Belleville Integrity Commissioner

Integrity Commissioners are municipal accountability officers responsible for applying the rules governing the ethical conduct of members of municipal councils and local boards (including codes of conduct) outlined in the Municipal Act, and for providing advice and education on those rules.

Belleville’s Code of Conduct applies to all Members of Council, including the Head of Council. It also applies equally to all Members of Local Boards, Commissions and Committees of the Municipality, whether or not a Member of that Local Board or Committee is also a Member of Council.

Annual reports

The Integrity Commissioner will publish an annual report on findings of typical advice and complaint cases, will provide, as required, outreach programs to members of Council and staff on legislation, protocols and office procedures emphasizing the importance of ethics for public confidence in municipal government; and will disseminate information regarding the Office of Integrity Commissioner to the public.

Source

Investigations

8 complaints were submitted in 2019 and early 2020:

• 1 did not contain allegations that merited a preliminary review
• 1 was withdraw by the complainant
• 3 were in review
• 3 reports were submitted to council

How to file a 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 may address his or her concerns through the formal complaint process set out below:

• all formal complaints must be made using the Formal Complaint Form and Affidavit and shall be dated and signed by the complainant;
• 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;
• any witnesses in support of the allegation must be identified on the Complaint Form/Affidavit;
• 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;
• the complaint shall be filed with the Integrity Commissioner who shall confirm that the information is complete;
• 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
• the Integrity Commissioner may, but shall not be obligated, to request additional information from the complainant.

Code of Conduct complaint

An elector as defined in section 1 of the MCIA, or a person demonstrably acting in the public interest, may submit an application to the Integrity Commissioner to conduct an inquiry concerning an alleged contravention of section 5, 5.1 or 5.2 of the MCIA by filing with the Integrity Commissioner a completed and signed prescribed application form and paying the prescribed fee of $150.00 to the City Clerk.

Municipal Conflict of Interest Act complaint

Any individual who identifies or witnesses behaviour or an activity by a Member that they believe is in contravention of this Code of Conduct may file a formal complaint to the Integrity Commissioner for the Municipality by submitting in writing the prescribed complaint form and submitting to the City Clerk the prescribed fee of $150.00.

Application for Municipal Integrity Commissioner Investigation under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Send a completed Complaint Inquiry Form to the Municipal Clerk:

Integrity Commissioner
c/o Doug Irwin, City Clerk
City of Belleville
169 Front Street
Belleville, ON K8N 2Y8
Email: [email protected]