On November 16, 2016, Ontario legislators introduced the Modernizing Ontario's Legislation Act, 2016, also presently known as Bill 68. In its current form, Bill 68 proposes amendments to 16 pieces of legislation – including significant changes to the law's approach on both actual and potential conflicts of interest by public officials.
Most notably, Bill 68 proposes a larger role for municipally-appointed Integrity Commissioners – who would act as a point of first contact for council and local board members who have concerns over the possibility of acting in contravention of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. In theory, changes proposed under Bill 68 would reward members who seek direction from an Integrity Commissioner by reducing the likelihood of a severe penalty in the event that those members are found to have acted in conflict.
Bill 68 will continue to undergo further discussion and debate by legislators, and its proposed amendments may be revised before they are passed into law. We will be watching and reporting on its progress.
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