Last night, council received our first Integrity Report from Suzanne Craig, our newly appointed Integrity Commissioner.
The report concerns a closed meeting held this April, during which the CAO spent above a limit explicitly set by council direction. The complaint alleges that when this came to light in the meeting, Councillor Graham and I “exploded” in response—with “yelling and accusations.” The complainant speculates that we were frustrated over an earlier refusal to debate a motion about Strong Mayor Powers, and that our concerns toward the CAO were an inappropriate emotional spillover.
In her investigation, Ms. Craig found no evidence of shouting or personal attacks. However, she concluded that the number and tone of our questions—asked perhaps too rapidly, and implying criticism—amounted to conduct warranting reprimand. She recommended that Councillor Graham and I each write a letter of apology to the CAO.
I don’t deny asking many questions—and in some cases, repeating them—especially when initial responses from the CAO avoided the concerns raised. My tone and volume were appropriate, and I never deviated into personal remarks.
If I had shouted, or made personal remarks, I would feel a genuine need to apologize. But I cannot in good conscience apologize for asking hard questions on behalf of the community—questions that arose from a clear departure from council direction and financial limits. If that made anyone uncomfortable, I understand. I offer my empathy and regret for anyone sitting with discomfort. But discomfort is not always a result of wrongdoing. Truth is often uncomfortable, and when we elect leaders, we do so in the hope that they have the stomach to face it and the backbone to speak it.
When I spoke to council last night, I addressed how we—as a council—can prevent future incidents of this kind. Early in 2023, I brought forward two motions aimed at improving accountability: one to record closed sessions (to reduce the time and cost of investigations and improve accuracy), and another to have closed reports provided in writing, as the rest of our agenda is. That would allow councillors to prepare questions and submit them in advance. Both motions were rejected at the time, but it’s never too late for council to reconsider those decisions.
I know many of you have read the report from the agenda. Attached below, you’ll find the statements I made throughout the process: first upon being informed of the complaint, then in response to the draft findings, and finally, my statement to Ms. Herd and to council last night outlining my position.
Thank you all for your love and support as I do my best to serve Central Elgin.
Tonality and asking too many questions shouldn’t even be a concern or issue. Let’s not get away from the root of the situation which was accountability and truth. The people are what matters and their tax dollars being transparent.
There should be no reprimand for transparency and accountability. Targeting the wrong individual because someone exposed truth.