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What are the responsibilities of Toronto’s four accountability officers? |
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- The Auditor General is responsible for assisting City Council in holding itself and its administration accountable for the quality of stewardship over public funds and for the achievement of value for money in City operations.
- The Integrity Commissioner is responsible for providing advice, complaint resolution and education to Members of City Council and Members of local boards on the application of the City’s Codes of Conduct, and other by-laws, policies and legislation governing ethical behaviour.
- The Ombudsman is responsible for addressing concerns about City services and investigating complaints of administrative unfairness.
- The Lobbyist Registrar is responsible for promoting and enhancing the integrity of the City’s decision-making through public disclosure of lobbying activities and regulation of lobbyists’ conduct.
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What is the purpose of the policy framework? |
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The purpose of the framework is to set out the officers' characteristics of independence, accountability mechanisms to City Council, and the administrative and operational supports for their offices. To reinforce the accountability officers' separation from the City administration and independent status within the City's governance system, a separate Toronto Municipal Code chapter for the accountability officers will be established. |
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Why is the policy framework for Toronto's accountability officers being introduced now? |
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Toronto’s accountability functions have been established separately over the past six years:
- the Auditor General in 2002;
- the Integrity Commissioner in 2004;
- the Lobbyist Registry in 2006 and the appointment of a Lobbyist Registrar in 2007; and
- the Ombudsman, who took office in November 2008.
The new City of Toronto Act, 2006 made these functions mandatory and established new legislated powers and requirements. All of these factors have created the need for a more comprehensive and up-to-date policy framework for Toronto's officers.
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How does the policy framework ensure the independence of the accountability officers? |
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The framework establishes independence through a number of key policy provisions including:
- Appointment and removal by a 2/3 vote of all Members of City Council.
- Removal for cause to provide security of tenure throughout the term of office.
- Direct reporting relationship to City Council, not through the City’s administration.
- Fixed term of office.
- Appointment, renewal and removal process are defined and transparent.
- Compensation recommended through an independent, external review at arms length from the City administration.
- Responsibility and authority to manage and staff their own offices.
- Annual budgets submitted directly through the Council process for consideration and approval.
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Who holds the accountability officers accountable? |
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The accountability officers are accountable to City Council for the administration of the services they provide, for their performance in fulfilling their mandates and for their use of public funds.
Accountability to Council is achieved through the following mechanisms:
- An annual report to City Council on the activities of their office and discharge of their duties.
- An annual attest audit of their finances, as part of the City’s attest audit, carried out by an external auditor appointed by and reporting to City Council.
- An annual compliance audit carried out by an external auditor appointed by and reporting to City Council to provide assurance the officers are carrying out their operations in compliance with applicable City policies and by-laws.
- A peer review of the Auditor General to ensure compliance with Government Auditing Standards.
- A periodic review of mandates to provide Council with an opportunity to adjust mandates to changing circumstances.
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How does City Council select its accountability officers? |
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The selection process for the accountability officers is rigorous and impartial. A selection panel, appointed by the Mayor and chaired by the Mayor or the Mayor's designate, is responsible for overseeing the selection process and recommending the best candidate to City Council for appointment. The selection panel, supported by an external recruitment firm, undertakes a systematic process to shortlist candidates and conduct interviews.
The framework includes appointment of accountability officers by a 2/3 vote of all Members of City Council to ensure full confidence in the appointee throughout their tenure in office.
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How are the accountability officers different from other statutory City officials? |
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The accountability officers have distinct roles, powers and protections that make them different from other statutory City officials. While other statutory City officials, such as the City Treasurer and Chief Building Official, implement the City's business, including City business under various Provincial statutes, the accountability officers hold the City's administration and legislative arm of the City government accountable. |
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When will the recruitment begin for the new Integrity Commissioner? |
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The recruitment process will formally begin after Council considers the report, A Policy Framework for Toronto's Accountability Officers, at its April 2009 meeting. The framework supports an effective recruitment process since it provides the policy and governance basis for the Integrity Commissioner function, along with the other three officers. |
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How long will the recruitment process take? |
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The recruitment process will take approximately 8 to 12 weeks. |
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How long will Lorne Sossin stay on as the City's interim Integrity Commissioner? |
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Lorne Sossin will stay on until a new Integrity Commissioner takes office and will carry out all of the Integrity Commissioner functions during this time. |
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