Calgary hires integrity commissioner, ethics adviser in a first for cities in Western Canada

In a first for a city in Western Canada, Calgary has hired an independent ethics commissioner, in addition to an ethics adviser, to helpguide and investigate city councillors' actions and decision making.

AllenSulatycky, a former MP and Court of Queen's Benchjustice in Alberta,was named as the integrity commissioner.

AliceWoolleywas appointed asethics adviser. She currently serves as associate dean (academic) with theFaculty of Law at theUniversityof Calgary.

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"This is an important step forward to improve openness, transparency, and accountability at city hall," Mayor Naheed Nenshi said in a release announcing the hires.

Both the integrity commissioner and ethics adviser are part-time positions. They are to provide their first report council by June 2016.

The commissioner a first for any city or town in Albertawill have the power to investigate conflict of interest allegations by city council members as well as any complaints of misconduct.

The ethics adviser, meanwhile, will advise council members on questions about city council policies or ethical situations they may find themselves in.

• AUDIO | Calgary's new ethics adviser Alice Woolley explains her role

"Right now, if a councillor faced an ethical or legal question, they'd have to retain outside counsel. NowI'll be able to give them that advice," said Woolley.

"My job ishopefully to stop problems happening before they happen."

Sulatycky was elected as the MP for Rocky Mountain in 1968 and served as parliamentary secretary to several ministers. He wasappointed to the Court of Queen's Bench in 1982.

He became associate chief justice of the Court of Queen's Bench in 2000, a position he retired from in 2004.

Woolleypreviously served as a law clerk toChief Justice Antonio Lamer of the Supreme Court of Canada and has practised at several large Calgary law firms. She has also writtennumerous books, articlesand commentaries, and has been a frequent presenter on ethics and other topics.

She serves as president of the Canadian Association of Legal Ethics and, in 2015, was named one of Canada's top 25 most influential lawyers byby Canadian Lawyer magazine.

"Professor Woolley and Mr. Sulatycky will provide excellent oversight and support for city council, and I know they will serve Calgarians well in their roles," Nenshi said.

With files from The Homestretch