Integrity commissioner a $24K 'investment in accountability' for Georgina

Amendment to Municipal Act requires all Ontario municipalities to have code of conduct in place by March 1

Yorkregion.com
September 4, 2018
Heidi Riedner

The Town of Georgina will shell out $24,000 between 2018 and 2019 for an integrity commissioner despite the fact there have been no complaints filed in the past two years against elected officials, town committees or boards.

ADR Chambers -- which already provides the service to the Region of York, City of Markham and Town of Newmarket -- was chosen after a competitive bid process undertaken earlier this year in response to amendments to the Municipal Act requiring all Ontario municipalities to have an integrity commissioner and code of conduct in place by March 1, 2019.

Mayor Margaret Quirk said the money would be an investment in continued transparency, accountability and support of the highest standard of behaviour and conduct for local leaders.

“When and if a significant concern arises, there is certainly value in involving an impartial third party for fair resolution,” she added.

The $24,000 covers a number of education, communication, advice and complaint services under the appointment of Deborah Anschell as integrity commissioner and Michael Maynard as investigator for Georgina for the two-year term.

That includes determining whether a council, member of council or its boards and committees have contravened either the municipal conflict of interest act or the town’s code of conduct, protocols or policies and any potential sanctions as a result.

Reports stemming from an investigation will be made available to the general public through the town’s website.

Both the staff report on the matter tabled at council in June and Quirk noted, however, the “true costs” of the contract will depend upon circumstances beyond the municipality’s control, such as the number and complexity of future complaints.