We provide a variety of important services in our community and we want to make sure that our actions are accountable and transparent. We strive to ensure that we are responsible to our residents and stakeholders and held accountable for our actions or inactions. We encourage resident participation in order to foster an atmosphere of openness in all decision-making.
The Council Code of Conduct helps to ensure that members of Council engage and debate using acceptable conduct. These standards should serve to enhance public confidence that the elected representatives conduct Council business in a civil and courteous manner.
To enhance public trust, we have established a system of checks and balances. Council has appointed 3 accountability officers to independently investigate matters about closed meetings, the conduct of Council members and municipal services.
Integrity Commissioner |
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The Municipality of Lambton Shores is committed to open, transparent government. As part of that commitment and as required under the Municipal Act, Council has appointed an Integrity Commissioner. The Integrity Commissioner is required to perform their assigned duties in an impartial and independent manner, and reports directly to Council. Duties of the Integrity Commission
Council has appointed Robert Swayze has the Integrity Commission of Lambton Shores. Robert J. Swayze Phone: 519-942-0070 |
Closed Meeting Investigator |
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Under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, any individual may request that an investigation be undertaken to determine whether a municipality or local board has complied with the Municipal Act or its Procedure By-law in respect of a meeting or part of a meeting that was closed to the public. The Municipality of Lambton Shores has appointed the Ontario Ombudsman as the Municipality's Closed Meeting Investigator. Upon receipt of a Closed Meeting complaint, the Ontario Ombudsman will conduct an investigation to determine if topics discussed during Closed Session meetings were in violation of the Municipal Act. When can a meeting be closed to the Public? Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended states that a part of a meeting may be closed to the public under the following circumstances:
Do you have a concern? 1. Contact the Clerk's Department to see if they are able to answer your question or concern. 2. Contact the Ombudsman and complete their Have A Complaint form. |
Municipal Ombudsman |
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The Municipal Ombudsman investigates concerns about municipal services and administrative unfairness. We recommend that you speak to the department responsible for the service if you are unhappy with the quality of services you received. If your concerns have not been addressed or resolved informally, residents must follow our internal form compliant process before sending a complaint to the Ombudsman. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal complaint process, you may then file a complaint with the Municipal Ombudsman. |
Public Registry of Pecuniary Interest
Effective January 2018, Section 5.1 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (MCIA) requires Members of Council to file a written statement after disclosure of any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in relation to a matter being considered by Council. A pecuniary interest is one where there is a reasonable likelihood or expectation of financial loss or gain by the member or related persons as defined in the MCIA.
Municipalities are required to maintain a registry of all declarations made by Members of Council pursuant to the Act. The registry must include the original written declaration and be available to the public.
| Declaration of Pecuniary Interest Registry |
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As per Section 6.1 (1) of the MCIA, every municipality and local board shall establish and maintain a registry. As per 6.1 (2), the registry shall be available for public inspection in the manner and during the time that the municipality or local board determines. The registry will be posted below and contain each declaration. |
Freedom of Information and Privacy
The Municipality of Lambton Shores is committed to ensuring that personal information is collected and handled responsibly and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56. The information below summarizes the privacy policy and practices of the Corporation of the Municipality of Lambton Shores' website.
Why is personal information collected? |
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There are a number of reasons a municipality may collect personal information including:
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Filing a request |
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The Municipality works to ensure compliance with all applicable legislation and conducts the collection, retention, disclosure and destruction of personal information in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We collect only the minimum amount of personal information needed and use it only for the purpose for which it is collected. Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Request Form The Municipality does not sell or rent such personal information. Occasionally, the Municipality may be required to disclose the information to outside parties (e.g. law enforcement activities, emergency situations). |
Correspondence to Council |
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Individuals who submit letters and other information to Council should be aware that any personal information contained within their communications may become part of the public record and may be made available through the Council Agenda process and posted on the municipal website. |
Disclaimer |
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Municipal Social Media Sites and Web pages (the “Sites”) are intended to be accessible by a public audience. A person who "posts" content to a Site is referred to herein as a Poster. Postings are subject to the policies of the social media platform which operates the Site or page and also, where not in conflict, to the policies of the Municipality. By posting comments, photos, videos or other content to one or more of the Sites, the Poster represents that the Poster owns or has the right to post such content and intends to make that content public. Public content is available to anyone who uses the social media platform and others (via online search engines, application program interfaces, and other forms of media, such as television and magazines). Information specifically collected as part of an official Municipal public engagement exercise will be kept in accordance with the Municipal Records Retention By-law 48 of 2002. The Municipality may, at its sole discretion, use content posted to a Site for any purpose. Posters and other persons use the web, social platforms and the Sites at their own risk. The Municipality is not responsible for any loss or damages suffered by a person who uses a Site or a link contained on a site. View the complete policy document Social Media Policy. |
Useful Resources
The following are by-laws, policies, and procedures that ensure we are transparent in our operations and residents are aware of how decisions are made and carried out:
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