Integrity Commissioner With Bought Integrity

Integrity Commissioner With Bought Integrity B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States An integrity commissioner is a municipal accountability officer responsible for upholding ethical standards and addressing misconduct within local government. They are tasked with applying the rules governing the conduct of municipal council members and local boards, including codes of conduct, and providing advice and education on those rules. This would normally sound great. WRONG - As in many cases municipal so called ‘INTEGRITY’ Commissioners are paid by the municipality they are to investigate. Therefore, guess the outcome of most of their “INTEGRITY” commissioner decisions. Like the old saying, “DON’T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU”, well it could not be ever more true in this scenario. They don’t. Here's a more detailed look at their role: - Investigating complaints: - Integrity commissioners investigate alleged breaches of codes of conduct and other relevant policies. Providing advice and education: They offer guidance and training to council members, local board members, and the public on ethical conduct and related legislation. Resolving disputes: They work to resolve conflicts and complaints related to potential ethical violations, either through informal resolution or formal investigation. Wow, that sound like the ultimate in accountability and transparency tool for anyone requiring and expecting some sort of governing body over your municipal government. WELL WRONG - In many if not most cased. These “Integrity Commissioners” favor the municipality that pays their bill and keeps them coming. Therefore the intent and purpose is lost in the wash. There is no integrity or point of law. But their decision can possibly affect someone pay, career and or mental health. Their decision is biding through sophisticated policy and by-law. In other words. You complain. You get reprimanded. You don’t pull your political weight. You may be persecuted. In other words. The so call tool to keep municipalities in check has been weaponized against anyone stepping out of political line and complains about the status quo. What is the role of the integrity Commission? To combat corruption through the development, implementation and enforcement of Anti-Corruption legislation, policy and initiatives, through our highly competent staff and efficient systems, processes and procedures. Is this not a kicker.... He who is entrusted to maintain fair play is the one that is most legally corrupt. Think about this. These commissioners do not need any special training. No real background. Just the basic understanding of municipal policy. Who can act as a commissioner in Ontario? A notary public has all the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits and, can verify that signatures, marks and copies of documents are true or genuine. Notaries are governed under the Notaries Act . Every lawyer and paralegal in Ontario is also automatically a commissioner for taking affidavits. In another word. Anyone with a legal shingle. Anyone that is willing to play along with the munciipalities agenda. Why is it that anything government comes up to make them accountable to the people. Through policy and bylaw they turn it into a tool against the people. Don’t believe file a complaint against members of any council and see the outcome. Look at the fiasco taking place in Pickering against one of their own. The integrity commission in my opinion should be jailed for failure of duty and public theft or corruption.