Sudbury nears decision on hiring new integrity commissioner

Meeting next week, city council in Greater Sudbury will decide whether to hire a recommended firm to become the city's new integrity commissioner.

A report headed to city council in Greater Sudbury next week recommends hiring a group called Principles Integrity as the city’s new integrity commissioner.

The company was formed in 2017 by Jeffrey A. Abrams and Janice Atwood, around the time the province mandated municipalities must have integrity commissioners.

Previously, Abrams was city clerk in Vaughan and began his career as a solicitor in the pre-amalgamation Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto.

Atwood has been city solicitor in Hamilton and Vaughan.

“Both have abundant training and experience in law, municipal government, governance, ethical behaviours, investigations, coaching and legislative drafting,” according to the company’s website.

Former commissioner was fired

Greater Sudbury fired its former integrity commissioner, David Boghosian, in November after he wrote several reports critical of members of city council.

Mayor Paul Lefebvre said at the time that some councillors felt Boghosian made too many comments in his investigations that weren’t necessary.

“Certainly, the reports that were received, there were lots of editorializing and a lot of commenting,” said Lefebvre.

“Some integrity commissioners like to certainly provide more of their opinions and their perspectives. That is their choice. Certainly, I think for some councillors that is what pushed them over to make this decision.”

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With Boghosian’s term ending next month, time is running out for city council to replace him. A request for proposals elicited six bids, and each was evaluated based on criteria such as experience, knowledge of municipal governance and the “ability to develop trust, engage in respectful interaction and maintain credibility with city council, staff and media.”

Made the final cut

Groups that scored highest were interviewed, with ADR Chambers Inc. and Principles Integrity making the final list.

“Based on the cumulative score from the evaluation process which included the technical proposal, the financial proposal and the interview, Principles Integrity was identified as the successful proponent scoring the highest among the proposals received,” said a staff report on the process.

It currently serves as the integrity commissioner for more than 60 municipalities, including Windsor, Mississauga, Hamilton and Collingwood.

Council will vote on the appointment at its meeting April 29. If approved, Principles Integrity would begin its five-year term May 13.

Read the full report here.