Submit a Code of Conduct complaint

What you need to know before you submit a complaint

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  What is a complaint?

  A complaint is a formal allegation that a Council member or Advisory Board member has breached the Code of Conduct By-law No. 12886, submitted to the Integrity Commissioner in line with the complaint procedure in Part 6 of the by-law.

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  Who a complaint can be about

  The Integrity Commissioner can only consider complaints about:

  • A Council member
  • An Advisory Board member

  The Integrity Commissioner doesn’t have jurisdiction over complaints about:

  • City employees
  • Contractors
  • Members of the public
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  What happens after a complaint is submitted

  When the completed online form is submitted, the submission is reviewed to determine whether it meets the basic requirements to be treated as a complaint under the Code of Conduct.

  Depending on the circumstances, the submission may be rejected because it cannot be:

  • Treated as a complaint under the Code
  • Accepted as a complaint and proceed to preliminary assessment
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  What it means if a submission is rejected

  A submission may be rejected if it does not meet the basic requirements to be treated as a complaint under the Code of Conduct.

  This can occur where the submission is:

  • Not about a Council member or Advisory Board member
  • Does not allege conduct that could fall under the Code
  • Clearly outside the Integrity Commissioner’s jurisdiction
  • Not submitted in accordance with the required complaint procedure

  If a submission is rejected:

  • The complainant is notified in writing with reasons 
  • The matter does not proceed under the Code

  Note Individuals who are not subject to the Code are not notified.

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  Why every complaint doesn’t proceed 

  If a submission is accepted as a complaint under the Code, the Integrity Commissioner conducts a preliminary assessment to determine how the complaint should proceed.

  Following preliminary assessment:

  • A complaint may proceed under the Code
  • It may be dismissed or closed for 1 of the reasons set out in the Code
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  Who is notified if a complaint is dismissed or closed

  If a complaint is dismissed or closed following the preliminary assessment, the:

  • Complainant is notified in writing with reasons
  • Respondent is notified in writing with reasons
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  What happens after a complaint proceeds

  If a complaint proceeds beyond preliminary assessment:

  • It may be addressed through informal resolution 
  • Proceed to a formal investigation, as required under the Code

  Note The Integrity Commissioner determines the appropriate process in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

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  Who will be notified

  If the person named is a Council member or Advisory Board member, they will be notified and the complaint proceeds under the Code.

  Note Individuals not subject to the Code are not notified when a submission is rejected as outside jurisdiction.

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  You cannot submit a complaint by email

  Complaints must be submitted using the online complaint form.

  Note Complaints submitted by email or other means are not reviewed or assessed.

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  How the Integrity Commissioner will communicate with you

  The Integrity Commissioner communicates with complainants and respondents by email using the contact information in the complaint form.

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  Submitting a complaint doesn’t mean a breach has occurred

  Submitting a complaint doesn’t mean that a breach of the Code of Conduct has occurred.

  Complaints must first be assessed under the procedures set out in the Code.

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  Confidentiality of your complaint

  The complaint process is governed by the confidentiality and notice provisions in the Code of Conduct and applicable privacy legislation. Information is shared only as required under the Code.