At its meeting today, Toronto City Council appointed Jonathan Batty as Toronto’s Integrity Commissioner, effective November 30. The Integrity Commissioner provides advice, complaint resolution and education to members of City Council and local boards on the application of the City’s codes of conduct, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (MCIA) and other bylaws, policies and legislation governing ethical behaviour.
Prior to his appointment, Batty served as Associate Chair of both the License Appeal Tribunal from 2017, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario from 2019. In these roles, he oversaw more than 90 adjudicators and provided guidance on adjudicative matters, conflicts of interest, code of conduct compliance, as well as matters relating to the Human Rights Code.
Prior to joining the License Appeal Tribunal and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Batty served as Counsel at Elections Ontario, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped Legal Aid Clinic. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association (Ontario), the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, the Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulators, and the Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals.
The Integrity Commissioner is a neutral, independent officer appointed by City Council for a fixed, non-renewable five-year term and operates independently of City Council and the City Administration, and whose powers and duties are set out in Part V of the City of Toronto Act, 2006.
Batty takes over the position from Valerie Jepson, who was appointed as Integrity Commissioner in June 2014. Ms. Jepson was recognized by City Council at its July 16 meeting for her dedication, service, ethical leadership and thoughtful advice over the past five years.
Quotes:
“The role of Integrity Commissioner is important in ensuring that government remains open and transparent, and held to the highest standards of ethics. I am pleased with the appointment of Jonathan Batty, who is highly respected in his field and whose deep experience and qualifications will serve to help maintain trust and confidence in our government.”
– Mayor John Tory
“As the Integrity Commissioner for the City of Toronto, Mr. Batty will provide policy advice on issues of ethics and integrity, and help City Council members to maintain high standards of conduct. We welcome him to the City and look forward to working together to serve the people of Toronto.”
– Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 16 Don Valley East), Chair of the Integrity Commissioner Selection Panel
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