The town has appointed Robert Swayze as new integrity commissioner at $225 per hour.
CAO Nathan Hyde explained in his report that the town issued a request for proposals due to the changes stemming from Bill 68 – Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act.
The bill brought in changes to the scope of the integrity commissioner’s role with municipalities, including a councillor’s ability to obtain legal opinions about potential conflicts of interest, breaches of the code of conduct and their obligations under the ethics rules and procedures.
“Doing a review of what was proposed in the bill and in increased scope change for the integrity commissioner, staff issued an RFP and were able to come back and make a recommendation for an integrity commissioner,” said Hyde.
Swayze, a municipal lawyer from Caledon, charges $225 per hour with no retainer and no other fees. The move means the replacement of Robert Williams.
The town, which budgets $400 per year for integrity commissioner services, paid Williams an annual retainer of $300, $125 per hour and costs.
“It’s worth noting that our existing contract, it just existed in perpetuity, there’s no end date … and it never envisioned the change in scope and all of the different things that are taking place now,” said Hyde.
“So staff felt it prudent to go to market.”
Swayze also serves as integrity commissioner for Oakville, Guelph, Port Hope, Carleton Place, Mississauga, South Dundas, Sarnia, Newmarket, Wasaga Beach, Essex, Brampton and Muskoka Lakes.
Erin has decided not to opt in with Wellington County and the other six municipalities for a joint integrity commissioner, currently Guy Giorno.
Hyde said having a joint integrity commissioner could raise a conflict issue.
“Because you’ll have somebody who is too busy working on other files and then if you have people who cross-pollinate, say the mayor’s position, if there’s ever an issue, that person serves at both (councils) and an inherent conflict is built in,” he said.
Council accepted the recommendation to appoint Swayze as integrity commissioner.
