Regional Council appoints an Integrity Commissioner

Whitby, Ontario –

Today, Durham Regional Council approved the appointment of Guy W. Giorno as its Integrity Commissioner. Giorno, who is a representative of the law offices of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, will report directly to Regional Council from Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2021.

“Durham Regional Council strives to promote and enhance transparency and accountability; helping to ensure public confidence through the highest levels of ethical conduct and behaviour,” said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “This appointment will help to uphold public trust, integrity of governance, and the Region’s reputation as a whole.”

Under the Municipal Act, 2001, Regional Council has the authority to appoint an Integrity Commissioner who acts independently of the municipality. This individual applies the code of conduct for council members, in addition to any municipal procedures, rules and policies that govern ethical behaviour.

Council also has the authority to assign duties and functions to this person, such as receiving complaints/conducting investigations related to the code of conduct; providing advice around ethical behaviour; outlining findings and recommendations to council; and delivering an annual summary of activities.

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP was awarded the contract via a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. For an annual retainer fee of $900, Giorno will perform all initial steps to process a complaint (unless it warrants a formal investigation); and provide an annual summary of report complaints, investigations, subsequent advice, and any recommended changes to the current process. Complaints requiring a formal investigation, or any special projects requested by council (such as public meetings or other assignments), are subject to an additional hourly fee of $239.

As part of the RFP process, the Region also included a co-operative purchasing agreement, which provides all eight local area municipalities with the option to utilize this hourly service, at their own expense.

In June 2015, council asked staff to report back on the feasibility of establishing a Code of Conduct for Regional Council and the appointment of an Integrity Commissioner. In September 2016, Regional Council approved its Code of Conduct and Complaints Procedure—a by-law that will now come into effect with the appointment of this Integrity Commissioner. 

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