Stouffville to adopt code of conduct, hire integrity commissioner
Town staff is also seeking Vaughan's integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 18, 2017
By Ali Raza

Whitchurch-Stouffville is looking to Vaughan to adopt a code of conduct and seek an integrity commissioner.

Town council decided at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17 that staff would seek Vaughan’s integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig and adopt the city’s code of conduct.

The integrity commissioner is responsible for applying the code of conduct to members of council and local boards.

Coun. Ken Ferdinands praised Vaughan’s code of conduct calling it a “solid document” that “stood the test of time”.

Vaughan has had its code of conduct since 1996. It was recently revised in 2012.

It lays out rules and regulations for town staff (including the mayor and council) to follow regarding confidentiality, conflict of interest, accountability and respect. Codes of conduct are maintained by the municipality’s human resources department.

Upon request by a member of the public, member of council or council as a whole, the integrity commissioner can open an inquiry to determine whether the code of conduct has been contravened.

Town clerk Michelle Kennedy told council it’s common for municipalities to adopt practices from other municipalities.

Once the code of conduct is publicly reviewed, council will officially adopt it and direct staff to secure the integrity commissioner.