A New Oath of Office: Restoring Trust and Honesty in Elected Office

Bynashra

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 April 2026

QUEEN’S PARK – Dr. Adil Shamji, Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East, has introduced legislation to establish a new Oath of Office for all members of the Ontario Legislature, emphasizing honesty, integrity, and accountability.

“Trust in public institutions – particularly in politicians – has plummeted recently while the need for principled leadership has only grown. With our province confronted by crises across health, housing, and cost-of-living, Ontarians need a government preoccupied with protecting its citizens, instead of itself.

“”The events of the past eight years reveal how much work remains to be done. As the government moves to shield itself by dismantling freedom of information laws, faces criminal investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and backtracks over false statements about criminals lost from Ontario prisons, urgent action is needed to begin restoring trust in our institutions.

“This afternoon, I will introduce legislation that would require all newly elected Members of Provincial Parliament to take an oath of office before assuming their seats in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Currently, members are required only to make an oath of allegiance to the King.

“The new oath outlines principles that match the weight of the office MPPs hold, including:

  • Telling the truth
  • Acting in the public interest
  • Rejecting payment or reward to act in a biased or corrupt manner
  • Obeying the principles of our Legislature and the laws of our land

“Oaths are already commonplace in settings such as law, policing, and municipal governance. They serve as a set of shared principles that bind individuals to themselves and the people they serve. If passed, this oath would be an important first step in formally and publicly beginning to restore trust in government.

“Although MPPs will not face an obligation to subscribe to this oath unless the bill is passed, all members are being invited to do so voluntarily as a powerful signal of their commitment to acting with fairness, honesty and integrity.”

Similar Posts