Conflict on the radar, again

Posted by Magda

The issue of conflict of interest seems a hot one on council lately. It came up again today, less than a week after a conflict seminar for councillors.

During discussion of seniors condos to be built by St. Joseph's, a resident of that area accused Councillor Kathleen Farrelly of being in a position of conflict because she sits on the board of St. Joseph's. Farrelly asked for legal advice from staff, but Mayor Karen Farbridge told her she can't get any -- when it comes to conflict, it's up to a councillor to decide for him or herself, perhaps with help from a privately retained lawyer.

Council later recessed for a few minutes while Farbridge talked to Farrelly. When the meeting resumed, Farrelly explained that she is council's representative on the board of St. Joe's, and does not stand to benefit from any discussion about the buildings.

"Therefore it would be quite obvious to me that I don't have a pecuniary interest," she concluded.

Comments

[D1&OnlyMichaelStevenWizardWisniewskiD1st]

Council behaviour should be monitored by the electorate. If a councillor ever serves an interest counter to the electorate's, consequences should be meted out by those who employ the councillor in question, not by some provincial code, drafted in Toronto, that is out of touch with the needs of each individual municipality.

[Karen]

Councillors sit on various boards as representatives of Council as part of their mandate. This is not new. Why Did Farrelly need to have this explained to her by the Mayor. Could she not address this queston by a constituent without looking for someone elses help. I am less then impressed by my ward's Councillor to-date. People in these positions should not need to have their hand held consistently.