Accountability

The Council of the Corporation of the County of Elgin 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 County of Elgin 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 County of Elgin will engage its stakeholders throughout its decision making process which will be open, visible and transparent to the public.

Inquiries

Through By-law No. 22-43 the municipality has appointed Aird & Berlis LLP as Integrity Commissioner, Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator, and Ombudsman and authorized him to conduct investigations upon receipt of a complaint. Elgin County encourages potential complainants to contact Meghan Cowan at mcowan@airdberlis.com or 416-865-4722 for a consultation in advance of submitting a formal complaint form. 

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.

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

The County of Elgin 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. 

Please consult the Procedure for Municipal Closed Meeting Investigations before submitting a request for an investigation  through the Municipal Investigation Complaint Form.

Elgin County strives to deliver responsive, accessible and quality customer service to all of its citizens. In order to make complaints and compliments simple and easy please follow the compliments, feedback and complaints procedure

If the matter remains unresolved, then the complaint may be forwarded to the Municipal Ombudsman by filling out the Personnel Complaint/Compliment Form.

The County of Elgin is committed to public transparency and accountability under the terms of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).  MFIPPA establishes a general right of access to records created and maintained by the County under the following guiding principles:

  • The public has the right to information held by the County, and that information should be made available to the public;
  • Any person can make a request for information held by the County under the Act;
  • Any exemptions from the right of access to information should be limited and specific;
  • Individuals have a right to the protection of personal information held by the County under the Act;
  • Any decisions relating to access to information can be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

Full MFIPPA Guidelines and Procedure for filing a request under MFIPPA can be found in the Elgin County Access to Information and Privacy Policy. Click here for the application form.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures

Family Day Closure Notice
Graphic to indicate holiday closures at Elgin County Facilities. The Elgin County Administration Building, Provincial Offences Administration Building, and Elgin County Heritage Centre will be closed on Friday, December 23rd at noon. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.