Does the Integrity Commissioner have authority over all violations of the Code of Conduct?
City Council has adopted a Complaint Protocols for both Members of Council and Members of Local Boards (Restricted Definition) setting out the scope of the Integrity Commissioner’s authority over matters coming within the relevant Code of Conduct. Those Protocols make it clear that there are some violations that should be dealt with through existing mechanisms rather than by the Integrity Commissioner. For example, if you are alleging that a City Councillor had an undeclared conflict of interest in a matter dealt with by Council, there is a special complaint procedure under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Similarly, if the allegations involve violations of Canada’s Criminal Code, it is the police, not the Integrity Commissioner who investigate. If you are not sure whether the matter about which you are concerned is within the Integrity Commissioner’s authority, contact her or the City Clerk’s office.
