Accountability
In 2007, the Municipal Act (the ‘Act’) was amended to provide municipalities with greater autonomy but also to mandate the implementation of various accountability and transparency measures. Please contact the Clerk's department at 613-432-4848 or info@renfrew.ca for the Town's Accountability and Transparency Policy
We are committed to conducting business in an open, transparent and accountable manner, and have embedded these principles within our various policies, practices and procedures. We make every effort to provide you and the community with as much information as possible through this website. If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact the appropriate department or the Town Clerk’s Office.
Municipal Act Policies
Section 270 of the Municipal Act provides that municipalities must develop and maintain various policies regarding the accountability and transparency of municipal government and its operations.
Procedural By-law
A procedural bylaw was adopted by Council to establish the rules of order for Council and Committee meetings. The rules ensure a fair and consistent approach with respect to the consideration of Town business. The Procedural Bylaw also establishes standards in relation to notice provisions, agendas and minutes, resolutions and voting, Council-Committee structure and membership appointments. Please contact the Clerk's Department for the Town's Procedural By-Law.
Closed Meeting Protocol
The closed meeting protocol is established by the Ontario Municipal Act, 2001, Section 239.
Freedom of Information
The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
The fundamental purpose of the freedom of information process (FOI) is accountability to the public. The spirit is to create an open and accountable government by providing as much information as possible to the public, while ensuring that their personal privacy is protected.
The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) is a piece of legislation that gives individuals the right to request access to information, including most general records and records containing their own personal information maintained by the Town of Renfrew.
The Act also provides for the protection of personal information that has been collected by the municipality. The Act is based on the principles that:
• Information should be made available to the public;
• Individuals should have access to their own personal information;
• Exceptions to access should be limited and specific;
• The privacy of individuals with respect to the personal information the municipality collects and maintains shall be protected; and
• Decisions on access to government information may be appealed to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC/O).
Under the Legislation, the ‘Head’ of the Corporation is responsible for decisions made under the Act. For the Town of Renfrew, Town Council has delegated the responsibilities and powers of performing the duties as the ‘Head’ within the meaning of the Act to the Clerk.
Copies of the legislation are available on-line at the following websites:
The Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario
Ministry of Government Services
Municipal Conflict of Interest Act Requirements
Under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, The Corporation of the Town of Renfrew is required to establish a public registry wherein written statements of conflict of interest by Members of Council and Committee Members are maintained for public record.
Section 6.1 of the Act requires municipalities and local boards to establish and maintain registries that keep copies of statements filed under Section 5.1 and of declarations recorded under Section 6 of the Act.
The complete registry, which includes a copy of the written statements of conflict of interest, is available for viewing upon request to the Clerk's Department.
Carolynn Errett
Town Clerk
cerrett@renfrew.ca
613-432-4848 ext. 116
Related Downloads
- Conflict of Interest Registry 2023 (114 KB)