Code of Conduct | Town of Iroquois Falls

The Code of Conduct applies to members of Council and local boards.

The code provides conduct guidelines including, but not limited to the following matters:

gifts or benefits
confidential information
use of town property, services and other resources
expenses
improper use of influence
respect for decision making process

Complaint Protocol

The full Complaint Protocol is outlined in Appendix A of the Code of Conduct.

Forms

Schedule A - Informal Complaint Form

Schedule B - Formal Complaint Form

Schedule C - Application for Inquiry

Schedule D - Declaration of Office

Filing an Informal Complaint

Council, a member of Council or a member of the public 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 who wishes to address this behaviour or activity through the informal complaint procedure shall:

1. File a written request and supporting affidavit with the Clerk, noting grounds for belief of an alleged contravention including, dates, times, locations, other persons present and any other relevant information as per Schedule “A”.

2. The Clerk shall provide the subject member of Council a copy of the allegation without disclosing the identity of the complainant.

3. The member of Council will be provided ten working days in which to provide the Clerk with a written response to the allegation.

4. The complainant will be provided a copy of the members’ response and be given ten working days in which to:

a. Provide a written response to the Clerk stating satisfaction with the response; or,

b. Provide a written response to the Clerk stating dissatisfaction with the response and the need to pursue the matter in accordance with the Formal Complaint Procedure of the protocol.

5. The Clerk shall advise the member of the complainant’s position.

Anyone wishing to file a request for an investigation is encouraged to initially pursue the Informal Complaint Procedure as a means of stopping and remedying the behaviour or activity that is inconsistent with the Code of Conduct. However, it is not a precondition or prerequisite that the complainant pursues the Informal Complaint Procedure prior to pursuing the Formal Complaint Procedure.

Filing a Formal Complaint

Under Section 223.4(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, Council, a Member, or a member of the public may request the Integrity Commissioner (the “IC”) to conduct an inquiry about whether a Member has contravened the Council Code of Conduct.

Please refer to Appendix A, Section B, Formal Complaint Procedure, for the entire formal complaint process outlined in detail.

Contact the Integrity Commissioner

Name: Harold Elston

Email: helston@barristonlaw.com

Fax: 1-888-586-2297

Mail:

Harold Elston, Council
Barriston Law
One First Street, Suite 224
Collingwood, ON
L9Y 1A1

Who can file a complaint?

Council, a member of Council, or a member of the public who has identified or witnessed behaviour or an activity by a a member of Council that they believe is in contravention of the Code of Conduct.

What is the role of the Integrity Commissioner?

The Integrity Commissioner shall provide the following services:

(a) Application of the Code

(b) The application of any procedures, rules and policies of the Town and Local Boards governing the ethical behaviour of Members

(c) The application of sections 5, 5.1 and 5.2 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to Members

(d) Requests from Members for advice respecting their obligations under the Code applicable to the Member

(e) Request from Members for advice respecting their obligations under a procedure, rule or policy of the Town or of the Local Board, as the case may be, governing the ethical behaviour of Members

(f) Requests from Members for advice respecting their obligations under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

(g) The provision of educational information to Members, the Town and the public about the Code and about the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act; and

(h) Any further services as may be set out within the contract for the provision of services between the Town and the Integrity Commissioner.

Does the Integrity Commissioner investigate complaints about Town employees?

The Integrity Commissioner does not have any authority over Town employees. The activities of the Integrity Commissioner relate only to the Code of Conduct for Local Boards and Council members.