The Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial council appointee who investigates complaints and alleged breaches of Council's Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and who advises and educates Council members on its provisions.
Integrity Commissioner Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP is the Integrity Commissioner for the County of Essex, as appointed by Council on September 7, 2023.
Code of Conduct
The Integrity Commissioner investigates alleged breaches of the Essex County Council Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Conflict of Interest Registry
Declaration of a Conflict of Interest Form for Members of Essex County Council, Committees and Boards
The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires that every municipality establish and maintain a registry of all declarations made by members at a Council, Committee or Board meeting.
All members must submit their disclosures of pecuniary interest in writing to the Clerk or immediately following the meeting during which they verbally disclose an interest.
The following is a registry of written disclosures of pecuniary interest as of March 1, 2019.
Click on the link called Conflicts Registry at the top of the page.
Filing Complaints
You can file a complaint if you have reasonable grounds to believe a member of Essex County Council or a member of a Committee or Board has breached a provision of the Essex County Council Code of Conduct or the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Formal complaints must be made in writing. Complaints are to be sent directly to the Integrity Commissioner.
Aird & Berlis LLP c/o Laura Dean
Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 1800, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2T9
Telephone: 416-865-7706
Fax: 416-863-1515
Email: ldean@airdberlis.com
Role of Integrity Commissioners
Section 223.3 of the revised Municipal Act enables municipalities to appoint an Integrity Commissioner to oversee Code of Conduct the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act as it relates to elected officials and members of local boards.
An integrity Commissioner has the power to investigate alleged contraventions of the Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and has the right of free access to all records of a municipality, or a local board in pursuit of that investigation.
An Integrity Commissioner can recommend a reprimand or suspension of pay for up to 90 days if there is a finding of a contravention of the Code of Conduct but Council must vote on whether to accept that recommendation. An Integrity Commissioner can also consider alleged contraventions of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, in which case, the Integrity Commissioner makes a decision whether to apply to a judge for the imposition of a penalty. Council does not vote on this matter.
Integrity Commissioner's Main Functions
Advisory: Provide specific written to members of Council and local boards relating to the application of the Code of Conduct and other by-laws or policies governing ethical behaviour and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and provide Council with general opinions and advice as ethical issues arise.
Investigative: Assess and investigate Code of Conduct complaints and the application of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, made by an individual or by Council.
Adjudicative: Determine whether an infraction has occurred and recommend sanctions.
Education: Publish an annual report on findings of typical advice and complaint cases. Provide outreach programs to council and members of staff. Promote public awareness of the office.
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