Council Receives Positive Feedback from Integrity Commissioner

Last night, Owen Sound Council received a deputation from Janice Atwood-Petkovski, Co-Principle with Principles Integrity, the City’s Integrity Commissioner. The deputation was an overview of their annual report submitted to Council.

The annual report outlined their role in the following areas:

• Education and training on the Code of Conduct to Council as part of its post-election orientation
• Advice to all Members of Council and their staff where applicable (13 advice requests were submitted during the time period)
• Complaint investigation and resolution (only one complaint was submitted during the time period and concluded with a disposition letter)

Atwood-Petkovski noted that the public rightly demands the highest standard from those who serve them. The practical effect of achieving this objective is increased trust, respect and engagement in municipal affairs. She noted that they look forward to continuing to work with Members of Owen Sound’s Council to ensure a strong ethical framework and embrace the opportunity to elevate Members’ familiarity with their obligations under the Code and to respond to emerging issues. We congratulate Council for its aspirational objective to strive to meet that standard.

Members of Council look forward to continuing to work with the Integrity Commissioner to ensure the existence of robust and effective policies, procedures, and mechanisms and to ensure integrity and accountability in all municipal affairs.

To read the full report from Principles Integrity, click here.

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• Integrity Commissioners serve as independent resources, coaches, and guides, focused on enhancing the municipality’s ethical culture.
• Ensuring accountability and transparency is one of Council’s roles under section 224 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act).
• Read more about Accountability and Transparency on the City’s website.

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