Accountability and Transparency

The City of St. Catharines is committed to making sure that you are aware and informed about the decisions, actions and conduct of elected officials, staff, and members of committees, boards and task forces. Useful information is available through:

Meeting Calendar: this calendar provides the date, time and location of upcoming Council, committee and task force meetings.
Council Agendas: agendas provide an overview of topics that will be discussed at a meeting; meetings are listed in date order.
Council Minutes: meeting minutes capture the Council decisions from each meeting.

Public Notice Policy

The Municipal Act requires a municipality to adopt and maintain a policy regarding the circumstances in which the municipality shall provide notice to the public and, if notice is to be provided, the form, manner and times notice shall be given.

The City's updated Public Notice Policy was approved by Council on April 29, 2024.

In accordance with the provisions contained in the Municipal Act, the City's policy sets out a list of matters for when public notice is to be given and the minimum form, manner and time for providing such notice.

Code of Conduct and Integrity Commissioner

City Council has adopted a Code of Conduct to set a high standard of conduct for the Mayor, City Councillors, and members of the City's Advisory Committees, Boards and Task Forces.

Information is provided below on how to file a Code of Conduct complaint if you believe a member has breached the Code of Conduct. Complaints are investigated by the City's Integrity Commissioner.

Integrity Commissioner

City Council has appointed ADR Chambers, Michael Maynard, as the City's Integrity Commissioner. The position is appointed by, and reports directly to, City Council. The Integrity Commissioner is responsible for:

Advising Council, committee, and board members of their duties under the Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act;
Deciding whether to investigate complaints about Members' conduct;
Making recommendations after an investigation;
Conducting inquiries into alleged contraventions of certain sections of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act; and
Providing educational information to members.

How to file a Code of Conduct complaint

If you identify or witness behaviour or activity by a member that you believe contravenes the Code of Conduct, you are able to submit a Code of Conduct complaint. Individuals are encouraged to follow the Informal Complaint Procedure as the first means of remedying the behaviour or activity.

Informal Code of Conduct Complaints

The Informal Complaint Procedure includes the following steps:

Document the incident where the member may have breached the Code of Conduct: include dates, times, locations, other persons present, and any other relevant information;
Advise a third party about the concerns regarding the member's actions;
Advise the member that the behaviour or activity appears to contravene the Code of Conduct;
Identify to the member the specific provision(s) of the Code of Conduct that may have been contravened;
Encourage the member to acknowledge and agree to stop the prohibited behaviour or activity and to undertake to refrain from future occurrences of the prohibited behaviour or activity;
If applicable confirm to the member that their response is satisfactory, or advise the member that their response is unsatisfactory;
Consider the need to pursue the matter in accordance with the formal complaint procedure, or in accordance with any other applicable judicial or quasi-judicial process or complaint procedure.

If both you and the member agree, the Integrity Commissioner may participate as a mediator in an informal process in an attempt to settle or resolve the issue.

Formal Code of Conduct Complaints

The City recommends using the Informal Complaint Procedure as the first means of remedying behaviour or activity of a member that you believe violates the Code of Conduct. However, you may file a formal complaint with or without following the informal complaint procedure.

Submitting a Formal Code of Conduct Complaint

To submit a formal Code of Conduct Complaint, complete the Formal Complaint Form and submit it to the Office of the City Clerk on the third floor of City Hall. The form must be signed in front of a Commissioner for Affadavits; this service can be provided by the City Clerk's Office. Review the City's Code of Conduct Complaint Protocol for complete details before submitting a formal Code of Conduct complaint.

Fees for Submitting a Formal Code of Conduct Complaint

When submitting a complaint, you'll need to pay the required administration fee of $41.95. Payment must be made in the Office of the City Clerk when you submit the complaint.

The Integrity Commissioner will not open an investigation until this fee is paid.

Integrity Commissioner Reports for Code of Conduct Complaints

2022 Reports

Report 2021-07 and 2022-01 - regarding former Councillor Mat Siscoe and Mayor Walter Sendzik (May 31, 2022)
Report 2021-06 - regarding Councillor Dawn Dodge (April 14, 2022)
Report 2021-05 - regarding Councillor Karrie Porter (March 30, 2022)

2021 Reports

Report 2020-02 - regarding Councillor Karrie Porter (Jan. 7, 2021)
Report 2020-03 - regarding former Councillor Mat Siscoe (Jan. 7, 2021)

Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest occurs when a member has any direct, indirect or deemed pecuniary interest involving an item to be discussed by the members of that Council, committee, board or task force. For information on conflicts of interest, please see the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Members must declare any conflict of interest for item(s) at a meeting before that item is discussed and submit a written conflict of interest declaration form to the City Clerk. Information from the conflict-of-interest declaration form is included below as part of the Declaration of Interest Registry. After making a declaration, a member cannot participate in discussion or vote on the item and cannot seek to influence any decision or recommendation related to that item.

Members are responsible for making declarations of interest and adhering to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Failure to do so can result in an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner and/or an application being brought before the courts under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Submitting a Conflict-of-Interest Complaint

To submit a complaint to the Integrity Commissioner under to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, you must download, complete and submit the City's Application for Inquiry - Alleged Contravention of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Instructions on completing and submitting the form are listed on the form. Completed forms must be signed in front of a Commissioner for Affidavits, this service can be provided by the Office of the City Clerk on the third floor of City Hall.

Declaration of Interest Registry

Declaration of Interest Registry
Name	Meeting Type	Date	Item	Nature of Interest
Councillor Mark Stevens	Council (Budget)	Nov. 16, 2022	7.3	Councillor Stevens sits on the board of directors of Crime Stoppers of Niagara, which receives revenues from raffles from River Lions and IceDogs games at Meridian Centre
Councillor Joe Kushner	Council	Dec. 12, 2022	8.1	Councillor Kushner's employer is a partner with Canada Games Park
Councillor Jackie Lindal	Council	Jan. 16, 2023	6.2	Councillor Lindal's son is employed by a hotel owner that submitted the item of correspondence
Councillor Bruce Williamson	Council	Jan. 30, 2023	9.1	Councillor Williamson's grandparents were Ethel and Cyril Williamson
Councillor Kevin Townsend	Council	Jan. 30, 2023	9.2	Councillor Townsend is employed by the District School Board of Niagara
Councillor Bruce Williamson	Council	Jan. 30, 2023	9.2	Councillor Williamson is employed by the District School Board of Niagara
Mayor Mat Siscoe	Council	Jan. 30, 2023	9.2	Mayor Siscoe was employed by the Niagara Catholic District School Board
Councillor Bill Phillips	Council	Feb. 13, 2023	Closed Item 2.1	Councillor Phillips' relative is the Chief Financial Officer of the company in question
Councillor Joe Kushner	Council	Feb. 13, 2023	9.1	Councillor Kushner is an owner of a restaurant that has a temporary commercial patio on private property
Councillor Kevin Townsend	Council	Mar. 6, 2023	6.3, sub-item 2	Councillor Townsend is employed by the District School Board of Niagara
Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff	Council	April 3, 2023	10.1	Councillor Ratzlaff is a member of one of the organizations named in the motion
Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff	Council	April 3, 2023	7.1	Councillor Ratzlaff has a collegial relationship with the ministers of New Hope Church
Councillor Joe Kushner	Council	May 15, 2023	9.1	Councillor Kushner's employer is mentioned in the motion
Councillor Matt Harris	Council	June 12, 2023	10.2	Councillor Harris' employer is named in the motion
Councillor Bill Phillips	Council	July 24, 2023	7.6, sub-item 7	Councillor Phillips' son's employer is named in the motion
Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff	Council	July 24, 2023	14.2	Councillor Ratzlaff has a collegial relationship with the ministers of New Hope Church
Brian Narhi	Heritage Advisory Committee	Aug. 31, 2023	7.4 and 7.5	Brian Narhi's employer is working on the Fairview Park / John Page Park project and the Committee's funds could be potentially going towards hiring his employer to do some of the work for the project.
Councillor Dawn Dodge	Council	Sept. 11, 2023	10.1	Councillor Dodge owns property that she rents to family
Andrew Humeniuk	Heritage Advisory Committee	Sept. 28, 2023	7.4	Andrew Humeniuk is the Executive Director of the Brown Homestead
Brian Narhi	Heritage Advisory Committee	Sept.28, 2023	7.4	Brian Narhi is one of the unpaid directors of the Brown Homestead
Lorraine Giroux	Heritage Advisory Committee	Sept. 28, 2023	7.4	Lorraine Giroux is a director for the Brown Homestead
Councillor Joseph Kushner	Council	Oct. 16, 2023	9.1	Councillor Kushner's employer is mentioned in the presentation
Councillor Joseph Kushner	Council (Budget)	Nov. 1, 2023	8.5	Councillor Kushner's employer is mentioned in the presentation
Councillor Bill Phillips	Council	Nov. 13, 2023	6.4, sub-item 7	Councillor Phillips' son is an executive with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and oversees licensing.
Councillor Joseph Kushner	Council (Budget)	Jan. 22, 2024	11.2	Councillor Kushner declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) for Item 11.2 as he is an owner of a restaurant with a patio.
Councillor Carlos Garcia	Council	April 8, 2024	11.1	Councillor Garcia declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) as he has an interest in a company impacted by the motion.
Councillor Kevin Townsend	Council	April 8, 2024	11.1	Councillor Townsend declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) as he is currently doing work for Enbridge Inc.
Councillor Joseph Kushner	Council	July 22, 2024	10.3	Councillor Kushner declared a Conflict of Interest as the matter pertained to him.
Councillor Dawn Dodge	Special Council	Aug. 26, 2024	3.2	Councillor Dodge declared a Conflict of Interest due to possible use of the program.
Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff	Council	Sept. 23, 2024	6.3	Councillor Ratzlaff declared a Conflict of Interest as the Councillor is a director with a land trust with an interest in the lands at 155 Ontario Street for the purpose of affordable housing.
Councillor Bruce Williamson	Council	Dec. 16, 2024	9.1	Councillor Bruce Williamson declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) for the component of the report dealing with District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) facilities as he is an employee with the DSBN.
Councillor Kevin Townsend	Council	Dec. 16, 2024	10.1	Councillor Townsend declared a Conflict of Interest (pecuniary) as he is currently working with a green energy client.
Councillor Mark Stevens	Council	Jan. 27, 2025	2.2	Councillor Stevens declared a Conflict of Interest as he was the former President of the Grantham Lions Club.
Councillor Robin McPherson	Council	Feb. 10, 2025	10.2	Councillor McPherson declared a Conflict of Interest as she is currently running in the provincial election.
Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff	Council	Feb. 10, 2025	10.2	Councillor Ratzlaff declared a Conflict of Interest as he works for the Ontario NDP candidate, Jennie Stevens, seeking re-election.
Andrew Humeniuk	Heritage Advisory Committee Designations Sub-Committee	Feb. 28, 2025	7.1	Andrew Humeniuk is the owner of the property.
Councillor Kevin Townsend	Council	March 17, 2025	7.1	Councillor Townsend declared a Conflict of Interest as his current employer is working on a project in Richmond Hill with the agent.
Mayor Mat Siscoe	Council	March 17, 2025	10.1	Mayor Siscoe declared a Conflict of Interest as this matter involves property owned by the family of his Chief of Staff.
Councillor Joseph Kushner	Council	March 31, 2025	9.1 and Closed Item 2.1	Councillor Kushner declared a Conflict of Interest as he works for Brock University.
Mayor Mat Siscoe	Council	April 29, 2025	6.6	Mayor Siscoe declared a Conflict of Interest as this matter involves a property owned by the family of his Chief of Staff.
Councillor Joseph Kushner	Council	May 12, 2025	15.2	Councillor Kushner declared a Conflict of Interest as it mentions his employer, Brock University
Councillor Bruce Williamson	Council	July 14, 2025	6.1	Councillor Williamson declared a Conflict of Interest as it involves his employer, Niagara District School Board.
Councillor Dawn Dodge	Council	Sept. 22, 2025	11.1	Councillor Dodge declared a Conflict of Interest as she is an Accessible Parking Pass holder.
Councillor Bruce Williamson	Council	Oct. 6, 2025	8.2	Councillor Williamson declared a Conflict of Interest as it involves his employer, Niagara District School Board.
Mayor Mat Siscoe	Council	Oct. 6, 2025	8.2	Mayor Siscoe declared a Conflict of Interest as it involves his employer, Niagara District School Board.
Councillor Jackie Lindal	Council	Nov. 3, 2025	10.2	Councillor Lindal declared a Conflict of Interest as the motion references MPP Jennie Stevens who is a family member.
Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff	Council	Nov. 3, 2025	10.2	Councillor Ratzlaff declared a Conflict of Interest as the motion references MPP Jennie Stevens and he works in the MPP's office.

Integrity Commissioner Reports for Municipal Conflict of Interest Act Complaints

2022 Reports

Report 2022-01 and 2022-02 regarding former Councillor Mat Siscoe (May 31, 2022).

Closed Meetings

Section 239 of the Municipal Act sets out the rules that Council must follow to hold a meeting that is closed to the public (also known as an “In-Camera” meeting), and the types of items that Council can discuss during closed meetings. Section 239.1 of the Municipal Act allows the public to request an investigation into whether the municipality has complied with the open meeting requirements of the Municipal Act. Closed Meeting complaints are investigated by the Ontario Ombudsman; complaints can be submitted directly to the Ombudsman through their online complaint form.

Ombudsman

The Ontario Ombudsman's jurisdiction includes investigations of the City's administrative functions and services. The Ombudsman's services are intended to be a last resort available when the complainant has exhausted other available complaint mechanisms and reviews available within the municipality.

The Ombudsman can make non-binding recommendations to the municipality to address concerns identified through its investigation.