Code of Conduct

York Regional Council adopted the Council Code of Conduct (Code) for Members of Council on April 18, 2019. The Council Code of Conduct ensures Members of Council share a common basis and understanding for acceptable conduct.

Integrity Commissioner

Principles Integrity is the Region’s Integrity Commissioner. The Integrity Commissioner supports the Region’s ethical framework by providing advice and education on the Code of Conduct and related policies, procedures, protocols and rules relating to the ethical conduct of Members of Council. The Integrity Commissioner also provides advice and education on matters related to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Where it is in the public interest to do so, the Integrity Commissioner will conduct inquiries in response to a complaint regarding whether a Member has contravened the Code of Conduct, Regional policies, procedures, protocols and rules relating to their ethical conduct, or section 5, 5.1, or 5.2 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

About Principles Integrity

Principles Integrity is operated by two experienced municipal legal professionals, Janice Atwood-Petkovski and Jeffrey Abrams. Mr. Abrams was called to the Bar in 1985, Ms. Atwood-Petkovski was called to the Bar in 1987, and between them have considerable experience as municipal lawyers, clerks and governance experts.

In 2017, Mr. Abrams and Ms. Atwood-Petkovski formed Principles Integrity, a partnership focused on accountability and governance matters for municipalities. The firm acts as Integrity Commissioner for more than 40 Ontario municipalities.

Principles Integrity Contact Information:

  • Administrative Office Address: 30 Haddon Street, Toronto ON M5M 3M9
  • Email: @email
  • Telephone: 647-259-8697

Complaint Procedure

Informal Complaint Procedure

Any person or representative of an organization who has identified or witnessed behaviour or an activity by a Member of Council that they believe is in contravention of the Code or the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act may first wish to address the prohibited behaviour or activity themselves as follows:

  1. Advise the Member that the behaviour or activity contravenes the Code
  2. Encourage the Member to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity
  3. Keep a written record of the incidents including dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information
  4. If applicable, confirm to the Member your satisfaction with the response of the Member; or, if applicable, advise the Member of your dissatisfaction with the response
  5. Consider the need to pursue the matter in accordance with the formal complaint procedure, or in accordance with another applicable judicial or quasi-judicial process

All persons and organizations are encouraged to initially pursue this informal complaint procedure as a means of stopping and remedying a behaviour or activity that is prohibited by the Code.

Formal Complaint Procedure

A request for an investigation that a Member has contravened the Code of Conduct shall be sent directly to the Integrity Commissioner via email by completing the following complaint form. Pages 9 and 10 of the Code of Conduct for Members of Council outline what should be included in the complaint.

Send the completed form and any additional pages to Principles Integrity at: [email protected]