Integrity Commissioner

On this page:

• About the Integrity Commissioner role
• Contact information
• Council code of conduct
• During an election year
• Reports and bulletins

The Integrity Commissioner acts as an independent advisor to Council on a range of issues. The position is responsible for providing education and advice to Members of Council, and presiding over investigations of complaints.

On April 26, 2021 Town Council passed By-law 2021-22 appointing Suzanne Craig as Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Huntsville for a 4 year term.

The Integrity Commissioner's functions include:

• Upon their request, advising Members of Council, Council as a whole, and local boards on their obligations and responsibilities under the Code of Conduct, and any other legislation, rule or policy governing their ethical behaviour;
• Receiving, assessing and, where appropriate, investigating complaints made by Council, a Member of Council, a member of local board, a staff member or a member of the public, on an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct;
• Determining whether and how investigations will be conducted; and
• Reporting back to Council on whether an investigation's findings confirm a breach of the Code of Conduct.

View the Code of Conduct on our by-laws page.

Contact Suzanne Craig:

• Email: suzannecraigintegrity@gmail.com
• Telephone: 705-789-1751 ext. 7701

All inquires made to the Integrity Commissioner will be noted and reviewed in some fashion. The decision to pursue an investigation into a possible breach of the Code of Conduct or other Town policy can only be made by the Integrity Commissioner based on the circumstances at the time of the complaint.

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.

Note: The Municipal Act, 2001, specifies that the role of the Integrity Commissioner pertains to Members of Council only.

This policy applies to all Elected Officials on Huntsville's Town Council. This policy ensures that local government is open, accessible, and accountable. 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." Sec. 3 - Policy Statement.

The Integrity Commissioner receives Code complaints that allege that a Member of Council or Local Board (the "Code") has contravened the Council Member Code of Conduct. In an election year, in accordance with sections 99 and 100 of the Code, if any inquiry commenced by the Integrity Commissioner has not been completed by Nomination Day for a regular election, the Integrity Commissioner shall terminate the inquiry on that day. If any such inquiry has been terminated, the Integrity Commissioner shall not commence another inquiry in respect of the matter unless, within six weeks after voting day in a regular election, the person or entity who made the request or the member or former member whose conduct is concerned, makes a written request to the Integrity Commissioner that the inquiry be commenced.

Between nomination day and voting day in a regular election, there shall be no requests for an inquiry, no reports from the Integrity Commissioner on Code contraventions and no meetings of Council or a local board to consider imposing any penalties on a member of Council or a local board.

Members of Council and Local Boards can continue to seek advice from the Integrity Commissioner in an election year. Members of Council continue in their role as elected officials until election day in a municipal election year and therefore, may consult with the Integrity Commissioner in respect of their obligations under the Code. Members of Council may not request advice from the Integrity Commissioner in respect of their activities and actions as a candidate in the municipal election.