This City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to conducting business in an open, transparent and accountable way. We make every effort to provide you and the community with as much information as possible while protecting the privacy rights of individuals. If you cannot find what you are looking for contact the appropriate department or the Office of the City Clerk.
Integrity Commissioner
The Integrity Commissioner ensures all Members of Council follow the Code of Conduct for Members of Council and handles matters when a section of the code is violated. They are required by the Municipal Act and are responsible for performing in an independent manner the following functions:
- The application of the code of conduct for members of council and the code of conduct for members of local boards.
- The application of any procedures, rules and policies of the municipality and local boards governing the ethical behaviour of members of council and of local boards.
- The application of sections 5, 5.1 and 5.2 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to members of council and of local boards.
- Requests from members of council and of local boards for advice respecting their obligations under the code of conduct applicable to the member.
- Requests from members of council and of local boards for advice respecting their obligations under a procedure, rule or policy of the municipality or of the local board, as the case may be, governing the ethical behaviour of members.
- Requests from members of council and of local boards for advice respecting their obligations under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
- The provision of educational information to members of council, members of local boards, the municipality and the public about the municipality’s codes of conduct for members of council and members of local boards and about the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Contacting the Integrity Commissioner
Please Note: General complaints, Municipal Law Enforcement concerns, Closed Meeting Investigations, and complaints about staff are not the responsibility of the Integrity Commissioner.
Any member of the public or Council with complaints, questions, and concerns that directly relate to the function of the Integrity Commissioner (see above) must be made in writing.
Code of Conduct Complaints:
To send a Code of Conduct Complaint to the Integrity Commissioner, complete and submit using the form below:
Code of Conduct Complaint Form
Alternatively you may print the form, complete and mail to:
Charles Harnick
c/o ADR Chambers
180 Duncan Mill Road
4th Floor
Toronto, ON M3B 1Z6
Pecuniary Interest Consultations:
Members of Committees, Boards, and Council may also consult with the Integrity Commissioner on matters of pecuniary interest (conflict of interest) prior to a meeting:
Pecuniary Interest Questions for Members of Boards, Committee and Council
Kawartha Lakes Integrity Commissioner: Charles Harnick
Charles Harnick is the Integrity Commissioner for the City of Kawartha Lakes. He is an investigator, mediator, and arbitrator with ADR Chambers.
| Charles Harnick Background |
|
From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Harnick served as Attorney General of Ontario and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs. He was an elected member of the Ontario Legislature from 1990 to 1999.
Mr. Harnick is a principal at Counsel Public Affairs, one of Ontario’s pre-eminent government relations practices, and is the Senior Adjudicative Officer of the General Insurance Ombudservice, an independent service that adjudicates disputes between consumers and member insurance companies.
Mr. Harnick is responsible for the creation of the Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program and Legal Aid Ontario. He was instrumental in bringing the major legal organizations in Ontario together with paralegal organizations, culminating in legislation that has made the Law Society of Ontario the regulator of paralegal activities.
Mr. Harnick was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1992 and in 2005 he was awarded the Law Society Medal for his significant contribution to the practice of law.
Notably, Mr. Harnick was a member of the committee responsible for the inception of the Members Integrity Act, 1994. A committee that was chaired by Gregory Evans, the former Chief Justice of the High court of Ontario and Ontario’s first Integrity Commissioner.
|
Conflict of Interest Registry and Investigation Reports
The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires municipalities to create and maintain a public registry of all declarations of pecuniary interest made by Members of Council and Local Boards. Also, the Municipal Act requires that all municipalities make public any report where a member of Council or Local Board contravenes the Code of Conduct.
| 2024 Declared Conflicts of Interest |
|
Councillor/Board Member
|
Meeting
|
Agenda Item and Subject Matter
|
Date Declared
|
Reasoning
|
|
D. Joyce
|
January 16, 2024
|
Item 7.1.2
Drinking Water Quality Management System Annual Summary and Review
|
January 16, 2024
|
“Discussion of Emergency Management, Discussion of Intertek-SAI Global”
|
|
E. Yeo
|
January 30, 2024
|
Item 14.1.9
By-Law to Stop Up, Close, and Sell Part of Lot 26, Concession 8…, in the Geographic Township of Fenelon, City of Kawartha Lakes, being Parts 1, 3, and 5 on Plan 57R-11110 (31 Blue Bay Lane, Fenelon Falls)
|
January 30, 2024
|
“The by-law pertained to my sisters property being signed over to her from the municipality”
|
|
J. Willock
|
June 5, 2024 - Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 6.1
Application to amend Bobcaygeon Zoning By-law at Duke Street – Market Square Non-Profit Housing Corp.
|
May 31, 2024 and June 5, 2024
|
“The applicant has become a client of my Insurance agency since the initial application was put forward for re-zoning. I have received their permission to disclose the relationship”
|
|
M. Barkwell
|
July 10, 2024 – Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 3.2
Application to Amend the Township of Verulam Zoning By-law 6-87 at 75 St. Alban's Road, Bobcaygeon - Sia's Green Thumb Inc. c/o Patel
|
July 10, 2024
|
“I have previous financial dealings in real estate with the applicant.”
|
|
E. Finn
|
July 25, 2024 – Committee of Adjustment
|
Item 3.1.8
Report COA2024-069 File Number: D20-2024-060
Location: 52 Laxton Township 4th Line
|
July 25, 2024
|
“…Member owns property abutting Head Lake – perceived conflict of interest”
|
|
E. Finn
|
August 22, 2024 – Committee of Adjustment
|
Item 3.1.2
Report CAO2024-073 File Number: D20-2024-064
33 Douglas Drive
Part Lot 10, Concession 5
Township of Laxton
|
August 22, 2024
|
“Subject property on Head Lake. I have a property on Head Lake – appearance of conflict”
|
|
| 2023 Declared Conflicts of Interest |
|
Councillor/Board Member
|
Meeting
|
Agenda Item and Subject Matter
|
Date Declared
|
Reasoning
|
|
D. Joyce
|
Open – All meetings
|
Emergency Management
|
January 26, 2023
|
“Anything to do under the umbrella of Emergency Management, now and in the future”
|
|
E. Yeo
|
March 21, 2023
Regular Council Meeting
|
Item 9.3.14
Committee of the Whole recommendation CW2023-052
|
March 21, 2023
|
“Related to a purchaser of the property”
|
|
M. Barkwell
|
June 7, 2023
Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 3.2
Report PLAN2023-030
|
June 7, 2023
|
“I have sold some of the condominium units for MDM in Fenelon Falls and will receive commission from them upon their closing late in 2023”
|
|
M. Perry
|
June 20, 2023
Regular Council Meeting
|
Items 10.3.10 and 10.3.11
PAC Recommendations PAC2023-038 and PAC2023-039
|
June 20, 2023
|
“My children live on Richard Avenue”
|
|
T. Richardson
|
July 25, 2023
Regular Council Meeting
|
Item 15.3.2 (Closed Session)
Report CORP2023-020
|
July 25, 2023
|
“Family member part of Volunteer Fire Services”
|
|
T. Richardson
|
October 24, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
|
Item 16.3.6 (Closed Session)
Verbal Report
|
October 24, 2023
|
“Son is a volunteer firefighter in Pontypool”
|
|
E. Smeaton
|
October 24, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
|
Items 11.1.5 to11.1.8
|
October 24, 2023
|
“I work for Trillium Lakelands District School Board”
|
|
E. Smeaton
|
November 21, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
|
Items 14.1.13 to 14.1.16
|
November 21, 2023
|
“I am still employed by TLDSB”
|
|
| 2022 Declared Conflicts of Interest |
|
Councillor/Board Member
|
Meeting
|
Agenda Item and Subject Matter
|
Date Declared
|
Reasoning
|
|
K. Seymour-Fagan
|
January 25, 2022
Regular Council Meeting (Closed Session)
|
Item 16.1.2
Report RS2022-012
|
January 25, 2022
|
“The Canal Street Property, I am one of the owners”
|
|
K. Seymour-Fagan
|
March 22, 2022
Regular Council Meeting (Closed Session)
|
Item 16.3.5
Report LGL2022-008
|
March 22, 2022
|
“I recuse myself from this part of the Closed Session because there is an active investigation I am a part of with the Integrity Commissioner”
|
|
K. Seymour-Fagan
|
May 17, 2022
Regular Council Meeting (Closed Session)
|
Item 16.3.3
Report CLK2022-009
|
May 18, 2022
|
“Currently under investigation of Integrity Commissioner”
|
|
A. Veale
|
June 6, 2022 Committee of the Whole
|
Item 7.7
Report ED2022-016
|
June 6, 2022
|
“The Heritage Committee is proposing adding 124 Angus Street, Woodville to the Heritage Register, 124 Angus Street is my home.”
|
|
S. Richardson
|
May 25, 2022
Lindsay Legacy CHEST Fund Committee
|
Item 4.3
Correspondence
|
May 25, 2022
|
“I am on the executive committee for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 67”
|
|
M. Perry
|
December 13, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
|
Item 10.1.6
Report PLAN2022-076
|
December 13, 2022
|
“I am an education consultant for Women’s Resources local sex trafficking prevention program.”
|
|
| 2021 Declared Conflicts of Interest |
|
Councillor/Board Member
|
Meeting
|
Agenda Item and
Subject Matter
|
Date Declared
|
Reasoning
|
|
A. Veale
|
January 12, 2021
Committee of the Whole
|
Item 8.1
Memorandum Regarding Waiving an Encroachment Fee for the Woodville Lion's Club
|
01/12/2021
|
“I am a member of the Woodville Lions Club”
|
|
E. Yeo
|
May 20, 2021
Committee of Adjustment
|
Item 4.1.6
Report COA2021-035
|
05/20/2021
|
“I was the applicant on the file.”
|
|
M. Barkwell
|
July 14, 2021
Planning Advisory
|
Item 3.3
Report PLAN2021-040
|
07/14/2021
|
“I have represented the owner as a Realtor in the listing of this property for sale and have advised him to seek to rezone the property to attract a more diverse group of tenants for the community."
|
|
M. Barkwell
|
August 4, 2021
Planning Advisory
|
Item 6.2
Report PLAN2021-046
|
08/4/2021
|
“I have previously represented the owner in a listing agreement for the sale of the building and have currently agreed to seek a potential buyer”
|
|
J. Sanderson
|
November 17, 2021
Lindsay Legacy CHEST Committee
|
Item 5.2
2022 Application Review/ Recommendations
|
11/17/2021
|
“I have a family member employed at a business that would financially benefit from the acceptance of the application”
|
|
S. Richardson
|
November 17, 2021
Lindsay Legacy CHEST Committee
|
Item 5.2
2022 Application Review/ Recommendations
|
11/17/2021
|
“I am an executive member of the RCL Br. 67 Lindsay”
|
|
J. Oriotis
|
December 9, 2021
|
Item 5
Ops 4 Municipal Drain Section 78 Improvement
|
12/09/2021
|
“…I live and my family owns property in the catchment area of the Municipal Drain…”
|
|
| 2020 Declared Conflicts of Interest |
|
Councillor/Board Member
|
Meeting
|
Agenda Item and
Subject Matter
|
Date Declared
|
Reasoning
|
|
A. Veale
|
January 28, 2020
Regular Council Meeting
|
Item 10.3.1
Proposed Sale of A Portion of Municipally Owned Land Adjacent to Elgin Park, Lindsay
|
01/28/2020
|
“I am employed by one of the parties proposing to purchase the property in question”
|
|
S. Richardson
|
February 21, 2020
Lindsay Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Fund Committee
|
Item 4.1
Correspondence from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6.7
|
02/21/2020
|
“I am a member of the executive for the Branch and the Ladies’ Auxiliary of Branch 67”
|
|
M. Barkwell
|
August 12, 2020
Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 3.2
Application to amend Fenelon & Fenelon Falls Zoning By-law – Farley Bear Inc.
|
08/12/2020
|
“I represented the owners of Home Hardware in the purchase of an adjoining property that is part of this property seeking a change in zoning”
|
|
| 2019 Declared Conflicts of Interest |
|
Councillor/Board Member
|
Meeting
|
Agenda Item and
Subject Matter
|
Date Declared
|
Reasoning
|
|
A. Veale
|
February 12, 2019
Committee of the Whole
|
Item 6.1.2
Sale of City Owned Property – Portion of Elgin Park, Lindsay
|
02/11/2019
|
“I will be declaring a pecuniary interest in item 6.1.2 as I am employed by the business at 150 Angeline St North”
|
|
A. Veale
|
February 19, 2019
Regular Council
|
Item 12.1.6 and 12.1.7
Surplus Declaration and Sale of City Owned Property – Portion of Elgin Park
|
02/19/2019
|
“I am employed by business at 150 Angeline St. N. who currently leases the section in question, and wishes to purchase”
|
|
J. Willock
|
June 27, 2019
Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 3.2
Moore Zoning By-law Amendment
|
06/27/2019
|
“I am going to declare a conflict with Moore’s application; they are a client”
|
|
J. Willock
|
September 11, 2019
Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 3.3
Moore Zoning By-law Amendment
|
09/11/2019
|
“Relationship with Client on Application D06-2019-014”
|
|
M. Barkwell
|
October 9, 2019 Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 3.6
Muskoka D & M Corp Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments
|
10/09/2019
|
“I represent the developer of this project as the sales representative with ReMax All-Stars Brokerage Inc.”
|
|
S. Richardson
|
November 13, 2019
Lindsay Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Committee
|
Item 5.5 (8) relating to the Royal Canadian Legion
|
11/13/2019
|
“I am a member and on the Board Executive”
|
|
M. Barkwell
|
December 4, 2019 (1:00pm) Planning Advisory Committee
|
Item 3.3
Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation Zoning By-law Amendment
|
12/4/2019
|
“I represented the seller of this property to the Housing Authority”
|
|
| Integrity Commissioner Investigation Reports |
|
The following are Integrity Commissioner Investigation Reports that have been submitted to City Council:
|
