Statutes and Policies

Legislated Requirements for Open Government

Accountability is the principle that the municipality will be responsible to its stakeholders for decisions made and policies implemented, as well as its actions or inactions.

Transparency is the principle that the municipality actively encourages and fosters stakeholder participation and openness in its decision-making processes and that the decision-making process is open and clear to the public.

Provincial Regulation

The City of Greater Sudbury is governed by provincial statutes that provide legislated responsibilities to conduct municipal business in an accountable and transparent manner:

Financial Accountability

The City of Greater Sudbury follows policies, procedures and practices for financial accountability, financial oversight and public reporting.

The city's Finance Department is responsible for the financial integrity of the corporation, and as such, is viewed as the financial steward of the corporation. The department delivers high quality financial services through five sections: Accounting, Taxation, Financial Planning and Budgeting, Purchasing and Financial Support Services.

Performance Measurement

The City of Greater Sudbury measures progress on performance and the achievement of corporate service standards and goals using the following tools:

Internal Governance

The municipality's administrative practices ensure accountability on the part of its employees and elected officials through the following initiatives and policies:

Public Engagement

The City of Greater Sudbury ensures that it is open and accountable to its stakeholders through processes that outline how, when and under what rules meetings can take place. The city's meetings are open to the public as required under the Municipal Act, 2001 and citizens have opportunities to appear as a delegation or to submit comments in writing on specific items. In addition, the city has policies which ensure that public participation can be meaningful and effective, through timely disclosure of information.

Next Steps:

Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, has received Royal Assent. Portions of the Bill specific to municipalities will come into effect on January 1, 2016. The Bill directly impacts the City of Greater Sudbury in three ways:

  • The new provincially appointed Patient Ombudsman will receive and investigate unresolved complaints regarding patient care at Pioneer Manor.
  • The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act has been amended and records must be maintained in accordance with statute.
  • The role and responsibility of the Ontario Ombudsman has been significantly expanded with a broad mandate to investigate any decision, recommendation, act or omission in the course of the administration of a public sector body.