Integrity Commissioner

The Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial position that reports directly to Council.

 Duties of the Integrity Commissioner

 The Integrity Commissioner is responsible for:

  •  Advising Members of Council of their duties under the Code of Conduct
  • Receiving and reviewing complaints, made by a Member of Council, a staff member or the public, concerning a breach of the Code of Conduct
  • Deciding whether and how to investigate complaints concerning the conduct of Members of Council
  • Reporting outcomes and recommendations to Council, if there is an investigation

 

Submitting a complaint

 If you believe that a Member has breached the Code of Conduct or is in non-compliance, there are two options available to you:

 Informal Complaint Procedure 
 

Any person or representative of an organization who has identified or witnessed behaviour or an activity by a Member that they believe is in contravention of the Code of Conduct (the “Code”) may wish to address the prohibited behaviour or activity themselves as follows:

 

1.  Advise the Member that the behaviour or activity contravenes the Code;

2.  Encourage the Member to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity;

3.  Keep a written record of the incidents including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information;

4.  If applicable, confirm to the Member your satisfaction with the response of the Member; or, if applicable, advise the Member of your dissatisfaction with the response; and

5.  Consider the need to pursue the matter in accordance with the Formal Complaint Procedure, or in accordance with another applicable judicial or quasi-judicial process or complaint procedure.

 

All persons and organizations are encouraged to initially pursue the Informal Complaint Procedure as a means of stopping and remedying a behaviour or activity that is prohibited by the Code. With the consent of the complaining individual or organization and the Member, the Integrity Commissioner may be part of any informal process. However, it is not a precondition or a prerequisite that those complaining must pursue the Informal Complaint Procedure before pursuing the Formal Complaint Procedure
 Formal Complaint Procedure 
 

1.  All complaints shall be submitted by an identifiable individual (which includes the authorized signing officer of an organization).

2.  A complaint shall set out reasonable and probable grounds for the allegation that the Member has contravened the Code. 

  • The complaint should include the name of the Member, the section(s) of the Code allegedly contravened, facts constituting the alleged contravention, the names and contact information of witnesses, and contact information for the complainant during normal business hours.

Election Blackout Period:

 No investigation shall be commenced or continued, nor shall the Integrity Commissioner report to Council respecting an investigation, within the election period described within Sections 223.4 and 223.4.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, except as described in those sections.

Submit a Formal Complaint directly to the Integrity Commissioner

Contact Us