Chatham-Kent soon could have a new integrity commissioner.
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Staff recommends SC Consulting be appointed for a two-year period, plus two one-year extensions, if desired by both parties, according to a report released Thursday. The matter goes to council Monday night.
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Current commissioner Mary Ellen Bench, whose term began in 2019 and ends Nov. 26, was among seven unsuccessful bidders for the post. She will complete any calls and complaints received before her term ends, the report said.
The Municipal Act authorizes municipalities to set a conduct code for members of council, its committees and local boards, and to name an independent integrity commissioner who reports to council.
Chatham-Kent adopted a code of conduct for council members in 2019.
The purpose of the integrity commissioner is to provide:
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- Advice and opinion to council members.
- Independent complaint prevention, investigation, adjudication and resolution to council members and the public.
- Education on adherence to the conduct code and other procedures, rules and policies governing ethical behavior.
The commissioner also has power to independently investigate complaints about whether the municipality has complicated with procedures for closed council meetings.
SC Consulting is a professional consultant that since 2008 has served as integrity commissioner, closed meeting investigator, lobbyist registrar and provided general ethics, governance and human rights training to more than 30 municipal organizations, the report said.
Suzanne Craig, who runs the firm, is an expert in municipal and provincial regulations, statutes and codes of conduct.
She has conducted investigations, provided education sessions and assisted in policy development about municipal codes of conduct, workplace harassment and discrimination, closed meetings and human rights.
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