Integrity Commissioner

Code of Conduct Purpose and Intent

On January 16, 2019, Council adopted a revised Council and Committee Code of Conduct.

The Council and Committee Code of Conduct is to establish standards of conduct for Members of Council, Local Boards and Committee Members in the individual conduct of their official duties. These standards will help protect and maintain the Township of Southgate's reputation and integrity.

Maintaining a high quality of public administration and governance can be achieved in part by encouraging high standards of conduct on the part of Township officials. The public is entitled to expect the highest standards of conduct from members that are elected or appointed to serve their local government.

A written Code of Conduct helps to ensure that the members of Council share a common basis of acceptable conduct. These standards are designed to supplement the legislative parameters within which the members must operate. They are intended to enhance public confidence that the Township of Southgate's elected and appointed officials operate from a basis of integrity, justice and courtesy. Southgate's Code of Conduct regulates a wide range of conduct by elected and appointed officials.

Principles Integrity has been appointed as the Integrity Commissioner for the Township of Southgate.

Role of the Integrity Commissioner

An integrity commissioner is independent and impartial, and reports directly to Council. In addition to specific powers and duties that Council may choose to assign, the core functions of an integrity commissioner are set out in the Municipal Act, 2001.

Responsibilities of an Integrity Commissioner

Providing advice to Council on the Code of Conduct for Members of Council and on Codes of Conduct applicable to members of the Townships committees and local boards
Providing advice to Council on the development of procedures, rules and policies of the municipality governing the ethical behaviour of members of Council and of local boards
Acting as a proactive educator for Council and local boards, the Civic Administration and the public
Serving as an advisor to individual members of Council and local boards in relation to the applicable Code of Conduct and any procedures, rules and policies of the municipality governing their ethical behaviour, including the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
Receiving and reviewing complaints about breaches of ethical behaviour including conflict of interest matters, and seeking an appropriate resolution in each case
Where it is in the public interest to do so, conducting formal investigations and making findings and recommendations to Council or the applicable local board
Providing periodic reports to Council, summarizing their activities and summarizing important developments in the field

Township of Southgate Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Committees and Local Boards Policy

Township of Southgate Integrity Commissioners

Janice Atwood-Petkovski and Jeffrey Abrams:

The principals of Principles Integrity are experienced lawyers with over 30 years each in a variety of Ontario Municipalities. Mr. Abrams was called to the Bar in 1985, Ms. Atwood-Petkovski was called to the Bar in 1987, and each have practiced as municipal lawyers and governance experts. In 2017, Mr. Abrams and Ms Atwood-Petkovski formed Principles Integrity, a partnership focused on accountability and governance matters for municipalities. The firm has been appointed Integrity Commissioner in over twenty Ontario municipalities.