Ontario municipalities and members of Council operate under a legislated accountability and transparency framework that include rules for the municipality and rules for members of Council and local boards. Local accountability and transparency frameworks consist of a mix of requirements and options, including the appointment of an Ombudsman, Integrity Commissioner and a Closed Meeting Investigator.

Ombudsman service and closed meeting investigations

Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended (the Act) states that any individual may request that an investigation be undertaken to determine whether a municipality or local board has complied with the provisions of the Act or its Procedure By-law. The Act also enables any person to request an investigation to ensure the closed meetings rules contained in section 239 were complied with. 

The Town of East Gwillimbury uses the Ontario Ombudsman to provide Ombudsman Services. 

Any individual requesting an investigation of a Closed Meeting must submit their complaint to the provincial ombudsman. Complaints can be submitted in various ways, including online and telephone.

To submit a complaint,

  • Complete the online complaint form and submit the form by email
  • Call 1-800-263-1830 and leave a brief voicemail. The Ontario Ombudsman will try their best to return your call within two business days, during working hours.

For more information, please read the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O.2001

Integrity Commissioner

An Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial position that reports directly to Municipal Council and whose powers and duties are set out in the Municipal Act, 2001. Currently, section 223.4 of the Municipal Act, 2001 provides that an Integrity Commissioner may conduct an inquiry into allegations about whether a Member of Council or local board has contravened the Code of Conduct. An individual who identifies behaviour by a Member of Council or a local board, that they believe is in contravention of the Code of Conduct, or sections 5, 5.1 or 5.2 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, may file a formal complaint with the required information on the prescribed form and submit to the Integrity Commissioner.

The Integrity Commissioner has broad powers to conduct an inquiry and to obtain access to relevant information and documents from the municipality. Following an inquiry, Council may act upon the Integrity Commissioner’s findings including imposing reprimands and suspending members of Council.

Council and Committee Code of Conduct

 

Written complaints may be directed to the Town's Integrity Commissioner electronically or may be submitted to the Office of the Clerk:

Suzanne Craig, Integrity Commissioner
Email