The County of Frontenac is committed to openness, accountability and transparency to the public. The province of Ontario requires that a Code of Conduct must be established for council and that an Integrity Commissioner shall be appointed by the County to perform, in an independent manner, the functions assigned by the County with respect to the application of the Code of Conduct. In March 2019 County Council approved a Code of Conduct, Complaint Protocol and Accountability Framework Bylaw.
The Integrity Commissioner will provide accountability services to the County including:
- To provide advice on the application of the Code of Conduct, County policies, procedures and rules, the complaint protocol and sections 5, 5(1) or 5(2) of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
- To conduct inquiries, as directed by council or on the integrity commissioner's own initiative, regarding whether a member has contravened the Code of Conduct or sections 5, 5(1) or 5(2) of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
- To provide advice to a member, upon written request, respecting the member's obligations under the Code of Conduct, County policies, procedures and rules, the complaint protocol and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
- To provide opinions on policy matters and make other reports to council as requested on issues of ethics and integrity;
- To provide educational information and training to council, to members and to the public on matters related to the Code of Conduct and issues of ethics and integrity and to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
- To provide general information to members of the public, on request, about the Code of Conduct, the complaint protocol and the availability of complaint resolution services or referrals as contemplated by the complaint protocol;
- To maintain custody and control of the integrity commissioner's complaint and inquiry files and, on completion of his or her term of appointment, to transfer open files relating to ongoing matters to the incoming Integrity Commissioner appointed by council; and
- To provide such other services respecting ethical and integrity matters as assigned by council or as may be required by the Municipal Act, 2001.
The Council and Committee Code of Conduct was approved by County Council February 20, 2019.
Click here to read the Council and Committee Code of Conduct.