Office of the Integrity Commissioner

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Establishment of the Integrity Office

On September 5, 2018, City Council approved the contractual hiring of Edmonton's first Integrity Commissioner and Ethics Advisor. Together, their positions form an independent Integrity Office, which is focused on supporting elected officials to maintain the high level of integrity that they and the public expect, as well as receiving complaints under the Council Code of Conduct.

The Integrity Office will help ensure the Council Code of Conduct is followed. It will support the City's commitment and efforts to provide open and transparent government. It is a proactive step by the City Council to ensure an independent party investigates complaints regarding Councillors' conduct and ethics, and to provide advisory services to Councillors to support high standards that the Council expects of itself.

Roles and Responsibilities

Integrity Commissioner

To receive and investigate potential breaches of the Council Code of Conduct
To work with the Ethics Advisor to provide proactive services to Council

Jamie Pytel

Jamie Pytel became the City’s first Integrity Commissioner in September 2018.

Ms. Pytel has been a practicing lawyer for over 30 years in both corporate and private practice. Her focus is on:

Investigations
Conflict resolution
Development and administration of codes of conduct
Governance and ethics issues involving elected officials, boards and councils

In addition to B.A. and Law Degree, Ms. Pytel has a Masters in Business Administration and is a member of the International Association of Workplace Investigators.

Ethics Advisor

Provide legal advice to Councillors regarding individual ethics and policy, as well as provide educational programs and materials
To work with the Integrity Commissioner to provide proactive services to Council

Brent Rathgeber

Brent Rathgeber became the City’s first Ethics Advisor in September 2018.

Brent has been a practicing lawyer since 1991 and his areas of expertise include:

Alternative dispute resolution
Mediation
Employment law
Democratic governance

He understands the complexities and demands of being a public official through 11 years as a Member of Parliament and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. He also believes that transparency and accountability are integral to good governance and looks forward to promoting these principles with the elected members of Edmonton City Council.

Filing a Complaint with the Integrity Commissioner

If you believe a Councillor has contravened the Council Code of Conduct, you may make a written complaint to the Integrity Commissioner.

Written complaints must include the following:

The provisions of the Council Code of Conduct allegedly contravened and the facts surrounding the allegation, including any witnesses
The name of the Councillor(s) alleged to have contravened the Council Code of Conduct; and
Your name and contact information

For your convenience, a Complaint Form is provided.

Complaints can also be submitted by email to integrity.commissioner@edmonton.ca or delivered to:

Integrity Commissioner
c/o Office of the City Clerk
3rd Floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7

Your complaint must be received not later than 60 days after the date you became aware of the conduct giving rise to the complaint.

Refer to Schedule B of Council Code of Conduct Bylaw 18483 for further details on the complaint submission process, as well as information on the investigation and reporting of complaints.

Investigation Reports

2216-2222
2101, 2104, 2106, 2107, 2109, 2111
2001-2010

Contact Us

Office of the City Clerk

3rd floor, City Hall
1 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7

Email	city.clerk@edmonton.ca
Phone	780-496-8178
Fax	780-496-8175