Governance & Procedures

The Township of Puslinch has a number of procedures in place to ensure that the work of Council is conducted appropriately and respectfully, and that members of the general public are easily able to voice their opinions and concerns. The information on this page outlines these procedures. Continue reading to learn more, or click on the sentence that best describes you:

Procedural By-law

Every municipality in the province of Ontario must have a procedural by-law. The procedural by-law establishes the procedure for meetings of Council and Committees. The Township’s Procedural By-law can by viewed on our By-laws page.

Public Input through Delegations

Council welcomes and encourages public input. If you wish to appear before Council you must provide written notice to the Municipal Clerk via a Delegate Request form, or a written letter.

If submitting a Delegate Request form, it must be completed in full in order to appear before Council. If writing a letter in place of the form, the letter must include your full name, the name of your organization or business (if relevant), address, telephone number, and reason for appearing before Council.

How to provide input as a delegate

Delegates are permitted to speak for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute period for clarification. Debate is not permitted at this time.

  • Individuals speaking as Delegates are asked to step forward to the podium and state their name.
  • All concerns must be directed to Council.
  • The appropriate way to address Council is to preface a representative’s surname with Mayor or Councillor.
  • Delegates must provide a copy of their speaking notes and any additional information they present for inclusion in the public record.
  • Applause and other displays of approval or disapproval during Council are considered inappropriate and are discouraged.

Closed Meeting Investigation

The Township of Puslinch is committed to ensuring that any request for an investigation under Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001 as amended (the Act) is dealt with in a fair, open and expeditious manner.

As of January 1, 2021, the Township of Puslinch appointed the Ontario Ombudsman as a Municipal Closed Meeting Investigator and has authorized them to conduct investigations upon receipt of a complaint in respect of meetings or part of meetings that are closed to the public to determine compliance with the Act or the Municipal procedure by-law and to report on the results of such investigations. 

To file a complaint, please see the Ombudsman website on how to file a complaint.

For the Ombudsman open meeting rules please visit their website here.

Township Code of Conduct

The Township’s Code of Conduct  was approved by Council on March 7, 2018. The Code of Conduct applies to for Members of Council and Committee Members.

The Code of Conduct for Members of Council includes provisions relating to:

  • Appropriate use of office;
  • Municipal Property and resources;
  • Confidential Information;
  • Respectful conduct.

Complaints to the Integrity Commissioner

A complaint can be submitted to the Integrity Commissioner if it is believed that a contravention of the Code of Conduct has occurred. All complaints must be made in writing and signed by an identifiable individual. The identity of the complainant will be protected. The complaint form can be found in the PDF found under Code of Conduct.

Complaints should be mailed, faxed, e-mailed or otherwise delivered to:

Meghan Cowan, Aird Berlis
Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 1800
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2T9

Tel: 416-865-4722
E-mail: mcowan@airdberlis.com

Municipal Complaint Policy

The Municipal Complaint Policy was approved by Council on November 9, 2016. The policy gives residents an opportunity to submit complaints related to any municipal program, service, facility or staff member. Residents are encouraged to contact the respective Township department with any concerns, and Township staff will attempt to resolve all issues or concerns. Where frontline resolution cannot be achieved, residents should read the below Complaint Policy and fill the Complaint Form.

Complainants will receive receipt and acknowledgment within seven (7) calendar days of submitting their complaint.

Following an internal investigation, complainants will receive a decision within 30 calendar days of receipt of the complaint.

All complaints will be confidential.

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