Conflict of Interest, a contentious issue at last night's Corner Brook council public meeting

Corner Brook’s Chief Administrative Officer, Darren Charters, clarified concerns of conflict of interest with being on the Western Regional Service Board.

It’s been an issue at the past couple of public council meetings, and last night, Corner Brook’s Chief Administrative Officer clarified concerns of conflict of interest concerning the Western Regional Service Board. Since 2012, two council members have been appointed to the board. At the Regular Council meeting held on October 7th, a motion was put forward to appoint Mayor Parsons to the WRSB but that vote was tied and set over to last night’s public meeting. Darren Charters says “it is very important to have the 2 members on the board as the City of Corner Brook should have the strongest voice at the table as any decisions made by the board have a significant impact on the City both financially and operationally. Having any less than two (2) representatives on the board would not be in the best interests of the City and would not effectively represent the residents of the City.

Charters says the Regional Service Board Act also outlines rules determining conflict of interest for the members of the board. “It specifically states that conflicts arise when the member has a monetary interest, but the interest must be “distinct from an interest arising from his or her function as a member” (s10.1(a)). In other words, a monetary interest you may have because you are related to someone who owns a waste collection company would put you in a conflict, however, voting on an issue that has monetary impacts on the City of Corner Brook most certainly does not put you in a conflict. “

Council was about to vote on appointing Mayor Jim Parsons to the board, as Deputy Mayor Linda Chaisson resigned from the board leaving Councillor Pam Gill the only city representative. The Mayor excused himself from the vote, due to a conflict of interest. However, that’s when Councillor Charles Pender said Gill should not be voting on the motion since she had been found previously to be in a conflict of interest. Councillor Bill Griffin asked why this is happening again since Charters had just explained why she is not in a conflict. Pender addressed the Deputy Mayor about this previous conflict of interest vote and that’s when things became confusing. The vote putting members in a conflict of interest was held two public meetings ago to protect them until the city could clarify, which was presented by Charters earlier saying Gill was not in a conflict. A motion was introduced by Griffin saying Gill is not in a conflict but Pender persisted she be removed to sit in the gallery while they voted.  A vote was finally held to appoint the Mayor to serve on the board and the vote was 3-2 against. Gill is the only city rep on the board and the Mayor says this needs to be revisited. Parsons says he only volunteered to be on the board because no one wanted to do it and  what happened tonight was “unbelievable.”

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