Civility and Decorum on Owen Sound Council Agenda Following Integrity Commissioner's Report
An Integrity Commissioner report found no bullying between Owen Sound councillors but raised concerns about decorum and recommends training.
Questions of civility and decorum at Owen Sound council are back on the agenda Monday night following the release of an Integrity Commissioner report stemming from a complaint between two councillors.
The report, prepared by Principles Integrity, concludes that Councillor Marion Koepke did not engage in a pattern of bullying, but did breach the City’s Code of Conduct in a single instance of “minor incivility.”
The finding relates to comments made during a September 2025 meeting regarding the renaming of Ryerson Park. Other incidents cited in the complaint — including allegations of disparaging remarks, eye rolling and a physical interaction — were not found to amount to inappropriate behaviour or a pattern of bullying.
That physical interaction between the two councillors—described by witnesses as a “tap,” “nudge,” or “swat”—was found to be non-violent and not a breach of the Code of Conduct.
Owen Sound’s Code of Conduct says council members are held to a higher standard of behaviour and must act with integrity, transparency and respect for the public, one another and staff.
On conduct specifically, it requires members to behave with decorum at meetings and “at all times,” in line with the City’s procedural bylaw, and says they must help create an atmosphere conducive to respectful debate and decision-making.
The code also bars abuse, bullying and intimidation, applies the City’s workplace harassment and violence policies to councillors, and requires members to treat each other, staff and the public with decorum, dignity and respect in media and social media communications, as well.
The complaint was filed in October 2025 by Councillor Jon Farmer and referenced eight incidents over several years.
Beyond the individual complaint, the report points to broader issues at council, including what it describes as a lack of shared understanding around appropriate decorum, as well as ongoing frustration among members related to meeting conduct.
Investigators noted concerns raised by councillors about behaviour during meetings, including speaking out of turn, repetitive questioning, and side conversations. The report suggests that stricter adherence to the City’s procedural bylaw—particularly by the meeting chair—could help address some of those issues.
It also highlights tensions between councillors, including a strained working relationship between Koepke and Farmer, which investigators say worsened after a 2025 seating change placed them beside one another.
The report further references concerns raised during the investigation about dress and conduct at council, including questions around what constitutes appropriate attire.
While identifying these broader issues, the Integrity Commissioner’s formal recommendations are limited.
The report does not recommend any financial penalty or sanction. Instead, it calls for council-wide training on appropriate conduct, decorum, and how to handle instances of minor incivility.
Under Ontario’s municipal accountability framework, integrity commissioners investigate complaints and make recommendations, but enforcement powers are limited. Council itself is responsible for deciding whether to impose any penalties, which can include a reprimand or up to 90 days’ pay suspension, and in some cases other corrective measures.
In this case, the commissioner explicitly states that a monetary penalty “does not serve a purpose,” given the finding of a single, non-egregious breach.
In previous reporting, Principles Integrity has described its function not as holding elected officials to account or recommending punishment, but as serving “as an independent resource, coach, and guide, focused on enhancing the municipality’s ethical culture.”
Recent activity outlined by the firm has included training sessions for council, responding to requests for advice from members, and limited complaint investigations.
The City of Owen Sound renewed its contract with Principles Integrity in 2024 through to the end of 2028. The agreement includes an annual retainer of $1,200 and an hourly rate of $275 for additional services, including investigations, training, and policy work.
In this case, the primary outcome of the complaint is a recommendation that council members receive additional training on conduct and decorum, with the Integrity Commissioner suggesting it could be delivered either by a third-party provider or by Principles Integrity.
Council is expected to review the report and determine next steps at tonight’s meeting.
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