Accountability and Transparency

• Investigate complaints and alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.
• Review the Code of Conduct for Members of Council and make recommendations on an annual basis.
• Serve as an advisor to individual Members of Council in relation to the Code of Conduct and any procedures, rules and policies of the municipality governing ethical behaviour, and act as a proactive educator for Council and the Civic Administration.
• Provide reports to Council, summarizing his activities.
• Provide individual investigative reports, as required, which will include background concerning a complaint and recommendations to Municipal Council with respect to a complaint.

View the Code of Conduct which all Members of Council, Local Boards and Advisory Committees must operate.

Any individual, organization, Town or Local Board employee, and Member, who has reasonable grounds to believe that a Member has breached a provision of the Code of Conduct, may file an application to the Integrity Commissioner using the Formal Complaint Form and Affidavit.

An application may only be made within six weeks after the applicant became aware of the alleged contravention. An application may be made more than six weeks after the applicant became aware of the alleged contravention if both of the following are satisfied:

a) The applicant became aware of the alleged contravention within the period of time starting six weeks before nomination day for a regular election, as set out in section 31 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, and ending on voting day in a regular election, as set out in section 5 of that Act.

b) The applicant applies to the Commissioner under subsection 2 within six weeks after the day after voting day in a regular election, as set out in section 5 of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Any individual who has identified or witnessed behaviour or activity by a Member that appears to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct are encouraged to address his or her concerns in the following manner:

a) Advise the Member that their behaviour or activity contravenes the Code of Conduct;

b) Encourage the Member to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity;

c) If applicable, confirm to the Member his or her satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the Member’s response to the concern identified;

d) If not satisfied with the response received through the informal process, an individual may proceed with a formal complaint through the Integrity Commissioner as outlined below under Formal Complaints.

Any individual filing a complaint should keep a written record of the incidents including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information, including steps taken to resolve the matter. 

Any individual who has identified or witnessed behaviour or activity by a Member that appears to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct may address his or her concerns through the formal complaint process set out below: 

a) all formal complaints must be made using the Formal Complaint Form and Affidavit and shall be dated and signed by the complainant;

b) the complaint must include a concise explanation as to why the issue raised may be a contravention of the Code of Conduct and any and all evidence in support of the allegation must be included with the Complaints Form/Affidavit;

c) any witnesses in support of the allegation must be identified on the Complaint Form/Affidavit;

d) the Complaint Form/Affidavit must include the name of the Member alleged to have breached the Code of Conduct, the section of the Code of Conduct allegedly contravened, the date, time and location of the alleged contravention and any and all other information as required on the Complaint Form/Affidavit;

e) the complaint shall be filed with the Integrity Commissioner who shall confirm that the information is complete;

f) the Integrity Commissioner will determine whether the matter is, on its face, a complaint with respect to compliance with the Code of Conduct and is not covered by any other applicable legislation or policy; and

g) the Integrity Commissioner may, but shall not be obligated, to request additional information from the complainant.

Robert J. Swayze
Integrity Commissioner
20736 Mississauga Road
Caledon, ON L7K 1M7

Tel: 519-942-0070
Fax: 519-942-1233

E-Mail: robert.swayze39@gmail.com