Where a member, either on his or her own behalf or while acting for, by, with or through another, has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in any matter and is present at a meeting of the council or local board at which the matter is the subject of consideration, the member,
(a) shall, prior to any consideration of the matter at the meeting, disclose the interest and the general nature thereof;
(b) shall not take part in the discussion of, or vote on any question in respect of the matter; and
(c) shall not attempt in any way whether before, during or after the meeting to influence the voting on any such question. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50, s. 5 (1).
But this is exactly what Mayor Tomlinson did after declaring a pecuniary interest, but before leaving the room, when he read a prepared statement to council on his harassment and bullying of town staff. Tomlinson could have read the apology after the voting was completed, but chose instead to try and influence the vote by reading his statement beforehand.
Are you surprised?
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