Brantford’s City Council has taken a decisive step toward revising its Code of Conduct, following a report from the Integrity Commissioner that highlighted concerns over ethical governance.
At a February 11 meeting, council members voted to establish a task force aimed at overhauling Chapter 16 of the municipal code, marking the first significant review in five years.
The move comes in response to a November 25, 2024, Integrity Commissioner’s report that found Councillor Richard Carpenter in violation of the Code of Conduct.
The Commissioner recommended not only a penalty but also a broader clarification of conduct rules for council members and local boards.
Under the newly approved resolution, a three-member task force will lead the review process, composed of Mayor Kevin Davis and two council members of his choosing.
Supported by the City Clerk’s office and the Integrity Commissioner, the task force is mandated to deliver a final report by May 27, 2025.
“This is the time to act,” Mayor Davis said. “We’ve had multiple Integrity Commissioner reports in recent years that have highlighted areas of concern. It’s essential that we take this opportunity to clarify and strengthen our policies.” Davis also invited applications from interested councillors for the two additional task force seats.
Debate over the initiative was lively, with some councillors questioning whether council should have sole authority over revising its own Code of Conduct.
Councillor Linda Hunt proposed referring the matter for further study, suggesting a comparative review of how other municipalities approach similar reforms.
“Would council not benefit from understanding how other cities are handling this?” Hunt asked. However, City Clerk Chris Gauthier clarified that, under the Municipal Act, it is the council’s responsibility to establish and amend its own Code.
Councillor Rose Sicoli emphasized the importance of regular policy updates. “This isn’t about any one incident—it’s about making sure our policies reflect best practices,” she said.
“If the Integrity Commissioner has identified gaps, we have an obligation to address them.”
The discussion also exposed division over the selection process for task force members.
Councillor Mandy Samwell proposed an amendment allowing council, rather than the mayor alone, to appoint the task force members.
“Transparency means allowing council as a whole to decide who represents us in this process,” Samwell argued.
However, Councillor Dan McCreary countered that Samwell’s amendment directly contradicted the resolution’s intent and should be handled separately.
Council ultimately voted in favour of forming the task force as originally proposed, with support from Councillors Brian Van Tilborg, Mandy Samwell, Linda Hunt, Greg Martin, Dan McCreary, John Sless, Gino Caputo, Michael Sullivan, Rose Sicoli, and Mayor Davis.
The review comes amid wider scrutiny of municipal governance in Ontario, with the provincial government considering reforms to conduct codes across municipalities.
While some councillors expressed concern about waiting for provincial direction, others argued that Brantford should take proactive steps to ensure transparency and accountability within its own ranks.
With the task force now set to begin its work, the coming months will determine the extent of changes to Brantford’s ethical governance framework—a process that could reshape how council operates for years to come.
