Valerie Jepson

A member of the public filed a complaint alleging that a former municipal councillor contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by using a constituency email list to send a campaign email supporting a candidate in the 2018 municipal election.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the former councillor contravened Articles VI and VII of the Code of Conduct by re-purposing his constituency mailing list, which was managed using City resources, for election-related purposes.

However, the Commissioner recommended that City Council impose no penalty or remedial action, noting that the former councillor is no longer in office and had attempted to maintain some separation by not using City IT infrastructure to send the email.

City Council requested the Integrity Commissioner to investigate a breach of confidentiality regarding a confidential investigation report that was leaked to the media.

The Commissioner determined that there was no reasonable prospect of identifying the source of the disclosure, given the large number of possible sources and the media's typical refusal to reveal sources.

The Commissioner remained alert to the issue during a related inquiry but obtained insufficient information to identify the source.

The report was provided to City Council for information, emphasizing the seriousness of disclosing confidential information and encouraging individuals with specific information to come forward.

The City of Toronto Integrity Commissioner investigated whether Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti and Councillor John Filion, along with members of the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) and Emery Village Business Improvement Area (EVBIA) boards, contravened the Code of Conduct regarding the potential acquisition of land for a monumental flagpole project.

The investigation examined allegations of improper use of influence, inappropriate business relations, improper conduct respecting staff, and disclosure of confidential information.

The Commissioner found insufficient evidence to conclude that any member of the TPA or EVBIA boards contravened the applicable Code of Conduct, though she noted that staff were subjected to significant pressure.

The Commissioner recommended that City Council establish protocols for councillors sitting on local boards and amend the Code of Conduct to require participation in Integrity Commissioner inquiries.

The CEO of the TTC filed a complaint alleging that a City Councillor contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by making public statements during a radio interview that questioned the integrity and objectivity of TTC staff regarding a briefing note on the Scarborough subway extension.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the Councillor's statements crossed the line from fair comment to injurious statements about professional staff, contravening Article XII of the Code of Conduct.

The Commissioner recommended that City Council reprimand the Councillor.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated two complaints by Councillor John Filion against Councillor Michael Thompson.

The first complaint alleged that Councillor Thompson improperly used his influence to assist a friend's development project in Councillor Filion's ward.

The second complaint alleged that Councillor Thompson engaged in discreditable conduct and reprisals by spreading rumours about Councillor Filion.

The Commissioner found that Councillor Thompson contravened Article VIII (Improper Use of Influence) by using his office to advocate for his friend's project, but dismissed the allegations of discreditable conduct and reprisals.

The Commissioner recommended that City Council reprimand Councillor Thompson and direct him to cease assisting the developer.

The Auditor General requested an inquiry into whether a municipal councillor contravened Article VIII (Improper Use of Influence) of the Code of Conduct based on an anonymous letter alleging he improperly referred matters to a development consultant.

Following an investigation, the Integrity Commissioner found no evidence to support a finding that the councillor had any business or referral relationship with the named consultant.

The inquiry concluded that there was no basis to support the allegations of a referral scheme.

A member of the public filed a complaint alleging that two city councillors and the chair of an arena board of management contravened the Code of Conduct by failing to adhere to the City's Donations Policy when approving a sign bylaw amendment.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the Donations Policy did not apply to the sign approval process, as determined by appropriate City staff.

The Commissioner concluded that the respondents did not breach any policy and therefore did not contravene the Code of Conduct.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint that a municipal councillor contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by stating in a radio interview that a City staff member had misled Council.

The Commissioner found that the statements were not fair comment and unfairly called into question the staff member's integrity, thereby contravening Article XII (Conduct Respecting Staff).

However, because the councillor had already publicly apologized for his comments, the Commissioner recommended that Council adopt the finding of a contravention but impose no penalty or remedial action.

The City of Toronto Integrity Commissioner investigated complaints that former Councillor Doug Ford contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by using his influence to assist two companies, Donnelley and Apollo, which were clients of his family's printing business, Deco.

The Commissioner found that Councillor Ford contravened Article VIII (Improper Use of Influence) by arranging meetings and making inquiries with City staff on behalf of both companies, failing to separate his public duties from his private business interests.

The Commissioner also found that he contravened Article IV (Gifts and Benefits) by accepting dinner and tennis tickets from Apollo.

No penalty was recommended as he was no longer a member of Council.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint alleging that a City Councillor contravened the Code of Conduct in relation to a section 37 agreement and by appearing in a promotional video for a developer.

The Commissioner found that the Councillor contravened the Code by engaging in discussions for community benefits outside the section 37 agreement, contrary to the City's Community Benefits Policy.

The Commissioner also found that the Councillor improperly used his influence by appearing in the promotional video, facilitating donations from the developer to third parties, and arranging a meeting between a friend and the developer.

No penalty was recommended as the Councillor accepted the findings and agreed to voluntary remedial actions.

A member of the public filed a complaint alleging that a City Councillor contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by acting aggressively toward an Uber driver and members of the public.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the Councillor's actions were intimidating and constituted discreditable conduct under Article XIV of the Code.

However, considering the incident was a single, brief exchange early in the Councillor's term, the Commissioner recommended that Council adopt a finding of a contravention but impose no formal sanction or remedial action.

A member of the public filed a complaint alleging that a City Councillor contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council following a series of interactions regarding a parking issue.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the Councillor did not contravene Article VI (Use of City Property, Services and Other Resources) as he did not obtain special relief from parking enforcement.

However, the Commissioner found that the Councillor contravened Article XIV (Discreditable Conduct) by acting in an intimidating and harassing manner toward the complainant and her family.

The Commissioner recommended that City Council reprimand the Councillor.

A member of the public filed a complaint alleging that Mayor John Tory contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by improperly using his influence to benefit former campaign staff who were acting as consultants for Uber.

The complaint centered on a motion moved by the Mayor to defer consideration of a staff report regarding taxicab regulations.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the deferral motion was motivated by policy considerations, including the desire to regulate the ground transportation industry comprehensively and await the outcome of pending litigation.

The Commissioner concluded there was no evidence the Mayor intended to benefit his former campaign staff or Uber, and dismissed the complaint, while providing guidance on interactions between elected officials and former campaign staff acting as lobbyists.

A member of the public filed a complaint alleging that Councillor Rob Ford included an advertisement for a campaign fundraiser in his constituency newsletter, contrary to the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the newsletter, although produced by staff on personal time and paid for with personal funds, was inextricably linked to the Councillor's constituency work and subject to City policies.

The Commissioner concluded that the Councillor contravened Articles VI and VII of the Code by using the newsletter and City resources, including staff time, for campaign purposes.

The Commissioner also found a contravention of Article XV for failing to disclose the personal funds used to pay for the newsletter.

A suspension of remuneration for three days was recommended.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated a complaint by Councillor Pam McConnell regarding the conduct of then-Mayor Rob Ford.

On November 18, 2013, Ford ran through the Council Chamber and collided with McConnell, causing her physical and emotional harm.

The Commissioner found that Ford's decision to run through the Chamber was reckless, lacked decorum, and contravened the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.

While Ford did not intend to harm McConnell, his actions were unbecoming of his position.

Ford accepted the findings and voluntarily offered to pay $1,000 to a community program of McConnell's choice to express his regret.

The Commissioner recommended that Council adopt a finding of a Code of Conduct contravention but impose no further penalty in light of the voluntary payment.

A resident filed a complaint alleging that the then-Mayor violated the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by using racial slurs on two occasions.

The Integrity Commissioner found that the Mayor breached Article XIV of the Code of Conduct by making abusive and harmful statements in the presence of his staff.

Given the Mayor's admission, cooperation, and planned formal apology to Council, the Commissioner recommended no further remedial action.