Code of Conduct

Home/Municipal Services/Mayor and Council/Code of Conduct

The Municipality of Brighton adopted a Council Code of Conduct in October 2019 that applies to all Council members and works in conjunction with the Communications Policy to promote accountability and transparency in municipal governance.

What is the purpose of a Code of Conduct Policy?

Local Government is an open, accessible and accountable form of government. The relationship of public trust and mutual respect that has evolved between government and the public, requires high standards of ethical conduct by Municipal Council Members. The purpose of a Code of Conduct Policy is to:

Protect the public interest;
Encourage high ethical standards among Municipal Council Members;
Provide a universal understanding of the fundamental rights, privileges and obligations of Municipal Council Members;
Provide a means for Municipal Council Members to obtain authorization for some contemplated conduct in circumstances where they are uncertain as to the ethical appropriateness of that conduct; and
Sets out the means for correcting unethical conduct.

Municipal Council Members hold positions of privilege. Therefore, they must discharge their duties in a manner that recognizes a fundamental commitment to the well-being of the community and regard for the integrity of the Corporation. The Policy is important in that it:

Ensures equitable treatment of citizens;
Ensures equitable treatment of employees;
Communicates corporate priorities to employees;
Ensures compliance with statutory requirements;
Minimizes liability risks;
Ensures accountability at all levels;
Ensures optimal use of available resources;
Implements the organization's strategic vision; and
Minimizes local board/committee interference in operational matters.

What are the Responsibilities of Council Members?

Integrity

Ultimately, ethical behaviour relies on the diligence of the individual.

Impartiality

Every Council Member must perform his/her duties in an impartial manner.

Conflict of Interest

Every Council Member shall have regard to the provisions contained in the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O.1990.

Financial Transactions

Every Council Member must adhere to Municipal by-laws and policies regarding any municipal financial transaction.

Confidentiality

Every Council Member must hold in strict confidence all information of a confidential nature acquired in the course of his or her term with the Municipality.

Political Activity

Members of Council are to be allowed as great a measure of political rights as can be reconciled with the need to ensure the fact and appearance of impartiality, in the performance of their duties with the Municipality as Members of Council. The point at which any appropriate balance can be struck in any particular case depends primarily on the nature and level of the Council Member's responsibilities.

Public Comment

Every member of Council shall display the reserve inherent in his/her position with the Municipality when publicly expressing his/her personal opinions on matters of political controversy or on existing or proposed municipal policy or administration. This policy is not intended to restrict the legitimate public comment of spokespersons of Council, nor the public comment of Council Members on matters of essentially a personal interest related to his/her position as a Council Member with the Municipality of Brighton.

Integrity Commissioner

Municipality of Brighton Council has appointed Principles Integrity to act as its Integrity Commissioner providing accountability services to the Municipality. The services of the Integrity Commissioner include:

To provide advice on the application of the Code of Conduct, Municipality policies, procedures and rules, the complaint protocol and section 5 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
To conduct inquiries regarding whether a member has contravened the Code of Conduct or section 5 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, Municipality 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

Complaints are to be submitted directly to the Integrity Commissioner:

Principles Integrity
Jeffrey A. Abrams and Janice Atwood-Petkovski
Email: postoffice@principlesintegrity.org
Tel: 647-259-8697

For additional information please contact the Integrity Commissioner's office at the contact information provided above.

Submitting a Complaint

Complaint Form - Integrity Commissioner

There are two protocols for submitting a complaint: Informal or Formal

Informal Complaint Protocol

Any person or a representative of an organization who has identified or witnessed behaviour or an activity by a member of Council that they believe is in contravention of the Code of Conduct (the “Code”) or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act may wish to address the prohibited behaviour or activity themselves as follows:

Advise the member that the behaviour or activity contravenes the Code;
Encourage the member to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity;
Keep a written record of the incidents including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information;
If applicable, confirm to the member your satisfaction with the response of the member; or, if applicable, advise the member of your dissatisfaction with the response; and
Consider the need to pursue the matter through a formal complaint.

All persons and organizations are encouraged to initially pursue this informal complaint procedure as a means of stopping and remedying a behavior or activity that is prohibited by the Code. However, it is not a precondition or a prerequisite that those complaining must pursue the informal complaint procedure before pursuing a formal complaint.

Formal Complaint Protocol

Any individual who has identified or witnessed behaviour or activity by a Member that appears to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act may address his or her concerns through the formal complaint process set out below, if resolution was not found through the informal complaint process.

All formal complaints should contain the following information:

Name of municipality

Complainant's name, mailing address, telephone number and email address
Nature and background of the particular occurrence including a concise explanation as to why the issue raised may be a contravention of the Code of Conduct or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and any and all evidence in support of the allegation
Any activities undertaken (if any) to resolve the concern
Any other information
Original signature

Formal complaints are to be submitted directly to the Integrity Commissioner:

Principles Integrity
Jeffrey A. Abrams and Janice Atwood-Petkovski
Email: postoffice@principlesintegrity.orgemail

For additional information please contact the Integrity Commissioner's office at the contact information provided above.

What penalties or disciplinary actions are available to the Integrity Commissioner?

If the Integrity Commissioner undertakes an investigation following a public complaint and the findings confirm a breach of the Code of Conduct, appropriate penalties, as defined in the legislation, will be recommended to Council, and will become a matter of public record.

Penalties permitted under the Municipal Act, 2001 include a reprimand or the suspension of the Council Member's salary for a period of up to 90 days