Accountability and Transparency

The City of Oshawa is committed to an accountable, collaborative and transparent government.

Accountability and Transparency Policy

The Accountability and Transparency Policy sets out Council's commitment to a democratic process that is accountable, collaborative and transparent. It provides a framework for Council and City staff to establish goals and strategies to maintain a responsible level of government that is accountable to the residents of Oshawa.

View the City's Accountability and Transparency Policy

Council Code of Conduct

The Council Code of Conduct (the “Code”) outlines standards of ethical conduct for Members of Council. The Code addresses standards related to respectful behaviour, conduct at meetings, gifts and benefits, use of City resources and services and improper use of influence.

View the Council Code of Conduct

Code Enforcement and Filing a Complaint

Any person who believes that a Member of Council has contravened the Code can file a complaint directly with the City's Integrity Commissioner for an investigation.

View the procedure for filing such a complaint and the process for the investigation.

Please outline your complaint in writing and include any particulars of the alleged contravention. In addition, please include your name, address, email and phone/cell number where you can be reached. Anonymous complaints are not accepted.

Complete the complaint form to submit the required information and forward it to:

Attention: Principles Integrity
Jeffrey A. Abrams and Janice Atwood-Petovski, Co-principles
[email protected]

Main phone line: 647-259-8697

Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (“M.C.I.A.”) provides rules for Members of Council and local board members if they have a pecuniary or financial interest in a matter before the council or local board at a meeting.

A member with a pecuniary interest must:

disclose the interest and its general nature before the matter is considered at the meeting
not take part in the discussion or voting on any question in respect of the matter
not attempt to influence the voting before, during, or after the meeting
immediately leave the meeting, if the meeting is closed to the public

View the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

The Integrity Commissioner for investigative services will also investigate apparent breaches by Members of Council of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

If you believe that a contravention of the M.C.I.A. has taken place, you must file an application for inquiry with the Integrity Commissioner. A complaint concerning an alleged contravention of the M.C.I.A. must be made no later than six weeks after you become aware of the alleged infringement.

View the procedure for applying for an inquiry and the process for the investigation.

Please outline your complaint in writing and include any particulars of the alleged contravention. Please include your name, address, email and phone/cell number where we can contact you.

Complete the complaint form to submit the required information and forward it to::

Attention: Principles Integrity
Jeffrey A. Abrams and Janice Atwood-Petovski, Co-principles
[email protected]

Main Phone line: 647-259-8697

Declaration of Interest Registry

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires municipalities to maintain a registry of all declarations made under this Act. The registry must include the original written declaration provided by the member of Council and must be available to the public.

The registry is available online as a table, sorted by Member of Council name which provides the Member's name, the date of the meeting where the declaration was made, where the declaration was made (Council or Committee name) and the nature of the declaration from the form submitted by the Member. This table is updated following a Council meeting

View the 2023 Declaration of Interest Registry

View the 2022 Declaration of Interest Registry

Tables before 2021 may be accessed by contacting Legislative Services.

Original registries, including the forms submitted by Members of Council and excerpts from the minutes, is available for public inspection at Legislative Services, 5th Floor, Rundle Tower, City Hall any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Integrity Commissioner Reports

The City of Oshawa's Integrity Commissioner is responsible for producing annual reports and reports following investigations into complaints under the Code of Conduct or applications for inquiry under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Annual Reports (November 15, 2022 to November 14, 2026)

Individual Reports (November 15, 2022 to November 14, 2026)

Reports from previous terms of Council may be accessed by contacting Legislative Services.