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.

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Ontario's Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) provides an individual with the right to access records of information, including one's own personal information, under the custody and control of a local government institution.

Individuals wanting to submit a formal request for information under the access to information legislation (MFIPPA) may do so using the Request Form and accompanied by a $5.00 application fee. In addition to the application fee, you may be required to pay other fees. The rules regarding the payment and amount of fees are set out in the Act and its regulations.

Routine Access to Municipal Records

Individuals wishing routine access to municipal government records should begin by contacting the Municipality of Bayham. You will be connected with the Municipal Department holding the records you are seeking.

The appropriate departmental staff will then determine if the request should be submitted formally under MFIPPA, or if the records will be provided as a routine disclosure. It is important to note that the rules governing access and privacy under MFIPPA apply to both formal and informal requests for information.

Integrity Commissioner - Code of Conduct

Any person or a representative of an organization who has identified or witnessed behaviour or an activity by a member of Council that they believe is in contravention of the Council Code of Conduct (the  “Code”) may wish to address the prohibited behaviour or activity themselves as follows:

1. Advise the member that their behaviour or activity contravenes the Code;
2. Encourage the member to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity;
3. If applicable, confirm to the member your satisfaction or dissatisfaction with his response to the concern identified;
4. Keep a written record of the incidents including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information, including steps taken to resolve the matter.
5. If not satisfied with the response received through the informal process, an individual may proceed with a Code of Conduct Formal Complaint through the Integrity Commissioner.

All persons and organizations are encouraged to initially pursue this informal complaint procedure as a means of stopping and remedying a behaviour or activity that is prohibited by the Code. With the consent of the complaining individual or organization and the member, the Integrity Commissioner may be part of any informal process. However, it is not a precondition or a prerequisite that those complaining must pursue the informal complaint procedure before pursuing the Formal Complaint.

Bayham's Integrity Commissioner and Closed Meeting Investigator is Aird & Berlis LLP. Contacts and contact Information can be found HERE

Closed Meeting Investigator

The Municipality of Bayham shall ensure that Closed Meeting Investigation Request for investigations submitted under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001 as amended (the Act) are dealt with in a fair, open and expeditious manner.

The Municipality of Bayham shall provide the information requested by the Municipal Closed Session Investigator either written or through interviews, to assist the Municipal Investigator in his investigations.

The Municipality of Bayham shall ensure any report received from the Investigator related to an investigation under the Act, is placed on a public agenda and that consideration of such reports is conducted in an open public session of Council. 

Ontario Ombudsman

As of January 1, 2016, the Ontario Ombudsman can take general complaints about the province’s 444 municipalities.

Anyone with an unresolved concern about a municipality including citizens, councillors, or special interest groups can contact the Ombudsman by using the online complaint form here. Complaints can also be filed by phone (1-800-263-1830), or email info@ombudsman.on.ca.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures

Conduct Disclosure Statements