ELORA – The integrity commissioner made a brief appearance at Centre Wellington’s Committee of the Whole meeting on March 22, but only to inform councillors that he will proceed with an investigation as requested.
Council passed a motion at its Feb. 22 meeting to request that Guy Giornio determine whether councillor Steven VanLeeuwen contravened the code of conduct when he formally joined the “End the Lockdowns Caucus” earlier this year.
The caucus is a group of politicians resisting lockdowns and other public health measures during the pandemic, claiming the financial and mental health fallout is far greater than the health risk of COVID-19.
That messaging is contrary to what public health is advising during the pandemic and Centre Wellington’s position has been to support the public health message.
VanLeeuwen had been appointed deputy mayor by council and on Feb. 22, council decided to remove him from that position. Councillor Neil Dunsmore was chosen as his replacement.
Giornio told council it has the power to appoint a deputy mayor and also to remove that person from the position.
“It is the prerogative of council to decide who shall and who shall not be deputy mayor,” he said.
It is also council’s right to initiate an investigation when it deems it necessary, he added.
“The Municipal Act requires it to be confidential until the report is finished,” Giornio said, so no further information was disclosed during the meeting.
But Giornio noted he has spoken with councillors and also expects to speak with additional witnesses.
He will return to council with a written report when his investigation is complete.
