Legislative History: Adopted July 24, 2018 (By-law No. CPOL.-377-458)
Last Review Date: July 25, 2023
Service Area Lead: City Clerk
1. Policy Statement
1.1 This policy sets out the requirements for the public release of information pertaining to investigations undertaken by the Ontario Ombudsman.
2. Definitions
2.1 Not applicable.
3. Applicability
3.1 This policy shall apply to all investigations undertaken by the Ontario Ombudsman pertaining to the business of The Corporation of the City of London.
4. The Policy
4.1 Notification of Commencement of an Investigation by Ontario Ombudsman
a) Upon written notification from the Ontario Ombudsman of the intent to commence an investigation related to a matter under the Ontario Ombudsman’s jurisdiction, the City Clerk, or their designate, shall advise Members of Council of the investigation by email, with a copy to the City Manager.
b) After Members of Council have been advised of the Ontario Ombudsman’s intent to conduct an investigation, the City Clerk, or their designate, shall notify the public that the City of London has received notice of an Ombudsman investigation and the general nature of the complaint, by posting the information on the City of London’s website.
c) In accordance with section 18(2) of the Ombudsman Act R.S.O. 1990 c.O.6, no further details of the investigation shall be released to the public, in order to uphold the legislated privacy requirements.
4.2 Receipt of Final Report
a) Upon receipt of the Final Report of the Ontario Ombudsman regarding an investigation, the City Clerk, or their designate, shall circulate the Final Report to Members of Council by email, with a copy to the City Manager.
b) After Members of Council have been provided a copy of the Final Report, the City Clerk, or their designate, shall provide a copy of the Final Report to the public by posting the Final Report on the City of London’s website.
c) The City Clerk, or their designate, will make the necessary arrangements to place the Final Report on the next available appropriate Standing Committee Agenda for formal consideration and receipt by the Municipal Council.