The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is responding to an ongoing investigation involving the integrity commissioner and a former member of council.
On Monday, former CK councillor Derek Robertson said he was "disgusted" with the way Integrity Commissioner Paul Watson has handled a complaint made against him.
Former mayor Randy Hope made the complaint in November 2018, claiming Roberston violated two sections of council’s code of conduct regarding improper use of influence to help a local business owner get a building permit.
However, Robertson struck back at the investigation, claiming bias and said that Watson had never reached out to him for comment.
Watson's investigation still remains in its draft stages and on Wednesday afternoon the municipality released a statement that said it could be a while before the report is finalized.
“An investigation by the integrity commissioner is ongoing," said the municipality’s chief legal officer, John Norton. "In terms of process, I understand that on Monday the integrity commissioner conducted an interview and is now finalizing his report. I expect it will take several more weeks before he finalizes his report and submits it for council’s consideration.”
Watson was appointed as the municipality's integrity commissioner by council in 2016. Watson is a local lawyer and former member of council. He has also recently been named integrity commissioner for Sarnia.
“Municipal councils are required to appoint an integrity commissioner who is responsible for performing, in an independent manner, investigations into alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct. The integrity commissioner does not report to, and is not accountable to, any member of the municipal staff,” said Norton.
Norton added that once the integrity commissioner’s final report is received by the municipal clerk, it will be made available to the public as is required by provincial law. Council will then make a final decision based on any recommendations contained in the finalized investigative report.
Norton said senior municipal staff will continue their "arm’s length participation" and cooperate with the integrity commissioner as needed.
