Close
Close
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.
Skip to Content

Owen Sound Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon
Contact Us
Feedback
Twitter Linked In Facebook YouTube Instagram
  • Living
    • About Owen Sound
    • Animal Services
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Building and Renovating
    • Cemeteries
    • Community Assistance and Services
    • Crossing Guards
    • COVID-19: Owen Sound Resources and Information
    • Education
    • Emergency Services and Healthcare
    • Parking
    • Places of Worship
    • Report a Concern
    • Roads
    • Seniors Services
    • Taxes and Utilities
    • Transportation
    • Waste Management
    • Sound Outlook
    Garbage and Recycling
  • Exploring
    • Arts, Culture and Heritage
    • Camping and RV
    • Downtown Improvement Area
    • Events Calendar
    • Festivals and Events
    • Getting Here
    • GIS, Maps and Apps
    • Library
    • Parks and Facilities
    • Recreation and Programs
    • Tourism
    • Webcams
    Parks and Facilities
  • Investing
    • Available Lands, Buildings
    • Building
    • Businesses
    • Business Enterprise Centre
    • Community Development
    • Development
    • Location
    • Taxes
    Building
  • City Hall
    • Accessibility
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Budget and Finance
    • By-law Enforcement
    • By-laws and Policies
    • Civil Marriages
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • Contact Us
    • Council and Committees
    • Current Projects
    • Departments and Divisions
    • Election 2018
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Freedom of Information
    • Mayor and Council
    • News and Public Notices
    • Official Plan Update
    • Property Inquiry Requests
    • Purchasing, GIS, Risk & Asset Management
    • Report a Concern
    • Reports, Studies and Plans
    • Staff Directory
    • Taxes and Utilities
    Mayor and Council
  • How Do I...
    • Apply for a Building Permit
    • Contact a Staff Member
    • Contact the Fire Department
    • Determine my Garbage Pick-up Day
    • Get a Dog or Cat Tag
    • Get Involved
    • Get Married
    • Learn About New Resident Information
    • Pay a Property Tax Bill
    • Pay a Water Bill
    • Report a Concern
  • Mayor and Council
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Boards
    • Closed Meetings
    • Committees
    • Council Meeting Highlights
    • Election
    • Grants, Funding and Non-Profit
    • Organizational Chart
  • Accessibility
  • Applications, Licences and Permits
  • Budget and Finance
  • By-law Enforcement
  • By-laws and Policies
  • Civil Marriages
  • Commissioner of Oaths
  • Contact Us
  • Council and Committees
  • Current Projects
  • Departments and Divisions
  • Election 2018
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Freedom of Information
  • News and Public Notices
  • Official Plan Update
  • Property Inquiry Requests
  • Purchasing, GIS, Risk & Asset Management
  • Report a Concern
  • Reports, Studies and Plans
  • Staff Directory
  • Taxes and Utilities

Accountability and Transparency

Show or hide navigation More
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
Home/City Hall/Mayor and Council/Accountability and Transparency

More in this Section...

Image1

Quick Links

Council's role is to ensure accountability and transparency in City Council decisions and City services.

The City of Owen Sound is committed to:

  • Public access and participation;
  • Quality services;
  • Efficient use of public money;
  • Responding to requests for service and concerns.

Municipal Act Policies

Section 270 of the Municipal Act, 2001 provides that municipalities must develop and maintain various policies regarding the accountability and transparency of municipal government and its operations.  The following policies have been adopted by Council to ensure compliance:

  • Accountability and Transparency
  • Council/Staff relations
  • Delegation of Powers and Duties
  • Hiring of Employees
  • Procurement of Goods and Services
  • Public Notice
  • Sale and Disposition of Land

Code of Conduct for Council Members

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

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

Integrity Commissioner

Municipalities are required under the Municipal Act, 2001 to provide access to an Integrity Commissioner. 
Council has appointed Principles Integrity as the Integrity Commissioner for the City of Owen Sound. 
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.

Priniciples Integrity can be contacted by phone at 1-647-259-8697 and by email at postoffice@principlesintegrity.org.

Closed Meetings

Municipalities may only have closed meetings in accordance with section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001.
The Ontario Ombudsman has been appointed as the closed meeting investigator for the City.
Upon receipt of a complaint, the Ombudsman will determine compliance with the Municipal Act and/or the City's Procedural By-law. 

Procedural By-law

A Procedural By-law 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.

Registry of Pecuniary Interest Declarations

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 and, as soon after as possible, to file a written statement of the interest and its general nature with the Clerk. 
An index of the written statements is maintained on the City's website. 
To review the written statements in their entirety, please make an appointment to visit the Clerk's Office, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 519-376-1440.
Subscribe to this Page

Contact Us


Owen Sound logo

© 2019 City of Owen Sound
808 2nd Avenue East,
Owen Sound, ON
N4K 2H4

Phone: 519-376-1440

feedback@owensound.ca

Sitemap

Designed by eSolutionsGroup
  • Living
    • About Owen Sound
    • Animal Services
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Building and Renovating
    • Cemeteries
    • Community Assistance and Services
    • Crossing Guards
    • COVID-19: Owen Sound Resources and Information
    • Education
    • View All...
  • Exploring
    • Arts, Culture and Heritage
    • Camping and RV
    • Downtown Improvement Area
    • Events Calendar
    • Festivals and Events
    • Getting Here
    • GIS, Maps and Apps
    • Library
    • Parks and Facilities
    • View All...
  • Investing
    • Available Lands, Buildings
    • Building
    • Businesses
    • Business Enterprise Centre
    • Community Development
    • Development
    • Location
    • Taxes
  • City Hall
    • Accessibility
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Budget and Finance
    • By-law Enforcement
    • By-laws and Policies
    • Civil Marriages
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • Contact Us
    • Council and Committees
    • View All...
  • How Do I...
    • Apply for a Building Permit
    • Contact a Staff Member
    • Contact the Fire Department
    • Determine my Garbage Pick-up Day
    • Get a Dog or Cat Tag
    • Get Involved
    • Get Married
    • Learn About New Resident Information
    • Pay a Property Tax Bill
    • View All...