New conflict rules disruptive say Tilley and Hillier

By Craig Westcott/October 21, 2022

Ward 3 councillor Gerard Tilley is getting a little tired of having to leave his seat and watch proceedings from the back of the chamber so often because of new conflict of interest rules affecting municipalities.

The Province recently enacted a new code of conduct for councillors that broadens the conflict of interest rules to bar a councillor from voting on matters that may affect a close friend or wider member of the family. On Tuesday, CBS council amended its code of conduct to align with that of the Province.

“While I will accept these policies, I have read in-depth the whole bill regarding conflict of interest and I personally I think it puts a bigger squeeze on us as municipal officials when it comes to when we are perceived to be in conflict of interest,” Tilley said. “Right now, it goes outside the realm of immediate family, which is what we’ve always been accustomed to for years and even makes reference to if we have a close personal relationship with an individual in CBS. That could be a best friend, it could be an aunt, or an uncle or a niece or a nephew. In my case that’s extensive. It’s unfortunate. I know that conflict of interest has to play a part in municipal conduct, but I guess we’ll have to live with it.”

Councillor-at-large Rex Hillier agreed with Tilley. 

“I find it disruptive in terms of people having to get out all the time and more and more people being in a conflict of interest,” he said. “And it’s not only here at the council level, it’s also at our committee level where we’ve only got three people on a committee, so if someone has to step out, all of a sudden you’ve only got two thirds of your committee. You’re losing a voice that can help you make the best decisions, and so on. So, it’s disruptive, I think, and I don’t think it’s helping us make the best decisions.”

Mayor Darrin Bent agreed that the increasingly frequent declarations of conflict can be disruptive.

“And I always feel the more voices you have around the table, the better decision you get at the end of the day,” he added. “And what goes to limit that is unfortunate. Of course, there are situations where there are obvious conflicts of interest. The scope of conflict-of-interest legislation, which is a different document, is widespread and takes in a lot of things and leaves a lot of gray area. We were kind of hoping there would be less gray area. And now there may be more. But I also think it’s important that as members of council that we abide by a code of conduct and that we conduct ourselves in the best interests of the community as required. And this procedure here today is to bring our Town code in line with the new Provincial code. It’s important to do that as well… But there’s lots to be said about it. One of the things that’s happened is that all councillors, and I think senior staff as well, have to undergo mandatory code of conduct training over the next little while. I’ve signed up for a couple of sessions myself.”

Returning to Hillier’s point, Bent said he fears for the operations of some of the smaller communities.

“We’re the second largest community in the province and it probably affects us less even though we notice it, than it would a lot of other places that are smaller,” said the mayor. “So, it will be a learning curve that’s probably on a 90-degree angle for some. But here we are and hopefully at the end of the day it all works to serve the residents better.”