Accountability and Transparency

The Town of Arnprior's Council is committed to accountability and transparency. All members of Council follow a Code of Conduct and publicly disclose all pecuniary interests. Review our Council meeting agendas and minutes to inform on all Council decisions.

Municipal Act Policies

Section 270 of the Municipal Act, 2001 provides that municipalities must develop and maintain various policies about the accountability and transparency of municipal government and its operations. The following policies have been adopted by Council to ensure compliance:

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards provides a framework for the conduct of members and addresses such matters as meeting conduct, confidential information, use of corporate resources during an election campaign, regard for the Human Rights Code, and their relationships with staff.

Integrity Commissioner

The Integrity Commissioner, William Hunter is an independent and impartial position that reports directly to Council and whose powers and duties are set out in the Municipal Act, 2001.

Complaint Processes

There are two venues through which individuals may submit complaints under the Council Code of Conduct: (1) Informal Complaints, and (2) Formal Complaints.

Informal Complaints
- Any individual who identifies or witnesses behaviour or activity by a Member that they believe contravenes the Code of Conduct may seek to address the prohibited behaviour or activity themselves in the following manner by following the Informal Complaint Procedure:
  - Document the incident(s) where the Member may have contravened the Code of Conduct including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information;
  - Advise another person about the concerns regarding the Member’s actions, to corroborate the incident;
  - Advise the Member that the behaviour or activity appears to contravene the Code of Conduct;
  - Identify to the Member the specific provision(s) of the Code of Conduct that may have been contravened;
  - Encourage the Member to acknowledge and agree to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity and to undertake to refrain from future occurrences of the prohibited behaviour or activity;
  - Request the Integrity Commissioner to assist in informal discussion of the alleged complaint with the Member in an attempt to settle or resolve the issue;
  - If applicable:
    - Confirm to the Member that his or her response is satisfactory, or
    - Advise the Member that his or her response is unsatisfactory;
    - Consider the need to pursue the matter in accordance with the Formal Complaint Procedure.
Formal Complaints

A request for an investigation of a complaint that a member has contravened this Code of Conduct or policy shall be in writing using the Formal Complaints Form.

All complaints must be signed by an identifiable individual.
A complaint shall set out reasonable and probable grounds for the allegation that the member has contravened this Code of Conduct and include a supporting affidavit that sets out the evidence in support of the complaint.
The request shall be filed with the Town Clerk who shall forward the matter to the Integrity Commissioner for initial classification. The Integrity Commissioner shall determine if the matter is, on its face, a complaint with respect to non-compliance with this Code of Conduct and/or not covered by other legislation or policy.
If the complaint is determined not to be a complaint with respect to non-compliance with this Code of Conduct or other policies, the complainant shall be advised that the matter is not within the jurisdiction of the Integrity Commissioner to process with any additional reasons and referrals, as the Integrity Commissioner considers appropriate.
If the Integrity Commissioner is of the opinion that the referral of a matter to him or her is frivolous, vexatious, or not made in good faith, or that there are no grounds or insufficient grounds for an investigation, the Integrity Commissioner shall not conduct an investigation, or where that becomes apparent in the course of an investigation, terminate the investigation.
The Integrity Commissioner shall not issue a report finding a violation of this Code of Conduct on the part of any Member unless the Member has had reasonable notice of the basis for the proposed finding and any recommended sanction and an opportunity either in person or in writing to comment on the proposed finding and any recommended sanction, provided that comment period after having been notified does not exceed 30 calendar days.
The Integrity Commissioner shall report to the complainant and the Member generally no later than 90 days after the making of the complaint.
Where the complaint is sustained in whole or in part, the Integrity Commissioner shall also report to Council outlining the findings, or recommended corrective action in open Council.
Where the complaint is dismissed, the Integrity Commissioner shall not report to Council, except as part of an annual or other periodic report.
A complaint will be processed in compliance with the confidentiality requirements of Section 223.5(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended.
If the Integrity Commissioner reports to Council his or her opinion about whether a Member has contravened this Code of Conduct, the Integrity Commissioner may disclose in the report such matters as, in the Integrity Commissioner’s opinion, are necessary for the purposes of the report.

Closed Meetings

Municipalities may only have closed meetings in accordance with section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Upon receipt of a complaint, the closed meeting investigator will determine compliance with the Municipal Act, or the Town's procedure by-law.

Registry of Pecuniary Interest Declarations

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires Members of Council to declare any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in relation to a matter under consideration and to file a written statement of the interest and its general nature as soon as possible.