The Public Record reported, Ontario’s Ombudsman Paul Dubé has denounced the City of Hamilton’s practice of charging a $100 fee to file a complaint to Hamilton’s Integrity Commissioners when a person believes there has been a violation of Council’s Code of Conduct.

Dubé wrote City Council on January 12, 2022, calling on Council to remove the fee “as it penalizes complainants for exercising their statutory rights, and may prevent legitimate complaints from being brought forward due to concerns about financial cost.”

Amherstburg’s fee to complain about elected officials’ conduct is the highest in Essex County. Codes ofConduct and Complaint Procedures differ; some complainants directly contact the Integrity Commissioner.

Amherstburg: Bruce Elman
Code of Conduct
A request for an investigation of a complaint that a member has contravened the Code of Conduct (the “complaint”) shall be filed with the Municipal Clerk with the accompanying $125.00 deposit. Once filed, the Clerk will send the complaint directly to the Integrity Commissioner by mail, E-mail, fax or courier in the form attached to this Protocol as Schedule “A”. 

County of Essex: a Complaint shall be made in writing and shall be sent directly to the Integrity Commissioner by mail, e-mail, fax or courier. County Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze
Code of Conduct 

Essex: A complaint shall be made in writing and shall be sent directly to the Integrity Commissioner by mail, e-mail, fax or courier. no fee. Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze
Code of Conduct

Kingsville: directly to the Municipality’s Integrity Commissioner or to the Clerk of the Town in a sealed envelope. Integrity Commissioner Mary Ellen Bench. There is a $100 refundable fee, payable to the Town of Kingsville, to submit a complaint.  The fee will be refunded if the Integrity Commissioner determines that the complaint is not frivolous or vexatious.
Code of Conduct

LaSalle: contact the Municipality’s Integrity Commissioner. Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze
Code of Conduct

Lakeshore: The Complainant may submit the complaint to the Integrity Commissioner by email, mail (marked confidential and in care of the Clerk) or personal delivery, along with any relevant documents or other evidence in support of the complaint. Integrity Commissioner Principles Integrity
Code of Conduct includes a paragraph on social media.

Leamington: Return the completed form and affidavit to ADR Chambers Inc. by: email, fax or mail. Integrity Commissioner ADR Chambers Inc., Toronto, ON
Code of Conduct includes a section on social media

Tecumseh:
email form to Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze.
Code of Conduct

Windsor: The complaint should be forwarded to: Principles Integrity, Toronto, ON
Complaint Protocol