Accountability and Transparency

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. Integrity Commissioners 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 Formal Complaint Form

Alternatively you may print the form, complete and mail to:

Charles Harnick
c/o ADR Chambers
2001 Sheppard Avenue East
Suite 200
North York, ON M2J 4Z8

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.

2025 Declared Conflicts of Interest

Councillor/Board Member	Meeting	Agenda Item and Subject Matter	Date Declared	Reasoning
E. Finn	March 27, 2025 – Committee of Adjustment	Item 3.1.2 COA2025-025 File Number: D20-2025-012 171 Sunset Beach Road	March 27, 2025	“I own property on Head Lake where subject property of application is located."
E. Yeo	March 27, 2025	Item 3.1.2 File Number: D20-2025-012 171 Sunset Beach Road	March 27, 2025	“I declared a pecuniary interest because I was the applicant of the agenda item 3.1.2.”
M. Barkwell	July 9, 2025 – Planning Advisory Committee	Item 3.3.2 Report PLAN2025-042	July 9, 2025	“The ... owner of 155 Monarch Road is ... family association."
E. Yeo	July 22, 2025	Item 10.2 Request for Support Funding Mechanisms for a Clinic at the Summit Wellness Centre	July 22, 2025	“Deputant is family association.”

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”
J. Willock	November 27, 2024 – Planning Advisory Committee	Item 3.1 Report PLAN2024-066 File Number: D06-2024-019	November 27, 2024	“Applicant is a client of our office”

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:

Investigation Report IC-16215-0422 (Submitted to City Council on May 17, 2022)
Investigation Report IC-14166-0621 (Submitted to City Council on March 22, 2022)

Kawartha Lakes
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337