Robert J. Swayze

The Integrity Commissioner investigated nine complaints against a municipal councillor.

Complaints regarding the councillor's operation of a for-profit Facebook group and his support for a controversial casino development were dismissed.

However, the Commissioner found that the councillor contravened the Code of Conduct and the prior Code of Ethics by repeatedly engaging in personal attacks, abuse, and harassment against members of the public who disagreed with him.

The Commissioner recommended that the councillor be reprimanded by Council.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint against a municipal councillor alleging sexual harassment by a former employee.

The investigation revealed a prior similar complaint from another municipal employee.

The Commissioner found that the councillor's inappropriate comments to both women made them feel belittled and disrespected, constituting sexual harassment and violating the Council Code of Conduct.

The Commissioner recommended that the municipal council suspend the councillor's compensation for 30 days, with potential further 30-day suspensions (up to 90 days total) if the councillor failed to complete mandatory workplace harassment training under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

The Integrity Commissioner received a complaint alleging that a Regional Councillor contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by attempting to influence the vote of two members of Council on a matter in which she had a pecuniary conflict of interest.

The Commissioner found that he had no jurisdiction to consider whether the Act had been violated, as such complaints must be made to the Superior Court of Justice.

The Commissioner also noted that the Council Code of Conduct did not expressly make a breach of the Act a breach of the Code.

The complaint was dismissed.

The Integrity Commissioner for the City of Elliot Lake investigated complaints filed by the former Director of Corporate Services against three municipal councillors.

The complainant alleged that one councillor engaged in harassment and attempted to interfere with staff duties, and that all three councillors held closed meetings in retaliation to terminate his employment.

The Commissioner noted that two of the respondent councillors and the complainant had since resigned.

Concluding that it was not in the public interest to continue the investigation, the Commissioner dismissed the complaints to allow the municipal council to make a fresh start with a newly hired Chief Administrative Officer, while warning councillors against interfering in the staff chain of command.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint alleging that a municipal councillor breached the Council Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential, privileged legal advice from an in camera session during an open committee meeting.

The councillor admitted to the breach, explaining he felt compelled to counter perceived misinformation presented by opposing counsel.

The Commissioner found a clear contravention of the Code but recommended no sanctions, accepting the councillor's apology and commitment not to repeat the conduct, while issuing a strict warning against future disclosures.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated complaints from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Water and Wastewater Supervisor alleging that a municipal councillor contravened the Council Code of Conduct.

The Commissioner found that the councillor breached the Code by supporting a ratepayer in a legal action against the municipality, thereby creating a conflict of interest and undermining confidence in the municipality.

The Commissioner also found that the councillor abused staff in the workplace and falsely impugned their professional reputation.

As this was a second offence, the Commissioner recommended a 30-day suspension of the councillor's compensation.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint alleging that the respondent mayor contravened the Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential information during a radio interview.

The information pertained to the possible sale of the municipality's hydro utility, which had only been discussed in closed session.

The respondent admitted to the disclosure but stated he mistakenly believed the information would be made public at a subsequent meeting.

The Commissioner found that the respondent contravened the Code of Conduct but recommended no sanctions due to the honest mistake.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated six complaints against members of the Town of Essex Council.

Four complaints were directed at Councillor Randy Voakes, alleging disrespectful behaviour, use of profanity, and bullying towards staff, the Mayor, and a citizen.

The Commissioner found that Councillor Voakes violated the Code of Conduct by impugning a staff member's professional reputation and treating another staff member inappropriately.

The Commissioner recommended a one-month suspension of Councillor Voakes' remuneration.

The remaining complaints regarding interactions with the Mayor and a citizen were dismissed with a warning to the Councillor to control his temper and cease disruptive behaviour.

Two former senior managers filed complaints alleging the Mayor of Sarnia created a poisoned work environment and harassed staff.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found the Mayor repeatedly breached the Code of Conduct by publicly criticizing staff, interfering with the City Manager's duties, and failing to respect the professional capacities of City staff.

The Commissioner recommended suspending the Mayor's remuneration for 90 days.

The Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Newmarket investigated multiple Code of Conduct complaints against several municipal councillors.

The complaints alleged improper use of influence for charitable fundraising, inappropriate conference expenses, and conflicts of interest regarding budget discussions and a municipal computer purchase program.

The Commissioner dismissed all public complaints, finding that charitable fundraising is permissible and encouraged, conference expenses were appropriate, and conflicts of interest were properly declared.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a gift of four hockey tickets valued at $600 received by Councillor Pat Saito from a developer.

The Councillor disclosed the gift and stated she gave the tickets to her daughter.

The Commissioner found that accepting tickets from a developer without a legitimate business purpose violated the Council Code of Conduct.

The Commissioner recommended that $600 be suspended from the Councillor's salary.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint alleging that the Deputy Mayor should have declared a conflict of interest and refrained from voting on a matter involving a development corporation owned by his lifelong friend and campaign fundraising chair.

The Commissioner found that the Deputy Mayor's participation in the vote was inappropriate and risked the public perception of a quid pro quo, contrary to the spirit of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

However, concluding that it was an error in judgment and noting the Deputy Mayor's commitment not to vote on future matters involving the individual, the Commissioner recommended no sanctions.

The Integrity Commissioner for the City of Brampton reported on a forensic audit of expenses incurred by the Mayor and members of Council.

The Commissioner found that the Mayor violated the Council Code of Conduct by purchasing Latitude flight passes that were freely upgradeable to business class, contrary to City policy.

The Commissioner also found that several Councillors contravened the Code by expensing tickets for family members and other personal expenditures, and recommended reimbursement.

The Commissioner further recommended that the new Council review and update the Code of Conduct and related policies to establish clear, specific rules.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated complaints that a city councillor violated the Council Code of Conduct by using public funds and resources for her mayoral election campaign.

The complaints alleged that the councillor's publicly funded ward website contained links to her campaign website, that she improperly used constituent email lists for campaign fundraising, and that she used public funds to brand her campaign website address.

The Commissioner found that while the website links violated the Code, they were removed promptly and were likely inadvertent.

The Commissioner also found no breach of privacy rules regarding the email lists and no intentional misuse of public funds for branding.

The Commissioner recommended that the report be received by Council without sanctions.

The complainant alleged that three members of the municipal council contravened the Code of Conduct by unilaterally disbanding the Area Rating Review Committee before it had finished its work.

The Integrity Commissioner found no corroborating evidence of unilateral action, noting that the members were delivering a message from Council that the committee had completed its work since no recommendation was possible.

The complaint was dismissed.

The Interim Integrity Commissioner investigated two complaints against a municipal councillor alleging violations of the Code of Conduct.

The first complaint alleged the councillor berated and embarrassed staff at a case conference meeting.

The second alleged he accosted a director in an agitated state.

The Commissioner found the councillor's conduct in both instances was abusive, bullying, and intimidating, contravening the Code of Conduct.

No sanction was recommended at this time, but a stern warning was issued regarding future conduct.

The Mayor of the Township of South Stormont filed a complaint alleging that the Deputy Mayor repeatedly violated the Code of Conduct through rude and hostile behaviour.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated three incidents.

He found no violation regarding her opposition to a bio pellet plant proposal.

However, he found that the Deputy Mayor violated the Code by speaking to the press about a confidential organizational review and by making egregious personal attacks against the Mayor regarding a rezoning application.

The Integrity Commissioner declined to impose sanctions at this time, noting the Deputy Mayor's willingness to change, but warned that future violations would result in sanctions.

The Integrity Commissioner for the City of Guelph reported on complaints filed by three municipal staff members against Councillor Maggie Laidlaw.

The complainants alleged that the councillor contravened the Code of Conduct by making statements and sending emails that amounted to abuse, bullying, and intimidation regarding a parking issue before the Committee of Adjustment.

The councillor admitted to an error in judgment and issued sincere apologies to the complainants.

The complainants accepted the apologies and withdrew their complaints, concluding the matter.

A former tenant of a property co-owned by a municipal councillor filed a complaint alleging the councillor sent a threatening email using her City email account and improperly used her influence with the regional police.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the councillor violated the Council Code of Conduct by using City IT resources to send a threatening email in a personal business matter and recommended a reprimand.

However, the Commissioner found no evidence that the councillor improperly used her influence with the police, as the police confirmed she received no preferential treatment.

The Mayor and CAO of the Town of Carleton Place filed a complaint against the Deputy Mayor, alleging he contravened the Council Code of Conduct by sending inappropriate and harassing emails to staff and the public.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the Deputy Mayor engaged in a compulsive pattern of sending offensive emails, which constituted harassment and damaged staff relations.

The Commissioner recommended a one-week suspension of the Deputy Mayor's remuneration and proposed a framework for future automatic suspensions if further offensive emails are sent.