Brief Advice:

In my previous Reports to Council, I had subsumed cases of "Brief Advice" under the rubric "Brief Service" without differentiating the types of "service" being provided. After the 2018 Municipal Election, I decided to separate these cases into distinct categories – "Brief Advice" and Brief Service". Therefore, from November 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2019, there were nineteen (19) instances of Brief Advice. These represent occasions where, in my opinion, advice could be provided immediately or in a very short period of time, and where no File need be opened. These are instances where, once again in my opinion, neither extensive research nor lengthy consideration is necessary. Formal Letters of Advice are not provided except where the Member requests one. So far, this seems to have worked well. It is prompt, efficient, and less expensive than where a Request for Advice is made and a formal Letter of Advice is issued. [Update: Between January 1st and June 30th, 2020, there have been two other instances of Brief Advice.]

Observations

In my view, there has been a general and pronounced increase in the number of occasions – formal Requests and Brief instances – where my advice is sought. This is very positive. First, it indicates that those subject to the Code of Conduct are generally aware of its contents, are accustomed to thinking about their conduct in the context of its provisions, and genuinely wish to comply with its terms. This bodes well for the future now that Integrity Commissioners are expected to provide advice on the provisions of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act (MCIA).

PART IV – INQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS

Cases Carried Forward:

There were two Complaints carried forward from the previous year.