Accountability and Transparency

The integrity commissioner’s mandate includes four key functions:

Advisory

The integrity commissioner:

• Provides written and oral advice to individual members of council about their obligations under the code of conduct and other bylaws and policies governing ethical behaviour
• Offers general interpretation of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
• Provides council with specific and general advice on compliance with governing legislation and conduct policies

Complaint Investigation

The integrity commissioner:

• Assesses and investigates complaints from members of council, council as a whole or members of the public
• Acts in accordance with section 223.4 of the Municipal Act, 2001

Complaint Adjudication

The integrity commissioner:

• Determines whether a member of council has violated a city protocol, bylaw or policy governing ethical behaviour
• Recommends penalties as permitted under the Municipal Act, 2001

Council is responsible for the final decision on any recommended penalty.

Education

The integrity commissioner:

• Publishes an annual report summarizing advice and complaint cases
• Provides outreach and education to council members and staff on legislation, protocols and procedures
• Promotes awareness of ethical governance and public confidence
• Shares information about the office of the integrity commissioner with the public

Section 223.3 of the Municipal Act, 2001 enables a municipality to appoint an integrity commissioner to address the application of the code of conduct for elected officials and members of local boards.

The legislation also allows the integrity commissioner to be delegated any or all policy matters related to enforcing codes of conduct for elected officials and members of local boards.

Under section 223.4 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the integrity commissioner may recommend the following penalties if a contravention has occurred:

• A reprimand
• Suspension of remuneration for a council or local board member for up to 90 days

Council makes the final decision on whether to impose any recommended penalty.

Any individual who has identified or witnessed behaviour that may contravene the code of conduct may use the formal complaint process.

How to Submit a Complaint

All formal complaints must meet the following requirements:

• Be submitted using the formal complaint form and affidavit
• Be dated and signed by the complainant
• Include a concise explanation of the alleged contravention
• Include all supporting evidence
• Identify any witnesses
• Include:
  
  • The name of the member
  • The section of the code of conduct allegedly breached
  • The date, time and location of the incident
  • Any other required information on the form

Submission and Review

• Complaints must be filed with the integrity commissioner
• The commissioner will confirm whether the submission is complete
• The commissioner will determine whether the complaint relates to the code of conduct and is not covered by other legislation or policy
• The commissioner may request additional information, but is not required to do so

Accessing Materials and Support

For assistance submitting a complaint, contact the city clerk’s office at clerksoffice@belleville.ca. 

The municipality will:

• Fully co-operate with the municipal closed meeting investigator
• Provide all requested information, including written materials and interviews
• Place any investigation report on a public council agenda
• Consider the report in an open session of council

The closed meeting investigator process applies to:

• All appointed boards
• Committees
• Subcommittees

Exceptions:

• Police services board
• Public library board

Members of the public, including corporations, may request an investigation into whether a meeting complied with the Municipal Act, 2001 or the municipal procedure bylaw.

This applies to meetings, or parts of meetings, that are closed to the public.

Request an Investigation

You may request an investigation if you believe:

• A meeting of council
• A local board
• A committee

was improperly closed to the public.

Contact Information

For information about the closed meeting investigator process, contact the city clerk’s department at clerksoffice@belleville.ca. 

Provincial Ombudsman

You may also submit a complaint directly to the Ontario ombudsman:

• Website: https://www.ombudsman.on.ca/have-a-complaint/make-a-complaint 
• Phone: 1-800-263-1830
• TTY: 1-866-411-4211