Statutes and Policies
Legislated Requirements for Open Government
Accountability is the principle that the municipality will be responsible to its stakeholders for decisions made and policies implemented, as well as its actions or inactions.
Transparency is the principle that the municipality actively encourages and fosters stakeholder participation and openness in its decision-making processes and that the decision-making process is open and clear to the public.
Provincial Regulation
The City of Greater Sudbury is governed by provincial statutes that provide legislated responsibilities to conduct municipal business in an accountable and transparent manner:
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
- Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014
- Bill 168, Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act (Violence and Harassment in the Workplace) 2009
- Municipal Act, 2001
- Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
- Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- Office of the Ontario Ombudsman
- Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004
- Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13
- Provincial Offences Act
- Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996
- Statutory Powers Procedure Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.22
Financial Accountability
The City of Greater Sudbury follows policies, procedures and practices for financial accountability, financial oversight and public reporting.
The city's Finance Department is responsible for the financial integrity of the corporation, and as such, is viewed as the financial steward of the corporation. The department delivers high quality financial services through five sections: Accounting, Taxation, Financial Planning and Budgeting, Purchasing and Financial Support Services.
- Annual Financial Report and Audited Financial Statements
- Budget Process
- External Auditor and Report
- Finance Strategic Plan
- Financial Forecasts
- Long-Term Financial Plan
- Office of the Auditor General
- Operating and Capital Budget Status Reports
- Purchasing By-law 2014-1 and related amendment 2014-158
- Sale of land and other assets
Performance Measurement
The City of Greater Sudbury measures progress on performance and the achievement of corporate service standards and goals using the following tools:
- Participation in the Municipal Performance Measurement Program
- Participation in the BMA Management Consulting Inc. municipal comparative study
- Participation in the Quality of Life Reporting System (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)
Internal Governance
The municipality's administrative practices ensure accountability on the part of its employees and elected officials through the following initiatives and policies:
- 3-1-1 Citizen Service
- Citizen Service Policy
- City of Greater Sudbury Charter
- Code of Ethics
- Council Expense and Healthy Community Initiative Fund Policy
- An amendment to the City of Greater Sudbury Employee Handbook providing “whistle-blower” protection for municipal employees is available here.
- French Language Services Policy
- Open Data Portal
- Remuneration By-law 2016-15F
- Strategic Plans
- Use of City of Greater Sudbury Vehicles Policy
- Vision, Mission and Values
Public Engagement
The City of Greater Sudbury ensures that it is open and accountable to its stakeholders through processes that outline how, when and under what rules meetings can take place. The city's meetings are open to the public as required under the Municipal Act, 2001 and citizens have opportunities to appear as a delegation or to submit comments in writing on specific items. In addition, the city has policies which ensure that public participation can be meaningful and effective, through timely disclosure of information.
- City of Greater Sudbury By-Law 2007-299, a Policy Regarding Accountability and Transparency and a Policy Regarding Delegation of Powers and Duties
- Civic Petitions
- Community Delegations
- Livestream of Greater Sudbury Council and Committee of Council Meetings
- Procedure By-law 2011-235 with related amendments 2014-256, 2014-120, 2012-168, 2012-131, and 2012-18.
- Public Distribution of Council and Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
- Public Notice By-law
Next Steps:
Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, has received Royal Assent. Portions of the Bill specific to municipalities will come into effect on January 1, 2016. The Bill directly impacts the City of Greater Sudbury in three ways:
- The new provincially appointed Patient Ombudsman will receive and investigate unresolved complaints regarding patient care at Pioneer Manor.
- The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act has been amended and records must be maintained in accordance with statute.
- The role and responsibility of the Ontario Ombudsman has been significantly expanded with a broad mandate to investigate any decision, recommendation, act or omission in the course of the administration of a public sector body.