Consultation: Strengthening accountability for municipal council members
We are seeking input on how to strengthen accountability for municipal council members.
The consultation closed on July 15, 2021.
About the consultation
We want to ensure that councillors and heads of council maintain a safe and respectful workplace and carry out their duties as elected officials ethically and responsibly.
Currently, municipalities are required to have a code of conduct for members of councils and certain local boards, as well as provide access to an integrity commissioner. More information about municipal codes of conduct and accountability rules for members of council can be found in the Ontario Municipal Councillor’s Guide.
We are seeking feedback on:
- what changes or mechanisms are needed to better hold council members accountable for municipal code of conduct violations
- how to more effectively enforce these codes
- whether a broader range of penalties for violations of the codes of conduct are needed
It is critical that everyone feels safe and respected in the workplace. Incidents or complaints of workplace harassment should be reported to your employer. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development also provides resources to help identify and address workplace violence and harassment.
Find more information and resources about workplace violence and harassment, Ontario’s Human Rights Code and how to make complaints under those frameworks.
Your privacy matters
By completing the online survey, you may be sharing personal information with the Government of Ontario.
The Government may use any personal information that you, including, but not limited to, your personal opinions and views, name, email address, and IP address, for the purpose of seeking input on local government policy development as well as research and statistical activity related to local government. The Government may also use your personal information to contact you to clarify your answers, to ask for further information or to inform you of additional opportunities to participate in consultation on the development of policy.
Some of the non-identifying information shared may be used by the Government of Ontario and their service providers to measure website analytics, performance and to improve our services.
Your information will not be placed on mailing lists or released to any third party, except as may be authorized by law. For questions on how personal information collected on this page will be used, please see our privacy statement.
Resources
Ontario’s accountability and transparency framework for municipalities
For more information about municipal codes of conduct and accountability rules for members of council, please see the Ontario Municipal Councillor’s Guide, the Municipal Act, 2001 and City of Toronto Act, 2006, or contact your municipality directly.
Ontario’s workplace health and safety framework
For more information about workplace violence and workplace harassment rules and resources please see: Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment and Code of practice to address workplace harassment.
Ontario’s Human Rights Code
To learn more about Ontario’s Human Rights Code or if you have concerns about a human rights violation, please visit:
- the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) for policy resources
- the Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC) for legal advice services
- the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) for filing claims for individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination and harassment
Get help if you are experiencing violence
Learn about resources that are available and how you can get help if you or someone you know is experiencing violence.