Integrity commissioner position mulled to probe complaints against councillors

Saskatoon city council is going to decide whether to create an integrity commissioner position to investigate conduct complaints against council members.

The City of Saskatoon’s solicitor’s office is drafting a code of conduct for city council. The integrity commissioner would review and investigate complaints from the public, city staff or council members about breaches of conduct.

City council’s governance and priorities committee, which includes all members of council, will consider whether to approve the idea of an integrity commissioner at Monday’s meeting.

If approved, an integrity commissioner would be hired after the code of conduct rules are drafted and passed, which is expected to take place this year, according to a city report.

The City of Regina recently hired an integrity commissioner, the report says.

Regina’s commissioner is being paid $2,000 this year, $5,000 in 2019 and a base salary of $2,500 in 2020, plus an hourly rate of $375.

The City of Saskatoon’s external head of freedom of information requests, a position that remains vacant, was paid $12,000 a year plus $500 for each day worked.

Wenda Atkinson was hired in February 2017 as an access and privacy officer in the city clerk’s office to assess freedom of information requests.

City administration recommends the integrity commissioner also be hired on a part-time basis and paid additionally for work performed.

City council would select and hire the integrity commissioner, who would report to city council, but would operate independently.

The commissioner would also offer advice to council members.

The report notes the importance of reporting the commissioner’s findings to the public, which it suggests could be accomplished through an anonymous listings of investigations.

The integrity commissioner would not deal with conflict of interest concerns involving council members, since the process for dealing with such matters is defined in the provincial Cities Act.

City council will also consider Monday whether to allow the possibility of council meetings during election campaigns in emergency situations.

PHIL TANK/FILES A city lawyer is drawing up a code of conduct for members of city council. Once that is enacted, council could then hire an integrity commissioner. Regina already has such a position.