Integrity Commissioner

The Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial position reporting directly to Council.

The Integrity Commissioner carries out the following core functions:

Advisory Role

The Integrity Commissioner provides confidential written and oral advice to the Reeve, Councillors and Local Board (Restricted Definition) appointees about their own situations respecting the Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards, and other by-laws, policies and procedures governing ethical behavior, including general advice about the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

The Integrity Commissioner also provides opinions and reports to Council and Local Boards (Restricted Definition), on issues of ethics and integrity. 

Investigative Role

Complaints about breaches of the Code of Conduct are made to the Integrity Commissioner pursuant to the Council approved Complaint Protocol. Complaints can be dealt with through a formal or informal process. When carrying out a formal complaint investigation, the Commissioner can summon evidence and examine witnesses under oath.

Should the Integrity Commissioner find a contravention, he can recommend various penalties for imposition by Council. The available penalties range from suspension of remuneration to a reprimand or apology.

Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards Request for Inquiry Form

The Conflict of Interest Act endorses the following principles in relation to the duties of members of councils and of local boards under this Act:

1. The importance of integrity, independence and accountability in local government decision-making.
2. The importance of certainty in reconciling the public duties and pecuniary interests of members.
3. Members are expected to perform their duties of office with integrity and impartiality in a manner that will bear the closest scrutiny.
4. There is a benefit to municipalities and local boards when members have a broad range of knowledge and continue to be active in their own communities, whether in business, in the practice of a profession, in community associations, and otherwise.

Where a Member of Council or Local Board declares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, or a conflict of interest in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Council and Local Boards, the Municipality is required to maintain a registry.

The original declaration filed can be viewed at the Municipal Office during regular office hours.

Section 239.2 (1) of the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended, authorizes the municipality to appoint an investigator who has the function to investigate in an independent manner, on a complaint made to him or her by any person, whether the municipality or a local board has complied with Section 239 or a procedure by-law under Subsection 238 (2) in respect of a meeting or part of a meeting that was closed to the public, and to report on the investigation.

The Closed Meeting Investigator for the Township of Lanark Highlands is the Ontario Ombudsman. In order to keep the identity of the complainant confidential, the office of the Ombudsman takes complaints regarding closed meetings from the public directly.  To make a complaint about closed meetings, visit the Ontario Ombudsman's website and fill out a form or call 1-800-263-1830

Mayoral powers under the Municipal Act (as applicable to the Reeve)

Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, the Reeve has the following special powers and duties as the head of City Council:

• Appointing the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer.*
• Hiring certain municipal department heads and establishing and reorganizing departments.*
• Creating committees of Council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of Council.*
• Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to Council amendments and a Mayoral veto and Council override process.
• Vetoing certain bylaws if the Reeve is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority.
• Bringing forward matters for Council consideration if the Reeve is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.

*The Reeve may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.

The Reeve is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A public listing of Mayoral Decisions and Directions is available in the chart below.