Accountability and Transparency

We’re committed to an open and transparent government that’s accountable to our residents. To help deliver on this commitment, there are mechanisms in place to promote and protect accountability and transparency in our government.

Code of Conduct and Integrity Commissioner

The Council Code of Conduct Policy was put in place to govern the actions of council. The Code establishes standards of conduct for members of Council, boards and committee members in the individual conduct of their official duties.

Make a Code of Conduct complaint

If you believe a member of Council has contravened the Code of Conduct, you can choose to submit an informal complaint or file an official complaint. It is not required to have first submitted an informal complaint if you wish to pursue the formal complaint procedure.

Please note: As per the Municipal Act, complaints may not be made to the Integrity Commissioner during the Election Period (Nomination Day to Voting Day).

Informal complaint process

File a written request and supporting affidavit with the Clerk in person at the Haldimand County Administration Building identifying how you believe the member contravened the Code of Conduct, including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information.
The Clerk will notify the council member and provide a copy of the complaint without disclosing your identity.
The council member has 10 business days to provide a written response to the Clerk addressing the allegation.
The Clerk will send you the council member’s response and you will have 10 business days to provide a written response back to the Clerk stating:
- Satisfaction with the response
- Dissatisfaction with the response and if you’d like to pursue a formal complaint
The Clerk will advise the council member of your response

Formal complaint process

The formal complaint process involves filing an official complaint with the County’s Integrity Commissioner. All formal complaints must be submitted within six weeks of becoming aware of the believed contravention.

Download and complete a Code of Conduct Complaint Form and Affidavit (PDF) and bring it to the Haldimand County Administration Building to be signed and sworn in front of the Clerk or Deputy Clerk.
Pay the filing fee of $200 to submit your complaint. The $200 will be refunded if the Integrity Commissioner determines the complaint warrants investigation.
The Clerk will forward the complaint to the Integrity Commissioner who will determine if the complaint violates the code and may request additional information.
The council member is then given a copy of the complaint and asked to respond in writing within 10 business days. A copy of this response is provided back to you and additional discussion may occur between you and the Integrity Commissioner.
Within 90 days of filing the complaint, the Integrity Commissioner will submit a final report to Council detailing their findings and any recommended actions.
Council will consider and respond to the report within 90 days after the report was presented, and determine what actions will be taken.

For more details on the formal complaint process, refer to Schedule 1 of the Council Code of Conduct or contact the Municipal Clerk.

Integrity Commissioner annual reports

The Integrity Commissioner is required to provide us with a yearly report showing an overview of complaint activity for the period. Find the most recent reports below.

Complaint reports

Integrity Commissioner Complaint Report: September 17 2024 (PDF)

Closed meeting investigations

If you wish to file a complaint regarding a Closed Meeting of Council, you must do so through the Ontario Ombudsman. The Ontario Ombudsman promotes public sector accountability by investigating public complaints and issues within their jurisdiction.

You can submit your complaint online, or by mail at:

Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
483 Bay St., 10th Floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON, M5G 2C9

Registry of declarations of pecuniary interest

Often referred to as a Conflicts Registry, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires that municipalities create and maintain a public registry of all declarations of pecuniary interest made by members of Council.

View the Conflicts Registry