication made it important to set clear expectations, be more consistent, and lower risk.
Coun. Casey Owens was one of several councillors who opposed including elected officials in the policy.
“We are regulated by our code of conduct. We are also regulated by the Municipal Act,” Owens said.
“It shouldn’t be up to an HR department to discipline a council member when they don’t have that authority to do so. If there’s a problem with what I post on my personal Facebook page, it should be dealt with through the integrity commissioner, not through a staff member.”
Councillors Lad Shaba and Dolly Dikens agreed with Owens’ concerns.
Smith said different municipalities have different approaches to social media policies for elected officials.
“When we put this policy together, we looked at examples from municipalities, and it was wide ranging,” he said.
“Some municipalities include their council in their social media policies, some don’t.”
Coun. Rick Owen also questioned whether the policy was needed, saying many of its rules are already covered by existing laws.
“I find this policy very redundant with all the laws that are already in place,” he said.
“Do we really need another policy when it’s already covered in law?”
Mayor Stacy Wight said she usually supports having clear policies, but agreed that the draft did not accurately show how councillors are held accountable.
“I was actually looking forward to a policy,” Wight said.
“I come from a healthcare background, which your policies protect you when you follow your policies, and that’s why we have policies.”
While she supported the amendment, Wight said she would like a separate social media policy created for council members who are active online.
Employees and designated social media moderators will be trained on the new policy in the next 30 days.
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative
Original Published on Jun 08, 2026 at 12:42
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