Accountability and Transparency

Norfolk County's Council and committees are responsible for policy, representation, oversight, legislation, and budget management and must adhere to principles of integrity, transparency, accountability, respect, and fairness.

On this page

• Purpose and function of Council
• Council’s Procedural By-Law
• Accountability and Transparency Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Integrity Commissioner
• Closed Meeting Investigator
• Council Handbook

Purpose and function of Council

The Mayor is the head of Council and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation of Norfolk County. The Mayor presides over Council meetings and is a member of Council-in-Committee. The Mayor interacts continually with Councillors, the municipal administration, community agencies and citizens. As head of Council, the Mayor is also the chief spokesperson on intergovernmental discussions with other municipalities and provincial and federal governments.

Norfolk County Council consists of 9 elected officials. Council is the governing and legislative body for the municipality. Council approves policies and authorizes the raising of revenue and expenditures for the provision of services.

Council’s Procedural By-Law

Norfolk County's Procedural By-Law 2022-136 governs the procedures of Council and its committees, including the calling of meetings and the conduct of its members.

Accountability and Transparency Policy

The Accountability and Transparency Policy outlines how Norfolk County will ensure that it is accountable to the public for its actions and that they are transparent to the public. The policy provides guidance on how Norfolk County ensures municipal governance is conducted accountable and transparently, emphasizing openness, ethics, performance outcomes, and fiscal responsibility.

Code of Conduct

A written code of conduct helps ensure that Council and local board members agree on a common standard of acceptable conduct.

These standards are designed to provide a reference guide and a supplement to the legislative parameters with which the members must operate. These standards shall enhance public confidence that Norfolk County’s elected and appointed representatives operate based on integrity, justice, and courtesy.

• Code of Conduct (for Norfolk County Employees)
• Council Code of Conduct By-Law
• Council Staff Relations Policy
• Roles and Responsibilities of Council and Staff Policy
• Respectful Workplace and Violence Prevention Policy

Integrity Commissioner

Council has appointed Boghosian+Allen LLP as the Integrity Commissioner for Norfolk County.

The role of the Integrity Commissioner is to help ensure that Members perform their functions in accordance with the Code of Conduct and other procedures, rules or policies governing their ethical behaviour. In addition, the Integrity Commissioner may, upon request of Council or a Member, provide advice and rulings on ethical challenges, issues and dilemmas, as set out in section 5 of By-law 2018-33, being the Office of Integrity Commissioner and Process for Hearing Complaints By-law. The Integrity Commission is also responsible for investigating complaints and providing a report about their investigation to Norfolk County Council.

A refundable $150.00 fee is required upon filing a Complaint. The fee will be refunded to the Complainant when the Integrity Commissioner files their report; however, if a Complaint is found to be frivolous, vexatious, or not made in good faith, the fee will not be refunded. A Complainant may withdraw their Complaint and receive a refund of the fee.

For further information respecting the Code of Conduct or submitting a complaint to the Integrity Commissioner, please contact the Clerks Department at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 1228 or email clerks@norfolkcounty.ca.

To file a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner

Please review the County’s Office of Integrity Commissioner and Process for Hearing Complaints By-law.

Complaints must be submitted as outlined in Clause 6:

• submitted on the prescribed Complaint to Integrity Commissioner Form (Appendix A) (PDF);
• submitted directly to the Acting County Clerk, Tracey Rodrigues;
• include a $150.00 refundable filing fee (please review Clause 8 for information related to the fee refund terms).

We encourage individuals to review the entire by-law for information purposes.

Contact the county clerk with any inquiries related to this process. Please email clerks@norfolkcounty.ca.

Closed Meeting Investigator

The Ontario Ombudsman promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector by investigating public complaints and systemic issues within his jurisdiction.

The Ontario Ombudsman serves as Norfolk County’s Closed Meeting Investigator. If you wish to file a complaint regarding a Closed Meeting of Council, you may contact the Ontario Ombudsman at:

Ombudsman Ontario – General Complaints:
Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
483 Bay Street
10th floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON M5G 2C9

You may also submit a complaint online at ombudsman.on.ca/have-a-complaint.

Council Handbook

The Council Handbook will be updated periodically and may not reflect the latest legislation (new or amended) or other governance instruments. Where issues might require legal or other professional assistance, a competent professional should be consulted.