Seeking Conflict of Interest Advice

Sarnia councillors were conflicted Monday on the role of the city's new integrity commissioner. An amendment to the Code of Conduct was approved allowing council members to approach the commissioner with conflict of interest questions. Robert Swayze had suggested previously that council change the wording. Councillor Mike Kelch says he thinks they should be allowed to consult with the person responsible for integrity. "I was under the impression that one of the key values of the integrity commissioner to members of council, would be advising on conflict of interest issues. In fact, that's about the only thing that I think I would ever be contacting this person about!" City Clerk Nancy Wright-Laking says violations of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act would go through the court system and would not involve the Integrity Commissioner.