Starting March 2019, the Province of Ontario has required that municipalities adopt a Code of conduct for members of their municipal council and local boards.
The Municipal Council adopted its first version of the Code of conduct in February 2019 and updated it slightly in May 2019.
The Code of conduct applies to members of the Municipal Council and to the following local board members:
- • BIA (Downtown Business Improvement Area Commission)
- • Committee of Adjustment
To consult the Code of conduct
Integrity Commissioner
By adopting this Code, an Integrity Commissioner was appointed in January 2021 by the Council. His term ends on December 31, 2022.
His role
The Integrity Commissioner is a person independent of the Council and the Town Administration. He acts as:
Advice
He provides confidential advice to the mayor, councillors and local board members on their obligations under the Code of conduct and any other regulations, policies and procedures governing their ethical behavior. He also provides notices under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Investigator
He is responsible for investigating complaints he receives about potential breaches of the Code of conduct or ethical failings of members of the Municipal Council or a local board.
Educator
He provides educational information to Members of Council, local boards, the Town and the general public.
Who is he?
Mr. Jean-Jacques LaCombe is a retired lawyer who was in private practice for thirty (30) years. He was also a private and court-appointed mediator and a local counsel for the Office of the Attorney General of Ontario for more than 25 years.
Integrity Commissioner Report – September 4, 2020
Report_-_Integrity_Commissioner_-_Complaint_of_September_4_2020_anglais_seulement_.pdf
Addendum_-_September_26_2021_anglais_seulement.pdf
Integrity Commissioner Report – April 26, 2021 (French only)
Rapport_denquete__26_avril_2021.pdf
Integrity Commissioner Report – December 31, 2020
Ombudsman Report -
Investigation regarding the Town of Hawkesbury’s decision-making process on June 15, 202072.57 KB
File a complaint
A person who has reasons to believe that there is a contravention of the Code of conduct or an ethical breach by an elected member or a member of a local board may file a complaint.
A complaint must be submitted on the established Formal Complaint Form. The Form may be printed from the website or obtained from the Administration Office
Download the form to file a complaint
A complaint must be placed in a sealed envelope marked "private and confidential" and must contain the following information:
- Complainant's name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address;
- Original copy of the Formal Complaint Form;
- Original copy of the Additional Information Form (if applicable);
- Any relevant documentation; and
- Cheque for $100 made payable to "The Corporation of the Town of Hawkesbury".
The complaint must be submitted by one of the following two options:
a) by mail to:
Corporation of the Town of Hawkesbury, City Hall
Attention: Mr. Jean-Jacques LaCombe, Integrity Commissioner
600 Higginson Street
Hawkesbury, ON K6A 1H1
b) in person to:
Since the Administration Building remains closed to the public for health and safety reasons related to COVID-19, please make an appointment with Myriam Longtin, the Clerk, at 613-632-0106, ext. 2282, or
Corporation of the Town of Hawkesbury, City Hall
Attention: Mr. Jean-Jacques LaCombe, Integrity Commissioner
600 Higginson Street
Hawkesbury, ON K6A 1H1
Important: In order to preserve confidentiality of the complainant, please ask the receptionist to speak with the Clerk, without mentioning that you want to file a complaint. The complaint filed with the Clerk will be forwarded to the Integrity Commissioner without delay and without added comments.
Result of a complaint
To the extent possible, the Integrity Commissioner will submit his report within 60 days of receiving a complaint to the Council or local board, as the case may be. In the case of a contravention of the Code of conduct or a breach of ethics, he will submit his recommendations as to the penalties to be imposed to the Member in default.