One Prince Edward County resident is urging council to show more transparency, not less, after a report from Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze over the handling of the Picton Terminals dispute.
During the Tuesday council meeting, Paul Allen spoke to council about the importance of transparency, and his fears that recommendations from the Integrity Commissioner might result in less transparency in council actions.
The commissioner originally began an investigation after complaints that confidential information may have been leaked to the press. In the commissioner’s report, he stated that he believed the code of conduct had been contravened but was unable to find evidence to accuse any councillors. He had urged councillors to not discuss matters of litigation publicly.
During his deputation, Allen highlighted the lack of evidence of any wrongdoing, noting that the commissioner provided no examples of any breach of the code of conduct. Allen also took aim at the commissioner singling out Councillor John Hirsch, noting that while the commissioner found no fault with comments Councillor Hirsch made to the Picton Gazette, he still advised that Councillor Hirsch should not have spoken to them on the topic.
Councillor Hirsch disagreed with some of the commissioner’s recommendations.
“He felt that in situations of a controversial nature, we shouldn’t be speaking to the media, which I just completely disagree with,” said Councillor Hirsch. “That’s against all of our principles of transparency.”
Council accepted the deputation, but took no further action at this time.
