By Dan Jones LJI
Northumberland 89.7 FM
Alnwick/Haldimand Township council is scrambling to find a new Integrity Commissioner, after abruptly ending the current contract with Principles Integrity effective mid-June.
Council debated a bylaw on May 26 to hire an interim third party to act as the Integrity Commission until next February. The bylaw faced immediate pushback as Mayor John Logel struggled to get the bylaw into debate, as there was reluctance from Councillors Greg Booth and Mary Catherine O’Neil to second a motion for the debate brought forward by Deputy Mayor Joan Stover. Councillor Mike Ainsworth was absent from the meeting. Logel would second the motion to begin the bylaw debate.
Two weeks ago, Council received a complaint report from Principles Integrity, which put the wheels in motion to find a new Integrity Commissioner.
In May of 2025, a complaint was lodged that the Township failed to properly disclose resignation letters from members of voluntary boards and committees. Those letters were brought forward in closed session but not released to the public. Logel said today that the move to closed session was the recommendation of Clerk Emily Cartlidge, as the letters contain personal information.
However, the Integrity Commissioner’s report concluded that resignation letters can have personal information redacted and then released to the public.
“We have completed our investigation into the Complaint. Based upon our assessment of the evidence, the Resignation Letters did not meet the requirement of an exception to the open meeting rules of the Municipal Act, 2001, or of the Township’s Procedure By-law. It is our recommendation that the Resignation Letters should be redacted for personal information and then added to an upcoming regular Council Meeting Agenda,” said the Integrity Commissioners’ report.
On May 19, one week later, Cartlidge prepared a staff report presented to the Committee of the Whole to terminate the services of Principles Integrity.
“That Committee of the Whole recommends to Council at the May 26, 2026 Municipal Planning / Regular Council Meeting that the Ontario Ombudsman be recognized as the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand’s Closed Meeting Investigator; That a by-law be brought forward to the May 26, 2026 Municipal Planning / Regular Council Meeting for Council consideration to appoint ADR Chambers as the Township’s Interim Integrity Commissioner,” Cartridge’s report explained.
However, following debate at council today, the recommended bylaw was defeated. In a recorded vote, Booth and O’Neil voted against, while Logel and Stover voted in favour. Ainsworth was absent. A tie defeats a motion.
One resignation letter obtained by Northumberland 89.7 FM News was from Jim McCormack of the Parks and Recreation Committee, dated April 29, 2025.
“It is with regret that I submit my formal resignation from the Parks and Recreation Committee effective immediately. I have made this difficult decision as a result of the recent changes to the Terms of Reference approved by Council which I do not support. In particular, the inclusion of the Nawautin Nature Sanctuary under this portfolio as I am of the opinion that it should remain as a standalone Committee to focus specifically on the future of the sanctuary. In addition, I do not support the shift of focus from an Advisory Committee to more of a working committee. It is unfortunate that this path has been chosen and at a time where council is well past the midway point of its term. It is also unfortunate that the former committee did not have the opportunity to discuss the eventual recommendations brought forward as the Committee had not been given the opportunity to meet since this past October.”
Following today’s council meeting, Logel said it is still Cartlidge’s belief not to release the redacted resignation letters.
“Our Clerk is experienced, and she knows what she is doing, and she recommended that it not be publicly released,” said Logel.
He explained there is frustration with Principles Integrity on the length of investigations, and that the resignation report played a part in the attempt to obtain a new investigator. He adds Council is not looking for a more favourable Integrity Commissioner, but could not say what would happen if Council did not have an interim in place by June 16.
Logel confirmed that approximately 11-15 volunteers have resigned from committees and boards this term. Asked for his opinion on the resignation rate, Logel responded that those people “don’t like the rules.”
Logel concluded by expressing appreciation for volunteers’ contributions and encouraging them to remain involved.
Listen to the interview with Mayor John Logel:
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