Accountability and Transparency

Complaints & Feedback

You may provide feedback to us by fax, mail, e-mail, phone, in person or online.

If you have a complaint that you feel has not been resolved by the Town, you may contact the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario. The Provincial Ombudsman's Office serves as the Ombudsman for the Town of Ajax.

Council Code of Conduct

All members of Ajax Council must follow the Council Code of Conduct. Additionally, members of the Town's local boards must follow the Local Boards Code of Conduct.

If you believe a member of Council or a local board member has contravened their Code of Conduct, you may complete a Code of Conduct Complaint Form and submit it to the Town's appointed Integrity Commissioner, who may choose to investigate the matter (see information below). For information on how Code of Conduct complaints are reviewed, please refer to the Integrity Commissioner Complaints & Inquiries Procedures. 

Gifts and Benefits

In accordance witn Section 10 of the Council Code of Conduct, Members shall file a disclosure statement when they have received or accepted a reportable gift or benefit greater than $500.00 from a single source during a calendar year.

Conflict of Interest

Members of Ajax Council and members of the Town's local boards must follow the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (the MCIA). The Town of Ajax Pecuniary Interest Declaration Registry lists all declarations of pecuniary interest filed by members of Council and local boards as of March 1, 2019.

If you believe a member of Council or a local board has contravened the MCIA, you may complete an MCIA Complaint Form and submit it to the Town's appointed Integrity Commissioner, who may choose to investigate the matter (see information below), or you may apply directly to the Superior Court of Justice for consideration by a judge. For information on how MCIA complaints are reviewed, please refer to the Integrity Commissioner Complaints & Inquiries Procedures.

Closed Meetings of Council & Local Boards

Under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, meetings of Council and local boards may be closed to the public if Council is discussing certain subjects that are sensitive in nature.

If you believe that a meeting of Council or a local board was unlawfully closed to the public, you may submit a request for a closed meeting investigation to the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario.

Freedom of Information

To request access to records or information that is not generally available, you may submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

You may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario to appeal a decision by the Town to release or not release records through an FOI.

Integrity Commissioner

The Integrity Commissioner receives complaints about violations of the Council Code of Conduct, the Local Boards Code of Conduct, and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Ajax Council has appointed Aird & Berlis LLP as the Town's Integrity Commissioner.

In addition to receiving and potentially investigating complaints under the Codes of Conduct and the MCIA, the Integrity Commissioner also provides advice, education and information to members of Council and local boards regarding their obligations under the Code of Conduct and the MCIA.

If you believe a member of Council or a local board has contravened their Code of Conduct or the MCIA, please complete a Code of Conduct Complaint Form or MCIA Complaint Form and submit it to the Integrity Commissioner, who may choose to investigate the matter. For information on how complaints are reviewed, please refer to the Integrity Commissioner Complaints & Inquiries Procedures.

Contact Information: Integrity Commissioner - Town of Ajax

Meghan Cowan (sher/her)

Aird & Berlis LLP

Email: mcowan@airdberlis.com

Tel:     416.865.4722

Ombudsman's Office

The Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario investigates complaints about municipal services and activities, and whether meetings of Council or its local boards have been properly closed to the public. The Ombudsman will only look into your complaint if you have already explored all other means of complaint resolution first.

Other Accountability & Transparency Information

• Council Expense Reports
• Powers and duties delegated by Council