The Council Code of Conduct established under By-Law 34-19 helps to ensure that members of Council engage and debate using acceptable conduct. These standards should serve to enhance public confidence that the Township's elected representatives conduct Council business in a civil and courteous manner.
Accountability and Transparency
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The Township of Scugog provides a variety of critical services in our community. We want to make sure that our actions are accountable and transparent. The Township strives to ensure that it is responsible to its residents and stakeholders and accountable for its actions or inactions. The Township encourages resident participation in order to foster an atmosphere of openness in all decision-making.
Conflicts Registry
The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act endorses the following principles in relation to the duties of members of councils and of local boards under this Act:
- The importance of integrity, independence and accountability in local government decision-making.
- The importance of certainty in reconciling the public duties and pecuniary interests of members.
- Members are expected to perform their duties of office with integrity and impartiality in a manner that will bear the closest scrutiny.
- There is a benefit to municipalities and local boards when members have a broad range of knowledge and continue to be active in their own communities, whether in business, in the practice of a profession, in community associations, and otherwise.
In accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, the Municipal Clerk maintains a Declaration of Interest Registry, which is a record of each time a Member of Council declares an interest at a Standing Committee meeting or at a Council meeting. Click here to view the Township of Scugog's Conflicts Registry.
Code of Conduct
If you believe that a member of Council has breached the Code of Conduct, you may request an investigation by the Township's Integrity Commissioner,
- Council Code of Conduct Complaint Procedure (PDF)
- Council Code of Conduct Complaint Form (PDF)
- Municipal Conflict of Interest Complaint Form (PDF)
Complete the Council Code of Conduct Formal Complaint Form, and bring it to the Office of the Clerk at the Township of Scugog Municipal Office located at 181 Perry Street, Port Perry.
Individuals that participate in programs, meet with staff to conduct business or attend a municipal facility for transactional needs like paying taxes or a parking ticket are all subject to an expectation of good behaviour. As such, council approved a Citizen Code of Conduct. If poor behaviour occurs a warning will be provided and subsequent action may be taken such as banning an individual from entering a facility or participating in programming at the discretion of the Township.
Boards and Advisory Committees Code of Conduct
Any individual who has identified or witnessed behaviour or activity by a member of a board or advisory committee that appears to be in contravention of the Boards and Advisory Committees Code of Conduct may make a request (the "Complaint") that the matter be formally reviewed. Every Complaint shall be made in writing on the prescribed Complaint Form, submitted to the Office of the Clerk, Township of Scugog Municipal Office, 181 Perry Street, Port Perry.
The Township of Scugog's Integrity Commissioner, Principles Integrity as appointed by Council pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001, is responsible for:
- Advising Council members of their duties under the Council Code of Conduct established under By-law 36-22.
- Telling the public about the Code of Conduct and Council members' roles under the Code.
- Deciding whether to investigate complaints about Council members' conduct.
- Making recommendations if there is an investigation.
Principles Integrity Contact Information:
Administrative Office Address: 30 Haddon Street, Toronto ON M5M 3M9
E-mail: postoffice@principlesintegrity.org
Telephone: 647-259-8697
The Municipal Ombudsman investigates concerns about Township services and administrative unfairness. We recommend that you speak to the department responsible for the service if you are unhappy with the quality of service you received.
Prior to sending a formal complaint to the Ombudsman, residents shall follow Scugog's complaint process. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal complaint process, you may then file a complaint with the Municipal Ombudsman.
The Township uses the services of the Ontario Ombudsman.
The Closed Meeting Investigator is responsible for investigating complaints about the conduct of closed meetings of Council, Committee and local boards.
Learn more about closed meetings.
Declaration of Interest Registry
In accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, the Municipal Clerk maintains a Declaration of Interest Registry, which is a record of each time a Member of Council declares an interest at a Standing Committee or at a Council meeting. The Registry contains links to the Member’s Declaration of Interest as well as a link to the minutes for the meeting. The Conflict Registry is available at the Council and Committee Calendar page.
Archived registrations, prior to May, 2020, are available by contacting the Clerk’s Office.
The original registry is available for public inspection in the Clerk’s Office at the Township of Scugog, 181 Perry Street, Port Perry, Ontario from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An appointment is required.
Contact Us
Township of Scugog
181 Perry Street
PO Box 780
Port Perry, ON L9L 1A7
Email Us
905-985-7346