ELORA – Neither Mayor Shawn Watters nor councillor Kim Jefferson breached the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act nor council’s Code of Conduct when they voted on Centre Wellington’s proposed termite management program earlier this year.
Integrity commissioner John Mascarin told council on Dec. 18 that a citizen had lodged complaints against Watters and Jefferson, claiming because they both live in or adjacent to termite zones in Elora, they would personally and financially benefit from the program.
Mascarin said in conflict of interest cases the integrity commissioner has the authority to make a decision on an application and in this case, he summarily dismissed the code of conduct complaint and found no contravention of the conflict of interest act.
He said he chose to write a report on the conflict of interest matter, “for education purposes.”
There are several reasons for his decision, he said.
First, the complainant missed the deadline for making a complaint by two days. Mascarin decided to investigate despite that.
Second, the complainant provided incorrect addresses for the two politicians, so the entire basis of the complaint “was completely misconceived,” Mascarin said.
COUNCILLOR KIM JEFFERSON
Third, Jefferson had reached out to Mascarin when the complaint was laid and was advised she was not in a position of conflict.
Fourth, there are exceptions in the Conflict of Interest Act that apply in this case.
Councillors can vote on matters “who have an interest in common with electors generally,” according to the act, meaning councillors can vote on matters that affect the entire electorate, including themselves.
Councillors wanted to be sure that if termites spread and they find themselves living in a termite zone that they would not be in a position of conflict either.
“It’s like setting the tax rates,” Mascarin said.
“You have a general interest, along with every other elector in the municipality.”
