Accountability

The Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham acknowledges that it is responsible to provide good government for its stakeholders in an accountable and transparent manner, guided by the following principles:

• Encouraging public access and participation, where possible, to ensure that decision making is responsive to the needs of its constituents and receptive to their opinions;
• Delivering high quality services to our citizens; and
• Promoting the efficient use of public resources.

Accountability, transparency and openness are standards of good government that enhance public trust. They are achieved through the Municipality of Bayham adopting measures ensuring, to the best of its ability, that all activities and services are undertaken utilizing a process that is open and accessible to its stakeholders. In addition, wherever possible, the Municipality of Bayham will engage its stakeholders throughout its decision making process which will be open, visible and transparent to the public.

Section 223.3 of the Municipal Act requires municipalities to appoint an Integrity Commissioner to oversee the Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act as it relates to elected officials and members of local boards (conflict of interest disclosures found below). 

An integrity Commissioner has the power to investigate alleged contraventions of the Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and has the right of free access to all records of a municipality, or a local board in pursuit of that investigation.

An Integrity Commissioner can recommend a reprimand or suspension of pay for up to 90 days if there is a finding of a contravention of the Code of Conduct but Council must vote on whether to accept that recommendation. An Integrity Commissioner can also consider alleged contraventions of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, in which case, the Integrity Commissioner makes a decision whether to apply to a judge for the imposition of a penalty. Council does not vote on this matter. 

Bayham's Integrity Commissioner is Aird & Berlis LLP. Residents, Staff, and Council Members may contact the Integrity Commissioner for advice or to submit a formal complaint against a Member of Council. Please be aware that the services provided by the Integrity Commissioner are billed back to the Municipality. 

Aird & Berlis LLP also acts as Bayham's Closed Meeting Investigator for any person to request that an investigation be undertaken respecting whether a municipality, local board or a committee of either has complied with the closed meeting rules contained within Section 239 of the Municipal Act. 

Please use the Closed Meeting Investigation Request form if you wish to submit a request. 

If you have a general complaint that was being handled through the Municipality that you feel is unresolved, you may contact the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman.