Integrity commissioner handled 32 complaints and recommended 16 sanctions in 2024–2025
RIDEAU LAKES — Rideau Lakes Township committee of the whole received, for information only, the annual report from Integrity Commissioner Ellen Fry at its Jan. 26 meeting.
The report covers the period from Oct. 17, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025, and outlines a high volume of complaints and investigations involving members of council with over $50,000 in fees incurred.
During that period, the integrity commissioner received 32 complaints. Of those, 30 were Code of Conduct complaints and two were made under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Twenty-one Code of Conduct complaints proceeded to full investigation. Nineteen of those investigations resulted in findings that councillors had contravened the township’s Code of Conduct, while two complaints were dismissed with no contravention found. Seven complaints were not accepted for investigation, and two were withdrawn before investigations were completed.
Sanctions or remedies were recommended in 16 of the 19 Code of Conduct contraventions. Those included 11 formal apologies, four remuneration penalties, and one reprimand. In three cases where a contravention was found, no penalty was recommended.
The two Municipal Conflict of Interest Act complaints were assessed by the integrity commissioner as likely contraventions. However, because only a judge can rule on MCIA matters, no court application was pursued. The report notes that any violation, if confirmed by a court, would likely be considered minor.
In addition to complaint investigations, the integrity commissioner handled two requests for advice and six general inquiries related to the Code of Conduct.
Total fees billed for integrity commissioner services during the reporting period amounted to $50,262.40, including HST. The report notes that some costs related to matters not accepted for investigation or advisory work will be reflected in the next annual report.
The report was formally received by committee without comment or questions from councillors.
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Rideau Lakes news.
For all Rideau Lakes council and committees meetings, visit their website.
