Integrity Commissioner & Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct for Members of Council provides Councillors with a framework to guide ethical conduct in a way that upholds the integrity of the Township and the high standards of professional conduct the public expects from elected officials.

Clearview Township Council has appointed Principles Integrity to act as its Integrity Commissioner providing accountability services to the Township. The services of the Integrity Commissioner include:

To provide advice on the application of the Code of Conduct, Township policies, procedures and rules, the complaint protocol and section 5 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
To conduct inquiries regarding whether a member has contravened the Code of Conduct or section 5 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
To provide advice to a member, upon written request, respecting the member's obligations under the Code of Conduct, Township policies, procedures and rules, the complaint protocol and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
To provide opinions on policy matters and make other reports to council as requested on issues of ethics and integrity;
To provide educational information and training to council, to members and to the public on matters related to the Code of Conduct and issues of ethics and integrity and to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
To provide general information to members of the public, on request, about the Code of Conduct, the complaint protocol and the availability of complaint resolution services or referrals as contemplated by the complaint protocol;
To maintain custody and control of the integrity commissioner's complaint and inquiry files and, on completion of his or her term of appointment, to transfer open files relating to ongoing matters to the incoming Integrity Commissioner appointed by council; and
To provide such other services respecting ethical and integrity matters as assigned by council or as may be required by the Municipal Act, 2001

To submit a complaint, use the complaint form and send it directly to the Integrity Commissioner:

Principles Integrity
Jeffrey A. Abrams and Janice Atwood
Email: postoffice@principlesintegrity.org
Tel: 647-259-8697

For additional information please contact the Integrity Commissioner's office at the contact information provided above.

Complaints and Investigations

The following section details information related to submitting a complaint and the process of an associated investigation.

There are two protocols for submitting a complaint: Informal or Formal

Any person or a representative of an organization who has identified or witnessed behaviour or an activity by a member of Council that they believe is in contravention of the Code of Conduct (the “Code”) or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act 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 through a formal complaint.
All persons and organizations are encouraged to initially pursue this informal complaint procedure as a means of stopping and remedying a behavior or activity that is prohibited by the Code. However, it is not a precondition or a prerequisite that those complaining must pursue the informal complaint procedure before pursuing a formal complaint.
Any individual who has identified or witnessed behaviour or activity by a Member that appears to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act may address his or her concerns through the formal complaint process set out below, if resolution was not found through the informal complaint process.
All formal complaints should contain the following information:
Name of municipality
- Complainant's name, mailing address, telephone number and email address
- Nature and background of the particular occurrence including a concise explanation as to why the issue raised may be a contravention of the Code of Conduct or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and any and all evidence in support of the allegation
- Any activities undertaken (if any) to resolve the concern
- Any other information
- Original signature
Formal complaints are to be submitted directly to the Integrity Commissioner:
Principles Integrity
Jeffrey A. Abrams and Janice Atwood
Email: postoffice@principlesintegrity.org
Tel: 647-259-8697
For additional information please contact the Integrity Commissioner's office at the contact information provided above.
If the Integrity Commissioner undertakes an investigation following a public complaint and the findings confirm a breach of the Code of Conduct, appropriate penalties, as defined in the legislation, will be recommended to Council, and will become a matter of public record.
Penalties permitted under the Municipal Act, 2001 include a reprimand or the suspension of the Council Member's salary for a period of up to 90 days.