Code of Conduct
In June of 2017, the Council of the Municipality of Grey Highlands passed By-law 2016-61 and amended by 2019-004 which approved a Code of Conduct for Council, Committees and Volunteers.
The public expects the highest standard of conduct from the Members of elected to local government. These leaders are expected to carry out their duties in a fair, impartial, transparent and professional manner.
The Code of Conduct helps to ensure a common basis of acceptable behaviour. These standards ensure elected representatives conduct themselves with integrity and respect. The Code of Conduct applies to Members of Council. It may be extended to Members of Local Boards.
Council Staff Relations Policy
The Municipality of Grey Highlands is committed to a respectful and productive relationship between and amongst Council, Members of Council, and the officers and employees of the municipality, in furtherance of their respective roles established by statute, municipal by-laws and policies, corporate administrative direction, and operating conventions. As such, Council approved Policy A09-A-11 - Council Staff Relations Policy on June 2, 2021 which applies to all elected officials and staff of the Municipality.
Integrity Commissioner
What is an Integrity Commissioner?
The Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial position that reports directly to Council and whose powers and duties are set out in the Municipal Act, 2001.
Responsibilities of 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, the Civic Administration and the public.
- Provides for third party oversight to Council on specific items in order to maintain procedural fairness and impartiality.
- Provide reports to Council, summarizing the activities.
- Provide individual investigative reports, as required, which will include background concerning a complaint and recommendations to Municipal Council with respect to a complaints.
Grey Highlands Integrity Commissioner:
Principles Integrity
30 Haddon Street, Toronto, ON M5M 3M9
Tel No.: 647-259-8697
Email: postoffice@principlesintegrity.org
Closed Meeting Investigations
In Ontario, municipalities are required to appoint an investigator specifically to look at complaints about closed meetings; this could be the Ombudsman or another investigator. The Municipality of Grey Highlands appointed the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman as the closed meeting investigator.
Information on Closed Meetings:
Reference guide to the open meeting rules: Open Meetings: Guide for Municipalities
Browse digital case digest: Open Meetings: Case Digest
File a complaint:
If you feel that the Municipality of Grey Highlands has violated the open meeting provisions of the Ontario Municipal Act, you may file a complaint with the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman directly. Complaint Form: General - Ontario Ombudsman
Closed Meeting Investigation Reports for Grey Highlands:
| Investigation into a complaint about a meeting held by the Municipality of Grey Highlands on October 7, 2020 - Report dated May 2021 |
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The Ombudsman received a complaint alleging that council for the Municipality of Grey Highlands held a closed session on October 7, 2020, that did not fit within the closed meeting exceptions in the Municipal Act, 2001. Council discussed plans to proceed with negotiations to enter into a joint venture with a third party and provided staff with directions on a series of matters related to the negotiations.
The Ombudsman found that the discussion was permissible under the Act’s closed meeting exception for plans and instructions for negotiations.
Read the full report here: Municipality of Grey Highlands - Ontario Ombudsman |
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