Code of Conduct & Integrity Commissioner
As part of the County of Prince Edward’s continued commitment to enhancing openness and accountability, County Council has adopted a Council Code of Conduct.
The Council Code of Conduct is established to provide standards for conduct of Members of Council, Committees, and Boards in the capacity of their official duties. These standards are intended to enhance public confidence and support the County’s reputation and integrity.
Integrity Commissioner
The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward (County) provides for the office of an Integrity Commissioner in accordance with Section 223.3 of the Municipal Act, 2001 to assist the County in continuing to provide good governance in an accountable and transparent manner.
The Integrity Commissioner receives complaints about violations of the Council Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (MCIA). The County has appointed Aird & Berlis LLP as the County’s Integrity Commissioner on an interim basis.
In addition to receiving and potentially investigating complaints under the Code of Conduct and the MCIA, the Integrity Commissioner also provides advice, education and information to members of Council and local boards regarding their obligations under the Code of Conduct and the MCIA.
If you believe a member of Council or a local board has contravened the Code of Conduct or the MCIA, contact the Integrity Commissioner, who may choose to investigate the matter.
Meghan Cowan
Aird & Berlis LLP
Suite 1800, 181 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5J 2T9
Telephone:416.865.4722
Email: mcowan@airdberlis.com
Complaint Protocol
If you believe that the behaviour of a member of Council contravenes the Code of Conduct, you can submit an informal or formal complaint.
Any individual may seek to address the prohibited behaviour or activity themselves in the following manner:
- Document the incident(s) where the member may have contravened the Code of Conduct including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information
- Advise the Clerk's Office about the concerns regarding the member’s actions
- Advise the member that the behaviour or activity appears to contravene the Code of Conduct
- Identify to the member the specific provision(s) of the Code of Conduct that may have been contravened
- Encourage the member to acknowledge and agree to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity and to undertake to refrain from future occurrences of the prohibited behaviour or activity
- If applicable:
- Confirm to the member that their response is satisfactory; or,
- Advise the member that their response is unsatisfactory
- Consider the need to pursue the matter in accordance with the Formal Complaint Procedure, in accordance with section 15 of the Code of Conduct
Please note: The Informal Complaint Protocol is not a precondition or a prerequisite to pursuing the Formal Complaint Procedure
If you would like to submit a formal complaint, please review Section 15 of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.
- A complaint shall be made in writing and shall be sent directly to the Integrity Commissioner by mail, email, fax or courier
- A complaint must be signed and dated by the complainant who shall be an identifiable individual (complaints may not be submitted by any group, organization or corporation)
- A complaint shall include:
- An explanation, with specific reference to sections of the Code, as to why the issue raised is alleged to be a contravention of the Code;
- Any evidence in support of the allegation; and
- Any witnesses in support of the allegation must be identified.
- The alleged violation shall have taken place within sixty (60) days of filing the complaint with the Integrity Commissioner.
