Hamilton subcommittee to review $100 integrity complaint fee

Hamilton metropolis councillors will assessment a $100 price that’s charged to members of the general public who file integrity complaints.

The coverage is to be revisited after Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé referred to as the price “completely inconsistent” with the integrity commissioner course of.

Imposing a price “acts as a barrier” to submitting ethics complaints, Dubé wrote in a Jan. 12 letter to council after he fielded a grievance concerning the $100 price.

On Wednesday, some councillors agreed, however others argued the $100 price shields them from “vexatious” or “frivolous” complaints.

That quantity can immediate a would-be complainant to “at the very least pause” earlier than submitting a beef, mentioned Coun. Tom Jackson, noting he was the goal of unfounded allegations in 2008.

Jackson mentioned “it’s good to know” there’s “some consequence” for somebody who information a grievance that’s later deemed to be “vexatious and frivolous.”

The $100 price isn’t “unreasonable,” he mentioned.

Authorized and governance specialists, in addition to a citizen panel, weighed in on the bylaw that led to the integrity commissioner, Coun. Terry Whitehead mentioned. “So I wish to clarify this wasn’t completed on the again of an envelope.”

Coun. Brad Clark famous he didn’t assist the $100 price when it was first pitched and nonetheless doesn’t, saying it’s a “deterrent” for individuals who don’t have a lot disposable earnings.

Coun. Maureen Wilson mentioned she didn’t wish to downplay the stress her colleagues endure throughout integrity investigations, however added that risk is a part of being a public official.

“I believe in charging $100, even whether it is refundable, we’re saying you may solely have interaction in keeping with your means,” Wilson mentioned, calling that a “harmful message.”

This isn’t the primary time metropolis politicians have debated the price. In 2016, then integrity commissioner George Rust-D’Eye advisable ditching the $100 cost however a committee opted to maintain it.

Ideas Integrity is the agency that at present serves as the town’s integrity commissioner.

On Wednesday, on a 8-7 vote, council backed a movement by Coun. Nrinder Nann and Wilson to refer the $100 price coverage to the governance assessment subcommittee.

Dubé notes the town’s bylaw already permits the integrity commissioner to dismiss complaints which are “frivolous, vexatious, an abuse of course of or not made in good religion.”