Part 1: PEC Council Holds Integrity Commissioner Training on Ethics, Conflicts, and Council Conduct - 05/06/2025

This Special Council meeting was convened for a single, clearly defined purpose: to educate and train members of Council with the County’s newly appointed Integrity Commissioner. From the outset, it was emphasized that the session was not intended to result in decisions, policy changes, or binding motions, but rather to provide guidance, clarity, and shared understanding around ethical obligations, council conduct, and conflicts of interest.

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The meeting opened once quorum was achieved, following an acknowledgment of the traditional Indigenous lands on which Prince Edward County is located. The Mayor clarified that the session would function primarily as a learning and discussion forum. The agenda was confirmed, and Council agreed to amend it so that the presentation would be delivered in open session, allowing the public to view the training live via Zoom and YouTube. This decision reinforced the transparency objective of the meeting.

Declarations of pecuniary interest were invited, and none were declared at that stage. Council then moved directly into the educational portion of the meeting.

Integrity Commissioner Presentation and Scope

The Integrity Commissioner delivered a comprehensive presentation focused on three core areas: the role and responsibilities of Council members, the County’s Code of Conduct, and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

The presentation was tailored specifically to Prince Edward County’s adopted Code of Conduct rather than a generic template, emphasizing that the obligations discussed were directly applicable to Council’s current governance framework.

Early portions of the presentation addressed what Council members should not do, including speaking on behalf of Council without authorization, publicly disparaging Council decisions or fellow members, and attempting to influence municipal staff outside formal council processes. The importance of directing debate and influence through open Council meetings rather than informal channels was repeatedly emphasized.

A significant portion of discussion focused on council meeting rules, particularly the open meeting principle. The Integrity Commissioner explained that meetings are presumed to be open by default and that even informal communications, such as email exchanges involving a quorum of Council that materially advance municipal business, can constitute an illegal closed meeting. Exceptions to open meetings were reviewed, including personnel matters, security of property, litigation, and land transactions, along with the strict procedural requirements that must be followed when entering closed session.

Proxy Voting and Quorum Clarifications

Council spent considerable time discussing the lesser known provision allowing proxy voting. It was explained that councillors may authorize another councillor to vote on their behalf on a specific issue, provided the authorization is clearly documented in writing. However, it was made clear that proxy voting does not count toward quorum and does not allow a meeting to proceed without sufficient members physically present or attending virtually.

Questions from Council highlighted surprise at this provision and concern about how it could be misunderstood by the public. The Integrity Commissioner committed to providing written clarification on proxy voting to ensure consistency and prevent misuse.

Code of Conduct Provisions

The presentation then moved through the mandatory sections of the Code of Conduct, including confidential information, conduct at meetings, conduct respecting others, conduct toward staff, use of municipal property, expenses, gifts and benefits, and election related activities.

Particular emphasis was placed on confidentiality, stressing that information obtained through closed meetings or by virtue of office cannot be disclosed unless authorized by Council or required by law. Members were reminded that misuse of confidential information for personal benefit constitutes a breach of the Code.

Respectful conduct and decorum were discussed in detail, acknowledging that political debate can be heated but must remain civil. Abuse, intimidation, discrimination, and harassment were clearly identified as prohibited conduct. The Integrity Commissioner also highlighted boundaries between Council and staff, reinforcing that staff must remain politically neutral and free from member interference.

The use of municipal property generated discussion, particularly around incidental or ancillary use of County issued devices. The Integrity Commissioner explained that minor incidental use is generally acceptable, but councillors should be aware that County owned devices are subject to access during investigations, unlike personal devices.

Gifts, Benefits, and Election Activity

Council received detailed guidance on gifts and benefits, including examples of acceptable nominal gifts and unacceptable benefits that could be perceived as influencing decision making. Campaign donations were clarified as being governed separately under election legislation and not treated as gifts under the Code.

Election related conduct was also reviewed, with a clear prohibition on using municipal resources or staff for political campaigns at any level of government.

Conflict of Interest Training

The second major portion of the presentation focused on the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, which was described as broad, complex, and difficult to interpret. Council members received extensive explanations of direct and indirect pecuniary interests, membership in bodies, and conflicts arising through family relationships.

A recurring theme was the challenge this legislation poses in small communities where councillors are often deeply involved in local organizations. The Integrity Commissioner acknowledged these challenges while emphasizing that the Act must be applied as written and interpreted through existing case law.

The session concluded with an overview of complaint processes, investigation timelines, possible sanctions, and appeal mechanisms. Council members were encouraged to seek advice proactively rather than after potential breaches occur.

Key Takeaways for Locals

1. Council received training on ethics and conflict-of-interest rules. The session focused on how councillors must follow the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and the County’s Code of Conduct when making decisions or participating in discussions.

2. Open meeting rules were emphasized. Council members were reminded that most municipal business must occur in public meetings, and even informal communications involving a quorum can violate open meeting laws.

3. The training highlighted accountability and transparency. By holding the session in open view, Council reinforced that ethical standards and governance expectations are part of the public record and open to community observation.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:32:019. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.