The City of St. Catharines is committed to making sure that you are aware and informed about the decisions, actions and conduct of elected officials, staff, and members of committees, boards and task forces. Useful information is available through:
- Meeting Calendar: this calendar provides the date, time and location of upcoming Council, committee and task force meetings.
- Council Agendas: agendas provide an overview of topics that will be discussed at a meeting; meetings are listed in date order.
- Council Minutes: meeting minutes capture the Council decisions from each meeting.
Public Notice Policy
The Municipal Act requires a municipality to adopt and maintain a policy regarding the circumstances in which the municipality shall provide notice to the public and, if notice is to be provided, the form, manner and times notice shall be given.
The City's updated Public Notice Policy was approved by Council on April 29, 2024.
In accordance with the provisions contained in the Municipal Act, the City's policy sets out a list of matters for when public notice is to be given and the minimum form, manner and time for providing such notice.
Code of Conduct and Integrity Commissioner
City Council has adopted a Code of Conduct to set a high standard of conduct for the Mayor, City Councillors, and members of the City's Advisory Committees, Boards and Task Forces.
Information is provided below on how to file a Code of Conduct complaint if you believe a member has breached the Code of Conduct. Complaints are investigated by the City's Integrity Commissioner.
Integrity Commissioner
City Council has appointed ADR Chambers, Michael Maynard, as the City's Integrity Commissioner. The position is appointed by, and reports directly to, City Council. The Integrity Commissioner is responsible for:
- Advising Council, committee, and board members of their duties under the Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
- Deciding whether to investigate complaints about Members' conduct;
- Making recommendations after an investigation;
- Conducting inquiries into alleged contraventions of certain sections of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act; and
- Providing educational information to members.
How to file a Code of Conduct complaint |
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If you identify or witness behaviour or activity by a member that you believe contravenes the Code of Conduct, you are able to submit a Code of Conduct complaint. Individuals are encouraged to follow the Informal Complaint Procedure as the first means of remedying the behaviour or activity. Informal Code of Conduct ComplaintsThe Informal Complaint Procedure includes the following steps:
If both you and the member agree, the Integrity Commissioner may participate as a mediator in an informal process in an attempt to settle or resolve the issue. Formal Code of Conduct ComplaintsThe City recommends using the Informal Complaint Procedure as the first means of remedying behaviour or activity of a member that you believe violates the Code of Conduct. However, you may file a formal complaint with or without following the informal complaint procedure.
Submitting a Formal Code of Conduct ComplaintTo submit a formal Code of Conduct Complaint, complete the Formal Complaint Form and submit it to the Office of the City Clerk on the third floor of City Hall. The form must be signed in front of a Commissioner for Affadavits; this service can be provided by the City Clerk's Office. Review the City's Code of Conduct Complaint Protocol for complete details before submitting a formal Code of Conduct complaint.
Fees for Submitting a Formal Code of Conduct ComplaintWhen submitting a complaint, you'll need to pay the required administration fee of $41.95. Payment must be made in the Office of the City Clerk when you submit the complaint. The Integrity Commissioner will not open an investigation until this fee is paid. |
Integrity Commissioner Reports for Code of Conduct Complaints |
2022 Reports
2021 Reports
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Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when a member has any direct, indirect or deemed pecuniary interest involving an item to be discussed by the members of that Council, committee, board or task force. For information on conflicts of interest, please see the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Members must declare any conflict of interest for item(s) at a meeting before that item is discussed and submit a written conflict of interest declaration form to the City Clerk. Information from the conflict-of-interest declaration form is included below as part of the Declaration of Interest Registry. After making a declaration, a member cannot participate in discussion or vote on the item and cannot seek to influence any decision or recommendation related to that item.
Members are responsible for making declarations of interest and adhering to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Failure to do so can result in an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner and/or an application being brought before the courts under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Submitting a Conflict-of-Interest Complaint |
| To submit a complaint to the Integrity Commissioner under to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, you must download, complete and submit the City's Application for Inquiry - Alleged Contravention of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Instructions on completing and submitting the form are listed on the form. Completed forms must be signed in front of a Commissioner for Affidavits, this service can be provided by the Office of the City Clerk on the third floor of City Hall. |
Declaration of Interest Registry
| Name | Meeting Type | Date | Item | Nature of Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Councillor Mark Stevens | Council (Budget) | Nov. 16, 2022 | 7.3 | Councillor Stevens sits on the board of directors of Crime Stoppers of Niagara, which receives revenues from raffles from River Lions and IceDogs games at Meridian Centre |
| Councillor Joe Kushner | Council | Dec. 12, 2022 | 8.1 | Councillor Kushner's employer is a partner with Canada Games Park |
| Councillor Jackie Lindal | Council | Jan. 16, 2023 | 6.2 | Councillor Lindal's son is employed by a hotel owner that submitted the item of correspondence |
| Councillor Bruce Williamson | Council | Jan. 30, 2023 | 9.1 | Councillor Williamson's grandparents were Ethel and Cyril Williamson |
| Councillor Kevin Townsend | Council | Jan. 30, 2023 | 9.2 | Councillor Townsend is employed by the District School Board of Niagara |
| Councillor Bruce Williamson | Council | Jan. 30, 2023 | 9.2 | Councillor Williamson is employed by the District School Board of Niagara |
| Mayor Mat Siscoe | Council | Jan. 30, 2023 | 9.2 | Mayor Siscoe was employed by the Niagara Catholic District School Board |
| Councillor Bill Phillips | Council | Feb. 13, 2023 | Closed Item 2.1 | Councillor Phillips' relative is the Chief Financial Officer of the company in question |
| Councillor Joe Kushner | Council | Feb. 13, 2023 | 9.1 | Councillor Kushner is an owner of a restaurant that has a temporary commercial patio on private property |
| Councillor Kevin Townsend | Council | Mar. 6, 2023 | 6.3, sub-item 2 | Councillor Townsend is employed by the District School Board of Niagara |
| Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff | Council | April 3, 2023 | 10.1 | Councillor Ratzlaff is a member of one of the organizations named in the motion |
| Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff | Council | April 3, 2023 | 7.1 | Councillor Ratzlaff has a collegial relationship with the ministers of New Hope Church |
| Councillor Joe Kushner | Council | May 15, 2023 | 9.1 | Councillor Kushner's employer is mentioned in the motion |
| Councillor Matt Harris | Council | June 12, 2023 | 10.2 | Councillor Harris' employer is named in the motion |
| Councillor Bill Phillips | Council | July 24, 2023 | 7.6, sub-item 7 | Councillor Phillips' son's employer is named in the motion |
| Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff | Council | July 24, 2023 | 14.2 | Councillor Ratzlaff has a collegial relationship with the ministers of New Hope Church |
| Brian Narhi | Heritage Advisory Committee | Aug. 31, 2023 | 7.4 and 7.5 | Brian Narhi's employer is working on the Fairview Park / John Page Park project and the Committee's funds could be potentially going towards hiring his employer to do some of the work for the project. |
| Councillor Dawn Dodge | Council | Sept. 11, 2023 | 10.1 | Councillor Dodge owns property that she rents to family |
| Andrew Humeniuk | Heritage Advisory Committee | Sept. 28, 2023 | 7.4 | Andrew Humeniuk is the Executive Director of the Brown Homestead |
| Brian Narhi | Heritage Advisory Committee | Sept.28, 2023 | 7.4 | Brian Narhi is one of the unpaid directors of the Brown Homestead |
| Lorraine Giroux | Heritage Advisory Committee | Sept. 28, 2023 | 7.4 | Lorraine Giroux is a director for the Brown Homestead |
| Councillor Joseph Kushner | Council | Oct. 16, 2023 | 9.1 | Councillor Kushner's employer is mentioned in the presentation |
| Councillor Joseph Kushner | Council (Budget) | Nov. 1, 2023 | 8.5 | Councillor Kushner's employer is mentioned in the presentation |
| Councillor Bill Phillips | Council | Nov. 13, 2023 | 6.4, sub-item 7 |
Councillor Phillips' son is an executive with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and oversees licensing. |
| Councillor Joseph Kushner | Council (Budget) | Jan. 22, 2024 | 11.2 |
Councillor Kushner declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) for Item 11.2 as he is an owner of a restaurant with a patio. |
| Councillor Carlos Garcia | Council | April 8, 2024 | 11.1 |
Councillor Garcia declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) as he has an interest in a company impacted by the motion. |
| Councillor Kevin Townsend | Council | April 8, 2024 | 11.1 |
Councillor Townsend declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) as he is currently doing work for Enbridge Inc. |
| Councillor Joseph Kushner | Council | July 22, 2024 | 10.3 |
Councillor Kushner declared a Conflict of Interest as the matter pertained to him. |
| Councillor Dawn Dodge | Special Council | Aug. 26, 2024 | 3.2 |
Councillor Dodge declared a Conflict of Interest due to possible use of the program. |
| Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff | Council | Sept. 23, 2024 | 6.3 |
Councillor Ratzlaff declared a Conflict of Interest as the Councillor is a director with a land trust with an interest in the lands at 155 Ontario Street for the purpose of affordable housing. |
| Councillor Bruce Williamson | Council | Dec. 16, 2024 | 9.1 |
Councillor Bruce Williamson declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) for the component of the report dealing with District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) facilities as he is an employee with the DSBN. |
| Councillor Kevin Townsend | Council | Dec. 16, 2024 | 10.1 | Councillor Townsend declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) as he is currently working with a green energy client. |
| Councillor Mark Stevens | Council | Jan. 27, 2025 | 2.2 | Councillor Stevens declared a Conflict of Interest as he was the former President of the Grantham Lions Club. |
| Councillor Robin McPherson | Council | Feb. 10, 2025 | 10.2 | Councillor McPherson declared a Conflict of Interest as she is currently running in the provincial election. |
| Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff | Council | Feb. 10, 2025 | 10.2 | Councillor Ratzlaff declared a Conflict of Interest as he works for the Ontario NDP candidate, Jennie Stevens, seeking re-election. |
| Andrew Humeniuk | Heritage Advisory Committee Designations Sub-Committee | Feb. 28, 2025 | 7.1 | Andrew Humeniuk is the owner of the property. |
| Councillor Joseph Kushner | Council | March 31, 2025 | 9.1 and Closed Item 2.1 | Councillor Kushner declared a Conflict of Interest as he works for Brock University. |
Integrity Commissioner Reports for Municipal Conflict of Interest Act Complaints |
2022 ReportsReport 2022-01 and 2022-02 regarding former Councillor Mat Siscoe (May 31, 2022). |
Closed Meetings
Section 239 of the Municipal Act sets out the rules that Council must follow to hold a meeting that is closed to the public (also known as an “In-Camera” meeting), and the types of items that Council can discuss during closed meetings. Section 239.1 of the Municipal Act allows the public to request an investigation into whether the municipality has complied with the open meeting requirements of the Municipal Act. Closed Meeting complaints are investigated by the Ontario Ombudsman; complaints can be submitted directly to the Ombudsman through their online complaint form.
Ombudsman
The Ontario Ombudsman's jurisdiction includes investigations of the City's administrative functions and services. The Ombudsman's services are intended to be a last resort available when the complainant has exhausted other available complaint mechanisms and reviews available within the municipality.
The Ombudsman can make non-binding recommendations to the municipality to address concerns identified through its investigation.