Council to appoint new Integrity Commissioner

David Boghosian

David Boghosian is expected to be appointed as the County’s new Integrity Commissioner at month end – chosen from three proposals received.

The Integrity Commissioner investigates complaints about violations of the Council Code of Conduct and Municipal Conflict of Interest Act by a member of council or a local board, and also provides advice, education and information on obligations under these.

The Municipal Act requires the appointment.

Boghosian, a Toronto-based lawyer, serves as Integrity Commissioner for several municipalities, including Pelham, Caledon, Hamilton, Norfolk County and Stratford.

An annual budget of $60,000 has been allocated for his services, from the clerk’s office, approved as part of the 2025 budget.

“Based on invoices received over the last three years and the current mandate, this is an appropriate budgeted amount,” stated Clerk Catalina Blumenberg, in her report to the mayor council coming to next Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

“The amount fluctuates each year depending on the amount of advice sought and the number and complexity of complaints received. David Boghosian’s fee structure was the second lowest hourly cost of the proposals received at $290/hour and is lower than the current hourly fees incurred for Integrity Commissioner Services.”

Blumemberg notes an additional enhancement as part of the proposed agreement is an annual report from
the Integrity Commissioner outlining reflections, advice requests, etc. which will assist to evaluate the performance of the position.

The bylaw confirming the appointment until February 2029, is to come to the Feb. 25 council meeting. Upon appointment, Boghosian is to attend a refresher and introduction training session with council on his role, the Code of Conduct and Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Boghosian was dismissed from the same position by the City of Greater Sudbury. CBC news reported his dismissal came shortly after three code of conduct complaints against Sudbury councillors were presented, with councillors rejecting his recommendations.

He had been appointed integrity commissioner in 2023 after Robert Swayze declined to submit a bid to extend his contract with the city.

Swayze, a London-area lawyer, served in the role in Prince Edward County since 2016, and for several other municipalities in the province.

In September 2024, Swayze reported results of his investigation sought by four members of council into alleged breaches of conduct related to confidential information being leaked to the public. He found insufficient evidence, but believed the code of conduct had been contravened. In 2018, he ruled an apology was in order following a citizen complaint that an e-mail was offensive.

In October 2024, citing “time for a change”, council agreed to seek a new commissioner. The firm of Aird & Berlis LLP was appointed on an interim basis (rate $400 to $800 per hour).