Providing accountability and transparency in municipal operations is a central role of council. To accomplish this the Municipality has put in place an Integrity Commissioner, a Council Code of Conduct, and a Conflict of Interest registry.

What is an Integrity Commissioner?

An Integrity Commissioner is an independent and impartial person hired by the Municipality as a confidential advisor to Mayor and Council for situations regarding the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest.

The Integrity Commissioner investigates complaints received from any person regarding a breach of Code of Conduct by council members. Investigation reports and Annual reports will be published on this page once received.

What is a Code of Conduct?

The Municipality of Mississippi Mills' Council Code of Conduct applies to all members of Council, Boards and Committees and aims to ensure public trust and confidence in the municipality's decision making process and operations. The public should expect the highest standards of conduct from the members they elect to local government, as well as members serving on Municipal boards and committees.

 

How to file a Code of Conduct complaint?

If any person believes a council, committee or board member has disregarded the Code of Conduct Council they may make a complaint by filing out the Code of Conduct Complaint Form
 

What is a Conflict of Interest?

The Conflict of Interest Act governs individual Councillors, Committee and Board members, and is the duty of each member to comply.

A conflict of interest is any personal or pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, for the councillor or family member of the councillor for any item under consideration by Council, Committee or Board. Pecuniary interest refers to any financial or monetary interest, whether it's a positive or negative influence.

It is the responsibility of each member, not staff, to determine whether they have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest with respect to matters arising before Council, a Board or Committee. Councillors shall not take part in any discussion or influence other councillors before, during or after the meeting for items they have declared a conflict of interest in. They will also be unable to vote on these items.

If a councillor does not declare a conflict of interest they may be subject to penalties.

 

How to file a Conflict of Interest complaint?

 Any person can file a complaint using the Conflict of Interest Inquiry Form with the Clerk of the Municipality regarding a Council, Committee or Board member if they believe they have contravened the Conflict of Interest Act.

Registry for Conflict of Interests Declared

Effective January 2018 section 6.1 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires municipalities and local boards to establish and maintain registries that keep copies of statements filed under the Conflict of Interest Act. The registry shall be available for public inspection in the manner and during the time that the municipality may determine. 

For more information please visit the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.50  


Closed Meeting Investigation

Under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, any individual may request that an investigation be undertaken to determine whether a municipality or local board has complied with the Municipal Act or its Procedure By-law in respect of a meeting or part of a meeting that was closed to the public.

The Municipality of Mississippi Mills has appointed Local Authority Services (LAS) as its Closed Meeting Investigator. Upon receipt of a Closed Meeting complaint, the Local Authority Services will investigate to determine if topics discussed during Closed Session meetings of Council and its Committees were in violation of the Municipal Act.

 

When can a meeting be closed to the Public?

 

Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended states that part of a meeting may be closed to the public under the following circumstances:

  • The security of property of the municipality or local board;
  • Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including local board employees;
  • A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board;
  • Labour relations or employee negotiations;
  • Litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board;
  • Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;
  • A matter in respect of which a council, board, committee or other body may hold a closed meeting under another Act;
  • Information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them;
  • A trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization;
  • A trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or potential monetary value; and
  • A position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.
  • A request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, if the council, board, commission or other body is the head of an institution for the purposes of that Act.
  • An ongoing investigation respecting the municipality, a local board or a municipally-controlled corporation by the Ombudsman appointed under the Ombudsman Act, an Ombudsman referred to in subsection 223.13 (1) of this Act, or the investigator referred to in subsection 239.2 (1). 2014, c. 13, Sched. 9, s. 22.
  • The meeting is held for the purpose of educating or training the members; and at the meeting, no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of the council, local board or committee.  2006, c. 32, Sched. A, s. 103 (1).

Do you have a concern?

  1. Contact the Clerk's Department to see if they can answer your question or concern.
  2. If you believe that a Council, Committee, or Board meeting was closed to the public in a way that is not permitted by the Municipal Act, 2001, please submit a Complaint Form to request a Closed Meeting Investigation.
  3. Request Form for Closed Session Investigation
  4. All complaints must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked "Private and Confidential" and contain the following information:
  • Complainant's name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address (if applicable)
  • Name of the Municipality
  • Date of Closed Meeting
  • Background and reasons
  • Original signature and date

All complaints shall be submitted by mail or in person directly to:

Municipality of Mississippi Mills
3131 Old Perth Road, Box 400
Almonte, ON  K0A 1A0

Attention: Municipal Clerk

Investigation Reports

Pursuant to the Municipal Act, the following report has been made public:

June 2017 - Closed Meeting Investigation Final Report 

May 2021 - Closed Meeting Investigation Report - MECG

August 9 2022 - Code of Conduct Investigation Final Report