Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content
  • myStratford

City of Stratford Logo

Contact Us
  • Visit Us
    • Parking
    • Public Restrooms
    • Destination Stratford
  • Live Here
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Britannia Street Housing Project
    • Cemetery
    • Children's Resources
    • Climate Change
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • EarlyON Perth County
    • Education
    • Emergency Services
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Garbage Collection
    • Heritage Stratford
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Parking
    • Pet Ownership
    • Property Taxes
    • Public Health
    • Social Services
    • Stratford Naturally
    • Stratford Police Services
    • Transportation
    • Utilities
    • Wastewater
    • Water
    • Wildlife
    • Senior's Resources
  • Play Here
    • Community Organizations
    • COVID-19 Return to Activity
    • Digital Advertising
    • Facilities
    • Parks & Forestry
    • Recreation Programs
    • Register for Programs
    • Sports Wall of Fame
    • Upcoming Events
  • Do Business
    • investStratford
    • Available Properties
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Business Licensing
    • Community Profile
    • Our Industries
    • Stratford Perth Centre for Business
  • Inside City Hall
    • A to Z Services
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Accessibility
    • Advisory Committees
    • Animal Control
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Awards
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget
    • By-laws
    • City Council
    • Contact Us
    • Cooper Block
    • Departments
    • Employment
    • Market Square
    • Mayor
    • Municipal Accommodation Tax
    • Municipal Elections
    • News & Public Notices
    • Other Reports & Publications
    • Privacy Statement
    • Proposed Municipal Boundary Adjustment
    • Strategic Priorities
    • Terms of Use
    • Tom Patterson Theatre
    • Website Feedback
HomeInside City HallAccountability and Transparency

Accountability and Transparency

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via Pinterest Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Inside City Hall

The Municipal Act, 2001 (the ‘Act’), as amended,  provides municipalities with greater autonomy but also mandates the implementation of various accountability and transparency measures.

The City of Stratford is committed to conducting business in an open, transparent and accountable manner, and has embedded these principles within our various policies, practices and procedures.  We make every effort to provide you and the community with as much information as possible.

Municipal Act Policies
Section 270 of the Act provides that municipalities must develop and maintain various policies regarding the accountability and transparency of municipal government and its operations. The following have been adopted by Council and are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance:
  • Accountability and Transparency
  • Delegation of Authority By-law
  • Council Staff Relations
  • Hiring of Employees
  • Procurement of Goods and Services
  • Public Notice
  • Sale and Disposition of Land
  • Private Tree Preservation By-law
  • Pregnancy and Parental Leave for Members of Council
Code of Conduct for members of Council and Local Boards and the Integrity Commissioner

The Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards was adopted by Council to:

  • establish a common basis for the ethical behaviour of Members of Council and Local Boards, and
  • increase public confidence by making a commitment to operate with integrity, justice and courtesy.

Council appointed an Integrity Commissioner to address the application of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council and Local Boards. The Integrity Commissioner has the power to deal with requests to investigate suspected contraventions of the Code of Conduct.

In addition to conducting formal Code of Conduct investigations, the Integrity Commissioner also serves as an advisor on appropriate conduct to individual Members of Council or Council as a whole.

Code of Conduct Complaint Procedure

Informal Complaint Process:

Before a formal complaint is filed, individuals who have witnessed any behaviour or activity by a Member that is or appears to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct may complete the informal complaint process as noted below:

  1. advise the Member that their behaviour or activity is unacceptable and appears to contravene the Code of Conduct;
  2. encourage the Member to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity;
  3. if applicable, confirm to the Member your satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the Member’s response to the concern identified;
  4. keep a written record of the incidents including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information, including any steps taken to resolve the matter;
  5. if the complainant is not satisfied with the response received through the informal process, an individual may proceed with a formal complaint through the formal complaint process set out below.

Formal Complaint Process:

Complaint forms shall be filed with the Integrity Commissioner for classification to determine if the matter is a complaint with respect to non-compliance with the Code of Conduct and not covered by any other applicable legislation or City policies. To file a formal complaint, please complete either the printable or fillable version below and email it to robert.swayze39@gmail.com.

To complete a form, please choose either the printable or fillable version below:

Complaint Form - Fillable

Complaint Form - Printable 

All formal complaints must be made in writing, be signed by an individual and include:

  • the member to whom the complaint relates;
  • the nature of the alleged contravention;
  • the specifics of the Code allegedly contravened;
  • the date, time and location of the alleged contravention 
  • names of any witnesses to the alleged contravention; and
  • written material in support of the alleged contravention.

Upon receipt of a complaint or request for inquiry, the Integrity Commissioner shall first determine if it is within their jurisdiction and whether there is a procedure under other legislation or City policy to deal with the complaint. If it is determined that other procedures apply, the Integrity Commissioner shall refer the complainant to the appropriate person or agency to follow that process.

Where it has been determined that a complaint should be dealt with under another process, it will no longer be considered or dealt with by the Integrity Commissioner and the time limits described in the other processes will apply accordingly.

Upon receipt of a complaint or request to conduct an inquiry within their jurisdiction, and if the Integrity Commissioner deems the complaint or request to have merit, the Integrity Commissioner shall investigate and may attempt to resolve the complaint. The Integrity Commissioner shall report the general findings of their investigation to the complainant and the Member no later than sixty (60) days after receiving a formal complaint.

The report on the general findings shall include:

  • the nature of the complaint;
  • the Integrity Commissioner's findings regarding the limitation period if the complaint was filed after the expiry of the limitation period set out in the Code;
  • the evidence gathered;
  • the finding's of fact 
  • the Integrity Commissioner's decision, based on the findings of fact, that the Member contravened or did not contravene the Code, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, or other procedures, rules or policies.

The Integrity Commissioner will then file a report to the City Clerk for consideration by Council which will include any corrective action(s) or penalties to be considered, if there is a contravention. 

If the Integrity Commissioner is of the opinion that a complaint or request to conduct an inquiry is frivolous, vexatious, not made in good faith or that there are insufficient grounds for an inquiry, the Integrity Commissioner shall not prepare a preliminary report to Council and shall not conduct an inquiry.

Contact the Integrity Commissioner
Council has appointed Robert (Bob) Swayze as the City's Integrity Commissioner. Mr. Swayze can be contacted via e-mail at robert.swayze39@gmail.com.
Closed Meeting Investigations

Council has appointed Local Authority Services (LAS) Ltd., as the City's Closed Meeting Investigator. LAS is authorized to conduct investigations upon receipt of a complaint about a closed meeting or part of a closed meeting. The Investigator will determine compliance with the Act and/or the City's Procedural By-law.

For information on the investigator program please see the attached brochure LAS Investigator Process. If you require this document in an alternate format, please contact the Clerk's Office at 519-271-0250 Extension 5237.

A Closed Meeting Investigation Report was provided to the City by the Closed Meeting Investigator on October 20, 2022. In accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, the Closed Meeting Investigation Report will be listed for consideration at the next Regular Council meeting where Council will consider a resolution stating how it intends to address the report.

Closed Meeting Complaint Procedure

Individuals may submit complaints relating to compliance with the Municipal Act and/or the Procedural Bylaw during a closed meeting or part of a closed meeting. Section 239 of the Act outlines the instances in which a closed meeting can be held.

Complaints must be submitted in writing on the Complaint Form Municipal Investigation to the City Clerk and must contain the following information. Electronic submissions are not accepted.

  • Complainant’s name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address
  • Date of Closed Meeting in question
  • Nature and Background of the particular occurrence
  • Any activities undertaken (if any) to resolve the concern
  • Any other relevant information
  • Original signature

Complaints shall be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Private and Confidential - Complaint under Section 239 of the Act” and either delivered in person to the City Clerk’s Department on the Ground floor of City Hall, or mailed to:

City of Stratford 1 Wellington Street, P.O. Box 818, Stratford ON N5A 6W1 
Attention: City Clerk

The Clerk will forward the complaint to LAS who will conduct an assessment and, if deemed to be warranted, appoint an Investigator. The Act states that when the investigation is complete and the Investigator is of the opinion that the closed meeting should not have been closed to the public as per the Act and/or Procedural Bylaw, the Investigator must submit a report, with or without recommendations, to City Council at an open meeting.

Procedural By-law

A Procedural Bylaw was adopted by Council to establish the rules of order for Council and Committee meetings. The rules ensure a fair and consistent approach with respect to the consideration of City business. The Procedural By-law also establishes standards in relation to notice provisions, agendas and minutes, resolutions and voting, and Council-Committee structure.

Please note: the Procedural By-law is currently under review.

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest Registry
The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires Members of Council to declare any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in relation to a matter under consideration. As a result of changes to the Act, municipalities are required to maintain a registry of all declarations made under the Act. To view the registry, check out the Declaration of Pecuniary Interest Registry webpage.
Council Expenses

Members of Council are required to publicly report and publish a statement of gifts received, salary, benefits and expenses received annually.

To review the annual report prepared on the Mayor and Councillor's Renumeration and Expenses Summary, check out the Finance Reports webpage. 

Integrity Commissioner Annual Reports

2019 Annual Report

2020 Annual Report

If you require this document in an alternate format, please contact the Clerk's Office at 519-271-0250 Extension 5237.

For More Information

For more information about accountability and transparency measures, contact the Clerk’s Office at 519-271-0250 Extension 5237.

  • Accountability and Transparency
  • View Full Inside City Hall Menu
    Toggle Section
    • A to Z Services
      Toggle Section A to Z Services Menu
      • E-Services
    • Accessibility
      Toggle Section Accessibility Menu
      • Accessibility Advisory Committee
    • Advisory Committees
      Toggle Section Advisory Committees Menu
      • Accessibility Advisory Committee
      • Active Transportation Advisory Committee
      • Ad Hoc Transit Committee
      • Board of Park Management
      • Committee of Adjustment
      • Communities in Bloom Committee
      • Downtown Stratford Business Improvement Area Board of Management
      • Energy and Environment Committee
      • Heritage Stratford Committee
      • Sports Wall of Fame Committee
      • Spruce Lodge Non-Profit Housing Corporation
      • Stratfords of the World
      • Stratford Police Services Board
      • Stratford Public Library Board
      • Stratford Town And Gown Advisory Committee
      • Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
    • Animal Control
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
      Toggle Section Applications, Licenses & Permits Menu
      • Bicycle Licensing
      • Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates and Change of Name
      • Business Licence
      • Encroachments
      • Lottery Licensing
      • Marriage and Civil Ceremonies
      • Pet Ownership
      • Special Events and Municipal Alcohol Policy
      • Outdoor Special Events
    • Awards
      Toggle Section Awards Menu
      • Bronze Star Recognition Program
      • City Council Annual Recognition Awards
      • Community Leadership Awards
      • Heritage Community Recognition Award
      • June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award
      • Leading Girls Building Communities Recognition Program
      • Leading Women Building Communities Recognition Program
      • Lincoln Alexander Award
      • Long-Standing Service Program
      • Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
      • Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers
      • Ontario Newcomer Champion Award
      • Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism
      • Senior Achievement Award
      • Senior of the Year Award
      • Volunteer Service Award Program
      • Young Heritage Leaders Award
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget
      Toggle Section Budget Menu
      • 2012 Budget
      • 2012 Budget Documents
      • 2013 Budget
      • 2013 Budget Documents
      • 2014 Budget
      • 2014 Budget Documents
      • 2015 Budget
      • 2015 Budget Documents
      • 2016 Budget
      • 2016 Budget Documents
      • 2017 Budget
      • 2017 Budget Documents
      • 2018 Budget
      • 2019 Budget
      • 2020 Budget
      • 2021 Budget
      • 2022 Budget
      • 2023 Budget
    • By-laws
      Toggle Section By-laws Menu
      • Municipal By-law Enforcement
      • Smoking In Public Places
    • City Council
      Toggle Section City Council Menu
      • Agendas, Meetings & Minutes
      • Council Calendar
      • Declaration of Pecuniary Interest Registry
      • Appearing as a Delegation
      • City Council Contact
      • Collecting Personal Information
      • Community Services Sub-committee
      • Finance and Labour Relations Sub-committee
      • Planning and Heritage Sub-committee
      • Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Sub-committee
      • Social Services Sub-committee
    • Contact Us
    • Cooper Block
    • Departments
      Toggle Section Departments Menu
      • CAO & Mayor's Office
        Toggle Section CAO & Mayor's Office Menu
        • Chief Administrative Office
        • Mayor's Office
          Toggle Section Mayor's Office Menu
          • Requests and Invitations
            Toggle Section Requests and Invitations Menu
            • Request a Certificate
            • Request City Pins
      • Community Services
      • Corporate Services
        Toggle Section Corporate Services Menu
        • Clerks
          Toggle Section Clerks Menu
          • Access to Information
          • Busking
          • Commissioner of Oaths
          • Crossing Guards
          • Retail Business Holiday Act
        • Information Technology Services
        • Finance
          Toggle Section Finance Menu
          • Asset Management
          • Finance Reports
          • Payroll
          • Purchasing
          • Revenues and Taxation
      • Infrastructure & Development Services
        Toggle Section Infrastructure & Development Services Menu
        • Building
        • Planning
        • Development Engineering
        • Municipal By-law Enforcement
        • Engineering
        • Public Works
          Toggle Section Public Works Menu
          • Winter Maintenance
        • Water
      • Fire Department
      • Human Resources
        Toggle Section Human Resources Menu
        • Collective Agreements
        • Employment Opportunities
      • Social Services
        Toggle Section Social Services Menu
        • Anne Hathaway Daycare
        • Children’s Services
        • Homelessness
        • Housing
          Toggle Section Housing Menu
          • Housing Access Centre
          • Perth and Stratford Housing Corporation
        • Ontario Works
    • Employment
      Toggle Section Employment Menu
      • Recreation Program Employment
    • Market Square
    • Mayor
      Toggle Section Mayor Menu
      • Requests and Invitations
    • Municipal Accommodation Tax
    • Municipal Elections
    • News & Public Notices
      Toggle Section News & Public Notices Menu
      • News
      • Public Notices
      • Town Crier
    • Other Reports & Publications
    • Privacy Statement
    • Proposed Municipal Boundary Adjustment
    • Strategic Priorities
    • Terms of Use
    • Tom Patterson Theatre
    • Website Feedback

Contact Us

Subscribe to page updates

Stratford logo

  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Website Feedback
  • Privacy Statement

© 2019 The Corporation of the City of Stratford, P.O. Box 818, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 6W1, 519-271-0250

View our Facebook Page View our Twitter Page View our LinkedIn Page
Designed by eSolutionsGroup
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.