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Ontario Seeks Public Input on Proposed Regulations Under Municipal Accountability Act, 2025
Date: August 25, 2026
The Ontario government is seeking feedback from municipalities and other affected stakeholders on proposed regulations that would establish key operational details under Bill 9, Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 (Act). Comments and feedback on the contents are due by October 2, 2026, including those pertaining to the anticipated costs and benefits of implementing the proposal.
The government has also specifically requested input on the content of the standardized municipal code of conduct, and what content to include in the regulations under the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.
It is proposed that regulations would be in effect by the start of the new municipal council term on November 15, 2026.
The Act’s Impact
In Ontario’s Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 Receives Royal Assent, we wrote about the Act’s receipt of Royal Assent on June 2, 2026. As we noted then, it represents a significant shift in how municipal ethics are governed in Ontario, establishing a centralized and standardized accountability framework across all municipalities. This includes expanded provincial oversight, a standardized, mandatory training regime for locally appointed Integrity Commissioners and elected officials across the province, and a formal mechanism for removing elected officials from office in cases of serious misconduct. The Act also offers locally appointed Integrity Commissioners greater discretion to screen complaints.
Government’s Analysis of Proposed Regulations’ Potential Costs and Benefits
In its analysis of the regulatory impact of the proposed regulations, the government noted that that their implementation may involve potential costs and benefits.
The government stated that potential costs may be:
- time required for integrity commissioners, council and local board members, and municipal staff to become familiar with the new standardized code of conduct and inquiry processes
- time allocated by integrity commissioners to develop and deliver training materials
- time required for individuals to complete mandatory training
- municipal staff time needed to update local administrative and reporting procedures to align with new requirements and support transparency
The government stated that potential benefits may be:
- operational efficiency for municipal integrity commissioners by providing a uniform framework and standard inquiry process
- improved understanding of obligations and greater compliance
- reduced administrative duplication associated with developing and maintaining local codes of conduct
- greater consistency in code of conduct administration
- clarify expectations for elected officials and municipal staff
- overall public transparency
If you require further information about providing comments and feedback on the proposed regulations by October 2, 2026, please contact your Hicks Morley lawyer.
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. ©