Accountability and Transparency

Ensuring accountability and transparency is a priority in maintaining public trust. It's also one of Council’s roles under section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act). The following policies and procedures are in place to help ensure that the Town of Tillsonburg meets its obligations under the Municipal Act. 

Integrity Commissioner

The Integrity Commissioner provides an independent and consistent complaint investigation and resolution process respecting the application of the Code of Conduct. It is an impartial position that reports directly to Town Council and whose powers and duties are set out in the Municipal Act, 2001

Pursuant to Section 223.3 of the Municipal Act, 2001, Council retains Robert J. Swayze  as the Integrity Commissioner.

  • 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

 

Meeting Investigator

The role of the Meeting Investigator is to investigate in an independent manner any complaint as to whether the Town has complied with the Municipal Act, 2001, or the Town of Tillsonburg Procedural By-Law in respect of a meeting, or part of a meeting, that was closed to the public. 

Pursuant to Section 239.2 of the Municipal Act, 2001, Council appointed Robert J. Swayze as the Meeting Investigator for the Town of Tillsonburg.

Contact Information:

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

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

All members of Council, local boards and committees have an obligation to act honestly and responsibly when making decisions or giving advice on Council, board or committee matters. This obligation includes the disclosure of pecuniary interest.

A pecuniary interest refers to a situation where a member has a direct or indirect conflict related to a matter under consideration. A full explanation of direct and indirect pecuniary interests can be found in the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

The onus is on the member to determine whether they are affected by the pecuniary interest provisions. All members must submit their disclosures of pecuniary interest in writing to the Clerk immediately following the meeting during which they verbally disclose a pecuniary interest using the Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest Form.

A registry of the written disclosures of pecuniary interests is available below. 

Date Member Meeting Type Agenda Item Number Reason for Disclosure
December 12, 2022 Mayor Deb Gilvesy Regular Council  9.1 A family member is recommended for appointment.
December 12, 2022 Councillor Chris Rosehart Regular Council 9.1  A family member is recommended for appointment.
December 12, 2022 Councillor Chris Rosehart Regular Council 11.7.2 A family member will receive a financial gain.

 

Date Member Meeting Type Agenda Item Number Reason for Disclosure
January 25, 2021 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Regular Council  14.2.1 As a building owner in the BIA zone, an expansion would result in a direct financial gain. 
Febuary 16, 2021 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Regular Council 5.3 The applicant is her husband. 
Febuary 22, 2021 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Regular Council  19.1 A zoning by-law pertains to property owned by her husband.
October 25, 2021 Councillor Chris Rosehart Regular Council  10.2 Son owns a restaurant that currently operates a patio and has an interest in this item.
Date Member Meeting Type Agenda Item Number Reason for Disclosure
February 27, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Closed Council  4.1 An immediate family member may receive financial gain from the sale of the property referred to in item 4.1 of the closed session agenda of February 27, 2020.
March 9, 2020 Deputy Mayor Dave Beres Closed Council 1.4.3 A family member is a listing real estate agent for the subject property.
March 9, 2020 Deputy Mayor Dave Beres Regular Council  9 An immediate family member is a listing real estate agent for the property.
March 9, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Closed Council  1.4.3 An immediate family member may receive financial gain from the sale of property. 
March 23, 2020 Deputy Mayor Dave Beres Closed Council 1.4.1 A family member is a Real Estate listing agent. 
March 23, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Closed Council 1.4.1 An immediate family member may receive financial gain from the sale of property.
April 14, 2020 Deputy Mayor Dave Beres Regular Council 20.6 A family member will receive financial gain.
April 14, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Regular Council 20.6 A family member will receive financial gain.
April 14, 2020 Councillor Chris Rosehart Regular Council 15.7.5 Son submitted a proposal.
May 25, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Closed Council 1.4.1 An immediate family member may receive financial gain from the sale of property.
May 25, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Closed Council 1.4.2 An immediate family member may receive financial gain from the sale of property.
May 25, 2020 Deputy Mayor Dave Beres Closed Council  1.4.2 A family member is the Real Estate listing agent. 
July 27, 2020 Deputy Mayor Dave Beres Regular Council 5.1 Owns commercial property between the downtown core and the commercial property. 
July 27, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Regular Council 5.1 Owns property in BIA Zone and husband owns property in the area of the subject property. 
July 27, 2020 Councillor Chris Rosehart Regular Council 5.1 Son owns property in the downtown area.
October 26, 2020 Councillor Chris Rosehart Regular Council 14.2.1 Son owns a restaurant that currently operates a patio and has interest in this item. 
November 9, 2020 Councillor Chris Rosehart Regular Council  14.2.1 Son in the individual being recommended for appointment to the BIA Board of Directors. 
December 14, 2020 Councillor Deb Gilvesy Regular Council  10.2 Buildings owned in the downtown core would see a direct financial gain if the proposed expansion comes to fruition. 
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