Inside Town Council

Accountability and Transparency

The Township of Bonfield is committed to conducting business in an open, transparent, and accountable manner. These principles are reflected in our policies, practices, and procedures. We strive to provide residents and the community with as much information as possible.

Codes of Conduct

The Township of Bonfield is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism in municipal governance. The Code of Conduct serves as a guiding framework for elected officials, members of committees, and municipal representatives, ensuring that all actions and decisions reflect the Township’s values and responsibilities to the community.

This document outlines the ethical and behavioral expectations for individuals serving in municipal roles. It provides clear guidelines on conflict of interest, respectful conduct, confidentiality, and compliance with laws.

In addition to this, the Township has two complementary codes of conduct that help uphold respectful and professional standards across all interactions.

The Public Code of Conduct outlines acceptable behaviour when members of the public interact with Township staff, Council, or attend municipal facilities or events. It addresses issues such as harassment and disruptive behaviour ensuring a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

The Employee Code of Conduct sets expectations for Township staff, emphasizing values such as honesty, respect, teamwork, and integrity. It covers topics like conflict of interest, confidentiality, responsible use of municipal resources, and professional behaviour, supporting a workplace culture that reflects the Township’s commitment to public service.

Integrity Commissioner

As of March 1, 2019, all municipalities in Ontario are required to appoint an Integrity Commissioner to uphold ethical standards and accountability in local government. The Integrity Commissioner is responsible for:

Enforcing the municipal Code of Conduct for members of Council and certain local boards.
Overseeing compliance with municipal procedures, rules, and policies governing ethical conduct.
Applying relevant provisions of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (MCIA) to Council and board members.
Providing advice to Council members and local board members regarding their obligations under:
- The municipal Code of Conduct.
- Municipal rules and policies related to ethical behavior.
- The MCIA.
Educating the public, municipality, Council members, and local boards on the Code of Conduct and MCIA.
Conducting inquiries into allegations of violations of the Code of Conduct or other ethical rules.

The Integrity Commissioner reports directly to Council. If a member of Council or a local board is found to have violated the Code of Conduct, Council may impose penalties such as a reprimand or suspension of pay for up to 90 days. The final decision on how to proceed following an Integrity Commissioner’s report rests with the municipality.

Integrity Commissioners play a crucial role in ensuring local accountability and transparency. For more details on their responsibilities, refer to Sections 223.3 to 223.8 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

Contact the Integrity Commissioner

At the April 9, 2024, Regular Meeting, Bonfield Township Council appointed Boghosian and Allen LLP as the Township’s Integrity Commissioner.

Boghosian and Allen LLP can be contacted through the following means:

Email: dgb@boglaw.ca
Telephone: 416-367-5558 ext. 211
Address: 1000-65 Queen Street W, Toronto, ON M5H 2M5

For more information on the Integrity Commissioner’s role, please refer to By-Law 2024-17.

Closed Meetings

Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, establishes rules to ensure the transparency and accountability of municipal councils, local boards and their committees. Meetings are general open to the public. However, there may be circumstances which require a meeting, or part of a meeting, to be held in closed session.

Bonfield Township Council has adopted a Procedural By-law to establish the rules of order for Council and Committee meetings. This by-law ensures a fair and consistent approach to Township business. It also sets standards for notice provisions, agendas and minutes, resolutions and voting, and the Council-Committee structure.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest Registry

Name	Meeting	Item No.	Reason
Councillor Lagassie	Regular March 26, 2019	6	Member of the Bonfield Agricultural Society
Councillor Foisy	Regular September 10, 2019	11	Members of Council should not give themselves raises, but can give raises to the next future Council
Councillor Lagassie	Regular October 8, 2019	10	Member of the Bonfield Agricultural Society
Mayor McLaren	Regular June 9, 2020	9	The payment being made to me in this disbursement is related to compensation for the Wildlife Damages Program
Mayor McLaren	Regular November 10, 2020	9	The payment being made to me in this disbursement is related to compensation for the Wildlife Damages Program
Mayor McLaren	Regular May 18, 2021	5	The Planning Advisory Committee recommendations contain an approved severance application by me for 3 new lots
Councillor Foisy	PAC September 7, 2021	5. (a)	I am a member of the Financial Committee for the Ste Bernadette Parish
Councillor Foisy	PAC October 5, 2021	5.(a)	I am a member of the Financial Committee for the Ste Bernadette Parish
Councillor Lagassie	Regular October 12, 2021	5	I work for the Algonquins of Ontario
Councillor Foisy	Regular October 12, 2021	5	I am a member of the Financial Committee for the Ste Bernadette Parish
Councillor Lagassie	Regular October 26, 2021	12.3	I work for the Algonquins of Ontario
Councillor Corbett	Regular March 8, 2022	8.8.8	My spouse is an employee of Cassellholme
Mayor Paquette	Regular April 11, 2023	4	Conflict with Employer
Member Eric Foisy	Planning Advisory Committee May 2, 2023	5a.	Board Member of the Bonfield Non-Profit Senior's Housing
Mayor Paquette	Regular June 13, 2023	4.1	Conflict with Employer
Councillor Featherstone	Regular June 13, 2023	10.3	Running charity cornhole tournament
Councillor Corbett	Regular June 13, 2023	10.3	On the cornhole event planning committee
Councillor Clark	Regular June 13, 2023	10.3	On the cornhole event planning committee
Mayor Paquette	Regular June 13, 2023	10.4	Conflict with Employer
Mayor Paquette	Regular July 25, 2023	10.4	Conflict with Employer
Councillor Corbett	Regular May 14, 2028	10.g	Member of the Event Planning Committee
Councillor Clark	Regular June 25, 2024	5	There is community perceived conflict deviating from productive dialogue.
Councillor Corbett	Regular September 10, 2024	5	My spouse is an employee of Cassellholme
Mayor Paquette	Regular January 28, 2025	9.e	Aggregates - Her son owns a pit
Mayor Paquette	Regular January 28, 2025	Closed Session	Solicitor in question is her employer
Councillor Clark	Regular March 11, 2025	9.1.v	There is community perceived conflict deviating from productive dialogue.
Councillor Clark	Special March 18, 2025	4.d	There is community perceived conflict deviating from productive dialogue.
Councillor Clark	May 13, 2025	10.f	There is community perceived conflict deviating from productive dialogue.
Mayor Paquette	May 13, 2025	8.a-c	Employment conflict
		10a-f	She is the Mayor and employment conflict
Steve Featherstone	June 9th, 2025	6.a	Owner of Reptile Camp

Investigative Reports

Reports prepared by the Integrity Commissioner are listed below:

Township of Bonfield
365 Highway 531, Bonfield ON P0H 1E0
Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Phone: 705-776-2641
Fax: 705-776-1154
Email: webmaster@bonfieldtownship.com