MICO 2012

The Integrity Commissioner issued a supplementary report regarding a formal complaint against a municipal councillor for violating Article XII of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.

The initial report recommended a reprimand because there had been no apology for comments made about the Medical Officer of Health.

Following a public apology by the respondent, which was accepted by both the complainant and the Medical Officer of Health, the Integrity Commissioner recommended that Council adopt a finding of a breach but impose no further sanction.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated two alleged breaches of confidentiality by City Council members.

The first allegation concerned an Executive Committee meeting where a Councillor asked a question based on constituent concerns, not confidential information.

The second allegation involved a leak of confidential personal information regarding public appointments during a City Council meeting.

The Commissioner found no breach in the first instance and could not substantiate the second due to insufficient information.

The report was recommended to be received for information.

The Integrity Commissioner reported on Mayor Rob Ford's failure to comply with a previous City Council decision requiring him to reimburse lobbyist and corporate donors from whom he had improperly solicited donations.

Despite multiple requests, Mayor Ford did not provide proof of reimbursement and instead asked donors to forgive repayment, potentially causing further breaches of the Lobbyist Code of Conduct.

The Commissioner recommended that Council impose a strict deadline of March 6, 2012, for compliance.

A member of staff filed a complaint alleging that a City Councillor violated Article XII of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by making critical comments about the staff member on a public radio program.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the comments constituted a violation of the Code of Conduct, as they were an attack on the personal and professional reputation of the complainant.

The Councillor acknowledged that her comments were improper and apologized to the complainant.

The Integrity Commissioner recommended that City Council find a violation occurred but impose no sanction.

A City of Toronto Councillor filed a formal complaint alleging Mayor Rob Ford violated Article XII of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by making derogatory comments about the Medical Officer of Health on a radio program.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the Mayor breached the Code by demeaning the professional reputation of the Medical Officer of Health and mischaracterizing the mandate of Toronto Public Health.

The Commissioner recommended that City Council adopt a finding that the Mayor breached the Code of Conduct.

A member of Toronto City Council filed a complaint alleging that Councillor Doug Ford violated Article XII of the Code of Conduct by making derogatory comments about the Medical Officer of Health on a radio program.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the comments, which questioned the competence of the Medical Officer of Health, breached the Code of Conduct.

The Commissioner recommended that Council adopt a finding of a breach and impose a reprimand.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated complaints made by a resident against the Mayor of the Township of Georgian Bay, alleging breaches of the Code of Conduct including bullying and intimidation of councillors.

The Commissioner dismissed two complaints for lack of jurisdiction as the alleged events occurred before the Code was enacted.

After interviewing the complainant and several councillors, the Commissioner dismissed the remaining complaint, finding no direct evidence of misconduct and concluding that the issues were conflicts of personality and leadership style rather than intentional intimidation.

A citizen filed a complaint alleging that Councillor Doug Ford violated Article XIV of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council by approaching him in the Council Chamber and using intimidating language.

The Integrity Commissioner investigated and found that the Councillor had spoken to the complainant in an angry tone, referencing ongoing compliance audit litigation and stating 'what goes around comes around.' An informal resolution was attempted, but the Councillor provided an apology letter that failed to acknowledge responsibility and suggested the complainant had misunderstood his words.

The Integrity Commissioner concluded that the Councillor's conduct constituted bullying and intimidation in breach of the Code of Conduct, and recommended that City Council request a proper written apology from the Councillor.

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.