Accountability and Transparency

We share information about our actions and decisions to build and maintain trust. We are responsible for our choices and we want you to know that your voice is heard as we work together for the community's well-being. 

Privacy

Privacy statement: We will adhere to all applicable legislation regarding privacy and freedom of information. The City of Kingston is subject to Ontario's Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56 ("MFIPPA"), as amended and other privacy legislation. Users should be aware that personal and other information contained in posts, messages and comments directed to the City of Kingston are subject to MFIPPA and may be released under this legislation. The anonymity or confidentiality of the sender and any information contained within the correspondence cannot be presumed or relied upon.

Freedom of information

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) in Ontario grants individuals the right to access records of information, including their own personal data, held by a local government institution.

The City Clerk and The Corporate Records and Information Officer have been delegated the responsibility to act as the Heads of the City with respect to MFIPPA. 

Request information access 

If you would like to make a formal access to information request under MFIPPA, you need to submit a written request using the MFIPPA Access/Correction Form.

There is a $5 application fee to make a MFIPPA request. Depending on your request, additional fees may also be applicable. The Act and its regulations outline the rules for fee payment and the specific amounts. 

The City is required to make a decision or request an extension within 30 days from receiving a formal request.

When you request your own information, it is called a "Personal Information Request". There could be fees for these requests, such as: 

    • Application fee: $5 (paid when you submit your request) 
    • Photocopying: $0.20 per page 
    • Computer programming: $15 for each half-hour if needed to develop a program to retrieve information 
    • CD or Memory stick: $10

If you are requesting information about someone else or about a City program, it is called a "General Information Request". These requests have different fees compared to personal information requests, and the fees for general information requests are: 

    • Application fee: $5 (paid when you submit your request) 
    • Search time: $7.50 for every 15 minutes needed to find records 
    • Record preparation: $7.50 for every 15 minutes required to get records ready for you 
    • Photocopying: $0.20 per page 
    • Computer programming: $15 for each half-hour if a program is needed to get the information 
    • Disks: $10 for each disk 
    • You will get an estimate if the fees are expected to be more than $25. If the estimated fees are $100 or more, you might need to pay a 50 per cent deposit. 

Other Fees: 

    • N.S.F. (Non-Sufficient Funds) cheques: $25 
    • Appeals - General: $25 
    • Appeals - Personal: $10 

Mayor’s special powers and responsibilities

The Mayor has had special responsibilities outlined in the Municipal Act. You can see all Mayoral Decisions on Open Data Kingston.

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires the Mayor to disclose any financial interests when using specific powers and duties. This disclosure involves submitting a written statement of interest to the City Clerk, specifying its general nature. The Mayor cannot use their authority in such matters and must refrain from attempting to influence decisions related to them.

The following powers that the Mayor can delegate: 

    • Appoint and remove the Chief Administrative Officer and heads of organizational units
    • Decide how the City's administration is organized
    • Form committees of Council and appoint their chairs and vice-chairs

The following powers that cannot be delegated: 

    • Present matters to Council or veto bylaws if the Mayor believes it supports a Provincial Priority
    • Create the budget and present it to Council, subject to Council's changes, Mayoral veto, and a Council override process
    • Give written directions to City staff

We are required by the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to maintain a registry of Council members' declarations of financial interests, which includes written statements.

Pecuniary interest or financial interest data is now available on Open Data Kingston. This platform offers customization options for viewing and interacting with the data, such as filtering, searching and mapping it according to your preferences.

Code of conduct  

Our Council, and staff are actively working to enhance transparency, accountability and openness, consistent with provincial goals for accessible and understandable municipal governance.  

We have established a Code of Conduct for council members and an independent Integrity Commissioner has been appointed to oversee its enforcement. 

The Integrity Commissioner provides accountability services to us.

The Integrity Commissioner: 

    • Provides advice on the application of the Code of Conduct, City policies, complaint procedures, and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, addressing inquiries regarding potential violations. 
    • Conducts inquiries into alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, either as directed by Council or independently. 
    • Guides Council members, upon request, regarding their responsibilities under these regulations. 
    • Offers opinions on policy issues and presents reports to our Council on ethics and integrity concerns. 
    • Delivers educational resources and training on ethics and integrity matters to council, members, and the public. 
    • Provides general information to the public on the Code of Conduct, the complaint process and available complaint resolution services. 
    • Maintains the integrity commissioner's complaint and inquiry records, transferring open files for ongoing matters to the next Integrity Commissioner upon completing their term. 
    • Provides additional services related to ethics and integrity as delegated by our Council or required by the Municipal Act, 2001. 

Complaint protocol 

Any person who believes a member has violated the Code of Conduct or the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act may submit a written complaint. The complaint should be signed, dated, and include: 

    • Identifiable individual as the complainant
    • Reasonable and probable grounds supporting the allegation of a member's violation of the Code of Conduct or the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

City Council or a committee of Council can also file a complaint by passing a resolution to request an inquiry by the Integrity Commissioner. 

Learn more about the Complaint Procedures.

Informal complaints offer a way to address behaviour or activities that might breach the Code of Conduct. Parties involved are encouraged to consider the Integrity Commissioner as a potential mediator or conciliator to help resolve the issues related to a complaint.

For detailed information on how formal complaints are handled, please refer to the complete complaint protocol. When you are submitting a formal complaint, be sure to include the following details: 

    • Name of the municipality
    • Complainant's name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address
    • Nature and background of the specific incident
    • Any steps taken, if any, to address the issue
    • Any additional relevant information

Contact Us

City of Kingston
City Hall
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3
Canada
contactus@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-0000
Fax: 613-546-7816

The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.

Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.

Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.

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