If you believe that a Council member has breached the Code of Conduct, you may request an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner.
Accountability and Transparency
The Municipality of Clarington provides critical services in our community. We want to make sure that we are accountable and transparent in our actions. The Municipality encourages resident participation to foster an atmosphere of openness in all decision-making.
To enhance public trust, Council has established a system of checks and balances. Council has appointed three accountability officers to independently investigate matters about the conduct of members of Council, closed meetings and municipal services.
Council Code of Conduct
The Council Code of Conduct helps to ensure that members of Council engage and debate using acceptable conduct. These standards should serve to enhance public confidence that the Municipality's elected representatives conduct Council business in a civil and courteous manner.
Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act endorses the following principles in relation to the duties of members of councils and of local boards under this Act:
- The importance of integrity, independence and accountability in local government decision-making.
- The importance of certainty in reconciling the public duties and pecuniary interests of members.
- Members are expected to perform their duties of office with integrity and impartiality in a manner that will bear the closest scrutiny.
- There is a benefit to municipalities and local boards when members have a broad range of knowledge and continue to be active in their own communities, whether in business, in the practice of a profession, in community associations, and otherwise.
Declaration of Interest Registry
In accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, the Municipal Clerk maintains a Declaration of Interest Registry, which is a record of each time a Member of Council declares an interest at a Standing Committee meeting or Council meeting. The Registry contains links to the Member’s declaration of interest form as well as a link to the minutes for the meeting.
How to Request a Declaration of Interest Inquiry
If you believe that a Council member or local board member has contravened the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (MCIA), you may request an inquiry by the Integrity Commissioner.
Closed Meeting Investigator
The Closed Meeting Investigator is responsible for investigating complaints about the conduct of closed meetings of Council, committees and local boards. The Ontario Ombudsman has been appointed as Clarington’s Closed Meeting Investigator.
Learn more about closed meetings.
Municipal Ombudsman
The Municipal Ombudsman investigates concerns about Municipal services and administrative unfairness. We recommended that you speak to the department responsible for the service first, as many issues can be resolved at the source before escalation.
- Learn more about filing a formal customer service complaint.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal formal complaint process, you may then file a complaint with the Municipal Ombudsman, which, for Clarington, is the Ontario Ombudsman.
Useful resources
The following are by-laws, policies, and procedures that ensure the Municipality is transparent in its operations and residents are aware of how decisions are made and carried out:
- Transparency and Accountability Policy (PDF)
- Council Code of Conduct By-law
- Council and Staff Relations Policy (PDF)
- Respectful Conduct Policy (PDF)
- Procedural By-law
- Procurement of Goods and Services - Purchasing By-Law
- Delegation of Authority By-law
- Harassment Policy (PDF)
- Workplace Violence Policy (PDF)
- Recruitment Policy (PDF)
- Sale and Disposition of Land By-law
- Code of Ethics Policy (PDF)
- Enforcement Policy (PDF)
- Public Notice Policy (PDF)
Contact Us
Address: 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
Phone: 905-623-3379
TTY: 1-844-790-1599
