Integrity Commissioner

A Code of Conduct outlines the rules, roles, and responsibilities of the members to promote accountability and transparency in municipal governance.

These roles and responsibilities are outlined for:

• business relations
• conduct at meetings
• conduct of a political nature
• conduct respecting self
• conduct respecting and representing the Township
• protection of confidential information
• discreditable conduct
• employment of relatives
• failure to follow Council policies and procedures
• receipt of gifts and benefits
• and use of Township property

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to establish a general standard to ensure that all members share a common basis for acceptable conduct, and to which all members are expected to follow.

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act is an Ontario law that sets ethical rules for local government. It prohibits municipal council and local board members from participating in decisions where they have a financial interest.

Members of Council and local boards are required to submit a written statement at a meeting, or as soon as possible afterwards, whenever they declare a pecuniary interest on an agenda item at a Council or local board meeting. 

The Registry of Pecuniary Interest is available for viewing.

An Integrity Commissioner is an independent resource who reports to Council and who is responsible for performing in an independent manner the functions assigned by the Township with respect to:

• The application of the Code of Conduct for members of Council and members of local boards
• The application of any procedures, rules and policies of the Township and local boards governing the ethical behaviour of members of Council and local boards
• The application of sections 5, 5.1 and 5.2 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to members of Council and of local boards
• Requests from members of Council and of local boards for advice respecting their obligations under the code of conduct applicable to the member
• Requests from members of Council and of local boards for advice respecting their obligations under a procedure, rule, or policy of the Township or of the local board governing the ethical behaviour of members
• Requests from members of Council and of local boards for advice respecting their obligations under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
• The provision of educational information to members of Council, members of local boards, the Township and the public about the Township's codes of conduct for members of Council and members of local boards and about the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

The Township of Greater Madawaska appointed David Boghosian of Boghosian & Allen LLP, as Integrity Commissioner for a four year period, from April 16, 2026 to April 16, 2030, by By-Law 24-2026.

If you believe a Council or Committee member has contravened the Code of Conduct, you can file a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner by completing the Council Code of Conduct Complaint Form and submitting the form to the Clerk.

To lodge a complaint about a contravention of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, specifically Section 5, 5.1, or 5.2, complete the Municipal Conflict of Interest Statutory Declaration form and submit by email to Integrity Commissioner David Boghosian.