Rideau Lakes council discusses the integrity commissioner's report at the August 12, 2024 Municipal Services Committee meeting
Rideau Lakes Township is not making a recent integrity commissioner’s report into one of their councillors public, at least for now, opening themselves up to possible legal trouble.
Members of council voted against a motion earlier this month to have the report made public at their September 3rd council meeting, and no further action will take place as a result of the report.
The Integrity Commissioner is an impartial third party which investigates possible violations of Council Code of Conduct or the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Councillors Jeff and Paula Banks, Sue Dunfield, Ron Pollard, and Deborah Anne Hutchings all voted against including the report on the agenda.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom, Deputy Mayor Marica Maxwell, and Councillor Joan Delaney voted in favour of including the report at the meeting.
Councillor Linda Carr declared a conflict of interest and did not vote.
Attending the meeting remotely, Paula Banks shared her thoughts on the investigation.
What triggered the initial investigation is not known as the manner was discussed in-camera.
Ontario municipalities are legally allowed to discuss potential litigation matters, as well as matters pertaining to identifiable members of town staff or council in-camera and away from the public eye.
These sessions are followed with a “rise and report,” when council returns from in-camera, where the mayor or reeve briefly touch on the types of matters discussed, but steering clear from specifics.
CAO Shellee Fournier made the Township’s legal obligations around the integrity commissioner’s report clear.
Jeff Banks suggested an amendment to receive the report and make copies available at the Rideau Lakes offices, but that did not gain any traction.
This is the second time Rideau Lakes council has been investigated by the integrity commissioner’s office this year, which recommended Paula Banks have her pay suspended for three weeks after she was found to be in violation of three sections of the Township’s Code of Conduct in the spring.
In Banks’ case, the report was made public and council voted against the commissioner’s recommendation.
Story by Grant Deme