Accountability & Transparency

Code of Conduct and Complaint Process for Elected and Appointed Officials 

If you believe the Code of Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials has been violated, you can submit a complaint. The procedure for Complaints under this Code of Conduct shall be governed by the Advice, Complaint and Investigation Protocol.

Steps to Launch a Formal Complaint: 

Step 1: Complete the Formal Complaint Form/Affidavit (Appendix 'A' to Policy S201-16)

• Complete the affidavit, including sections 1, 2 and 3; 
  • Please note, anonymous complaints will not be accepted;

• Do not sign the form until you are before a Commissioner of Oaths;

• Clerk’s Department Staff may act as a Commissioner for this purpose.

Step 2: File the Affidavit directly to the Office of the Town Clerk;

• If your Affidavit has already been sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, bring the Affidavit and any supporting documentation to the Office of the Town Clerk. Complaints may be submitted by regular or registered mail, personal delivery, courier or e-mail. Where applicable, a Complaint shall be accompanied by the requisite filing fee prescribed by the Town's Fees and Charges By-law as adopted, amended or replaced from time to time;

• If you require a Commissioner, bring the completed form, unsigned and unsealed, to the Office of the Town Clerk.  Appointments are recommended 905 892-2607, ext. 315.  Identification is required.  There will be no fee for the Clerk to commission the document.

Step 3: Upon receipt of a Complaint and any applicable filing fee, the Town Clerk shall refer the matter to the Integrity Commissioner and shall provide the Integrity Commissioner with all materials submitted by the Complainant. 

The Town Clerk and any other necessary individuals will maintain confidentiality.

Additional Documentation: 
By-law #4104(2019) - Being a by-law to adopt the Town of Pelham Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards. 
Policy S201-15 - Code of Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials 
Policy S201-16 - Advice, Complaint and Investigation Protocol 

The Integrity Commissioner receives complaints about violations of the Council Code of Conduct, and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Pelham Council has appointed Suzanne Craig, SC Consulting, as the Town's Integrity Commissioner.

In addition to receiving and potentially investigating complaints under the Codes of Conduct and the MCIA, the Integrity Commissioner also provides advice, education and information to members of Council and local boards regarding their obligations under the Code of Conduct and the MCIA.

See above Council Code of Conduct for code and complaint procedure.

Contact Information: Integrity Commissioner 

Suzanne Craig (She/Her)
SC Consulting 

Email: suzannecraigintegrity@gmail.com 
Phone: 416-560-2829

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.50 requires municipalities to maintain a registry of all declarations made pursuant to this Act. The full registry must include an original written declaration provided by the Member of Council, and is to be made available to the public on request.  A summary table of the registry is available below and the registry is updated on each new declaration.

2022 - 2026 Term - Registry of Disclosure

To view a copy of the written submissions, please contact the Clerk’s Office during regular business hours.

Under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, meetings of Council and local boards may be closed to the public if Council is discussing certain subjects that are sensitive in nature.

If you believe that a meeting of Council or a local board was unlawfully closed to the public, you may submit a request for a closed meeting investigation to the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario.

The Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario investigates complaints about municipal services and activities, and whether meetings of Council or its local boards have been properly closed to the public. The Ombudsman will only look into your complaint if you have already explored all other means of complaint resolution first.