Numerous Ontario municipalities are seeking a new Integrity Commissioner following the unexpected and sudden retirement of Robert Swayze.
During the past week, Swayze’s retirement has been reported on in Ingersoll, Erin, Belleville, and Tillsonburg.
The stories state John Mascarin has assumed Swayze’s contracts.
Swayze was one of Ontario’s first municipal integrity commissioners.
In the days before ICs became mandatory under the Municipal Act, reforming municipal councils often hired Swayze to signal that they were serious about their election promises to restore honesty and integrity.
Swayze took a zero-tolerance approach to ‘chaos prevailing over municipal business.’
This often resulted in councils firing him.
I often cite a 2016 report in the Town of Essex as an encapsulation of Swayne’s no-nonsense approach.
In dealing with a councillor’s conduct violation, Swayne advised the Mayor to “speak to his daughter for the good of the Town and request her not to attend the meetings if she intends to continue goading Councillor Voakes.”
In 2019, Swayze sat down with Adam Donaldson for a full-length podcast.
During the 38-minute interview, Swayze explains his approach and philosophy.
Swayze Created A Standard Most Follow Today
There are no standards or rules governing Ontario’s municipal integrity commissioner.
Municipal councils are free to hire anyone to be an integrity commissioner. Most municipalities hire an independent lawyer, but there are exceptions.
Swayze’s strong, no-nonsense approach made him an outliner in the early days. At times, he seemed to wear being fired as a badge of honour.
[Sudbury’s scandal-plagued Council recently voted 7-6 to terminate its IC, in an act of retaliation by numerous councillors whose wrongdoing was sanctioned.]
Swayze’s work influences the reports written today by David Boghosian, Tony Fleming, John Mascarin, and Guy Giorno.
In law, there is no greater compliment than having your rulings favourably cited by other jurists.
By that measure, Swayze’s legacy is undisputed – he created the standard for municipal integrity.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: February 23, 2025
Last updated: February 23, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version