Following a bit of a controversy, London city council has appointed an Integrity Commissioner.

He is Gregory Stewart from the law firm Donnelly Murphy.

Stewart is an expert in municipal law and currently works as the Integrity Commissioner for several other municipalities in Middlesex County.

Stewart will serve a three year term and will charge the city $250/hour while performing his duties.

Those duties will include:

  • Review the Code of Conduct for Members of Council and make recommendations on an annual basis.
  • Serve as an advisor to individual Members of Council in relation to the Code of Conduct and any procedures, rules and policies of the municipality governing ethical behavior, and act as a proactive educator for Council, the Civic Administration and the public.
  • Provide reports to Council, summarizing his activities.
  • Provide individual investigative reports, as required, which will include background concerning a complaint and recommendations to Municipal Council with respect to a complaint

In June of last year, council issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified candidates looking to take on the job.

But in January of this year, council passed a resolution to cancel that request in camera and without public debate and move to a confidential targeted recruitment process.