Council
2022 – 2026 Township Council Members
Front Row (Left to Right): Deputy Mayor Bill Vanstone, Mayor Glen McNeil and Councillor Jennifer Miltenburg
Accountability and Transparency
Code of Conduct for Council
An updated Code of Conduct for Council was adopted in 2019 and applies to all members of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Council, committees, and local boards.
By-law 12-2019 Code of Conduct for Council
A Code of Conduct serves as a reference guide on ethical behaviour when members are acting in their official capacity, and supplements legislative standards and parameters within which members are obligated to conduct themselves.
The Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh has appointed John Mascarin of Aird & Berlis as Integrity Commissioner to help ensure that members of Council perform their functions in accordance with a Code of Conduct, and other procedures, rules or policies governing their ethical behaviour.
Making a complaint
- Anyone who identifies or witnesses behaviour or activity by a member that they believe contravenes the Code of Conduct may make a complaint.
- Complaints can be made informally or formally by following the procedures outlined in Appendix “B”, Parts A or B of By-law 12-2019 respectively.
- Where a formal complaint is made, the prescribed form must be filed with the Clerk by hard copy or directly with Integrity Commissioner by a sealed hard copy or by e-mail to the undersigned.
T 416.865.4722
E mcowan@airdberlis.com
Administrative Assistant: Hilary Butten - 416.865.7789, ext. 5014
Mail:
Aird & Berlis LLP
c/o Meghan Cowan
Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 1800
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2T9
Complaints regarding contravention of the Code of Conduct
Complaints regarding contravention of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, sections 5, 5.1 or 5.2
Closed Meeting Investigator
Municipal Councils must conduct business only at meetings that are open to the public, except in some circumstances as listed in the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 239 (2) .
Members of the public have the right to complain if they feel the Township held a closed meeting that did not follow the rules/ exemptions listed in the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 239 (2) or with any procedure By-laws under Subsection 238 (2).
Any corporation or member of the public can submit a complaint to the investigator about a meeting or part of a meeting that is closed to the public.
How to submit a complaint
The John Mascarin of Aird & Berlis is the closed meeting investigator for the Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.
Any corporation or member of the public can submit a complaint to the investigator about a meeting or part of a meeting that is closed to the public. Complaints are always confidential.
Complaints can be submitted directly to the Closed Meeting Investigator at the addresses below.
Contact
T 416.865.7721
E jmascarin@airdberlis.com
Administrative Assistant: Katie MacDonald - 416.865.7789, ext. 3169
Mail:
Aird & Berlis LLP
c/o John Mascarin
Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 1800
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2T9
Public Disclosure Registry
As per the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, where a member, either on his/her own behalf or while acting for, by, with or through another, has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any matter and is present at a meeting at which the matter is the subject of consideration, the member must file a written statement of the interest and its general nature with the Clerk, which shall then be available for public inspection.
Declarations of Interest filed by members of the Council of the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh are available to the public below, listed in chronological order.
Declarations of Interest
2021
2022
2023
- February 28, 2023 (Councillor Blake)
- February 28, 2023 (Councillor Hickey)
- April 25, 2023
Integrity Commissioner Report on MCIA Application 2023-01
2024
- March 5, 2024 (Councillor Forster)
- April 16, 2024 (Councillor Snobelen)
- April 16, 2024 (Councillor Hickey)
- April 16, 2024 (Councillor Miltenburg)
- May 7, 2024 (Councillor Miltenburg)
Get Involved
Here are the ways you can get involved with your local government:
Watch
All Regular, Public and Special Meetings of Council, are being Live Streamed on the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh’s website (Agenda & Minutes page) in accordance with the Live Streaming and Virtual Participation of Meetings Policy.
While meetings are open to the public, the Municipality recognizes that not everyone can attend in person. Live Streaming gives all community members the opportunity to watch and listen to meetings, either in real time or at their convenience, giving greater access to decision-making and debate.
By attending a Meeting, attendees and participants are consenting to their image, voice and comments being recorded and available for public viewing on the Municipality’s website. The Chair and/or the Clerk have the discretion and authority at any time to direct the termination or interruption of Live Streaming if inappropriate material is or may be presented at the Meeting.
While the Municipality will make every effort to ensure that Live Streaming is available, it takes no responsibility for, and cannot be held liable for technical issues beyond its control. Technical issues may include, but are not limited to, the availability of the internet connection, device failure or malfunction, unavailability of social media platforms, or power outages. View By-law 27-2022 | Livestreaming Policy
Speak Up
Correspondence
You may send correspondence to the Council or its Committees by regular mail or via email to the Clerk. Correspondence relating to agenda items, etc. will be included on the appropriate agenda.
Any personal information you include in your correspondence becomes part of the public records.
Open Forum
Regular Council meetings include an Open Forum which is an oppourtunity for members of the public to speak on any items pertaining to the agenda. The agenda itself will be posted on the website by closing time on the Friday prior to the Council Meeting. View upcoming Council Meetings and Agendas here.
Delegation
A delegation is an opportunity to appear before Council, a Committee or Board to present information. The purpose of the delegation process is to allow residents or organizations to make a presentation to Council for information purposes, to request support and more.
If you are interested in appearing at a Council, Committee or Board meeting to present information or an opinion on a matter, you will need to:
- Complete the Delegation Request Form and return it along with any supporting documents to the Clerk no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the Thursday preceding the meeting.
- Ensure your Delegation is no longer than ten (10) minutes. Council may ask you questions but will not debate on your presentation. It may be referred to a Committee or Staff.
Request Donation from Council
Pursuant to Section 107 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25 a municipality may make grants, on such terms as Council considers appropriate, to any person, group, or body within or outside the boundaries of the municipality, for any purpose that Council considers to be in the interests of the municipality.
In 2016, the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Council passed a Community Grants Policy which indicates the purpose, eligibility, limitations and application process community groups must follow to receive funding. Community groups are encouraged to read the entirety of the policy before submitting a request for funds.
The request must be written or typed and submitted via email or on paper to the Deputy Clerk / Communications Co-ordinator of the Township.
Please plan ahead. All requests should be received by January 31 of the year in which the resources are required, for inclusion in Council's annual budget deliberations.
Summary of ACW Community Grant Program streams:
Community Grants – provides funding for community events, programs, and projects, up to $5,000.
Capital Grants – provides funding for community groups to undertake capital projects.
Community Partnership – support for projects that relate to an asset that is owned by the Township, build on Township-owned land, is a Township capital facility, or to an asset that is operated by a community partner who delivers service(s) on behalf of or to the Township.