By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Suzanne Craig, who was recently appointed to the role of Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Essex, took the time to introduce herself to Council at the December 1 meeting.
At the previous meeting, Council appointed Craig to the role, after accepting the resignation of former Integrity Commissioner, Bruce Elman, which was effective November 30.
Craig’s appointment is effective from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2027. There will be two options to extend for an additional two-years each extension. That means if Council approves the extensions in the future, she could remain in this role for up to six-years.
Craig thanked Council for giving her the opportunity to serve as Integrity Commissioner, and noted she plans to visit the area in-person to meet with everyone. She resides in Toronto.
“I believe the Code of Conduct belongs to Council,” Craig said. “It is a living document. It doesn’t rest forever, and it changes over time.”
That can be based on legislative changes, because there has been a significant code complaint, or to address best practices that come out of court, Craig added.
“I am an ethics resource. One of my duties… is to be an independent resource to Council,” she said, noting the role holder can be an important resource for ethical expertise.
An Integrity Commissioner provides significant profile to ethical issues inside government, “and sends an important message to your constituents about your commitment to ethical governance,” Craig added.
From time-to-time, she will develop info bulletins to guide Council and assist residents in understanding Council’s roles and responsibilities.
In her role, she will also conduct investigations based on complaints that believe an ethical violation has taken place.
“I see that as one of the less important roles and duties I have, because in my role as Integrity Commissioner, education and outreach is the most important,” Craig explained.
She intends to clarify to Council the rules of its Code of Conduct.
To ensure transparency in the work she does, she publishes an annual periodic report that sets out what she has done, outlines the number of code complaints she received, identifies if they were formal or informal, and if they have been settled, dismissed, or brought to Council’s attention. She also outlines any issues she believes are important to Council regarding matters that came to her office.
She also publishes the expenses of her office.
As of 2019, Craig noted Integrity Commissioners can receive an application to see if a Council member has breached the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. In the case it is believed a member has breached that, the enforcement goes through the courts, Craig added.
“I believe that an Integrity Commissioner is an independent officer, who operates at arm’s length of Council. But must keep present that she reports to Council. I report to you and I work for you on behalf of the public interest,” Craig said.
She is a lawyer by training, public servant by vocation, and collaborates with a group of professionals who work with her to provide legal advice and research to her consultancy.
While many may see the role of an Integrity Commissioner as punitive and only about investigating code complaints and recommending penalties, Craig views her role as “facilitating a clear understanding of what the Code is, but also what the Code is not. So, that you, your staff, and the public see the code, and my role as the facilitator, to help you understand your roles and responsibilities, and not an enabler of weaponizing the Code.”
In answering Councillor Kim Verbeek’s question if any ongoing issues that were being handled by the previous Integrity Commissioner would be passed on to her, Craig noted if there is an outstanding matter she will work with the outgoing Integrity Commissioner or Town staff. She does not believe there are, and said there will be a seamless transition.
Joe Malandruccolo, Director of Legal and Legislative Services, noted the previous Integrity Commissioner is to transfer any ongoing matters onto the new role holder. He will contact Elman and ensure that is coordinated if there are.
