Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest may arise for Councillors and the members of sub-committees appointed by Council when their personal or business interests clash with or affect the duties and decisions of the committee.

These members are required to adhere to the regulations of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, which contains strict rules regulating their participation in matters to which they have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. The onus to declare a conflict of interest lies with the member and not municipal staff.

Please review the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act for complete details. If you require further information, please contact the Clerk's Department at 905-468-3266.

*NEW*  Online Declaration Form 

Conflict of Interest Declaration Form

Declaration of Pecuniary Interest Registry

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires Members of Council to declare any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in relation to a matter under consideration. A pecuniary interest in a matter is one where there is a reasonable likelihood or expectation of financial loss or gain of the Member or related persons as per the Act. The onus to declare a pecuniary interest rests with the member and time for this process is allocated on every meeting agenda.

Changes to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act require municipalities to maintain a registry of all declarations made under this Act. The registry must include the original written declaration provided by the member of Council and must be available to the public. Effective December 2018, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has implemented this practice for Members of Council and where applicable, to Members of Committees and Boards.

A table of the registry is available below. This table is updated online following a Council meeting.

To view a copy of the forms submitted by Members of Council please contact the Clerk’s Office, any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Additional details can be obtained from the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.50.