No punishment is coming to Deputy Mayor Sue Dunfield as the integrity commissioner didn’t find fault in her booking business class train tickets for herself and three fellow Rideau Lakes councillors to a conference.
The complaint, filed on September 16, alleged Dunfield breached the rules by booking business-class VIA Rail tickets for herself and three other council members for a January 18–21 conference in Toronto.
Dunfield had used her personal credit card to purchase the tickets because the township’s corporate card was unavailable, and she later claimed the full amount.
Integrity Commissioner Ellen Fry’s investigation confirmed the tickets were more expensive than economy-class fares and exceeded what the Township’s remuneration by-law considers the “most economical transportation rate.” Fry estimated the difference at roughly $90 per person.
However, she found that the by-law governs how much the Township reimburses, not what a councillor is permitted to claim.
While Dunfield submitted the full business-class cost, Fry concluded it was the Township’s responsibility to cap reimbursement at the economy-rate equivalent if required.
Councillor Paula Banks said this investigation was another of a long-list of fruitless pursuits.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom provided his opinion.
Hoogenboom claims he’s not once booked business travel in his political career.
Fry also noted that although Dunfield was aware of the by-law’s requirement for economical travel, she may have misunderstood fare pricing, and there was no evidence she intended to circumvent the rules.
“Accordingly, I conclude that Councillor Dunfield did not contravene the Code of Conduct,” Fry wrote in her November 25 decision.
Story by Grant Deme
