Reid Hamer-Jackson can be seen on the streets of Kamloops helping people get into shelters (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Mayor’s conflict of interest declaration takes caution to a new level

Dec 7, 2022 | 5:13 AM

MAYOR REID HAMER-JACKSON excused himself from the entire City council meeting yesterday without saying why. He simply said there were agenda items that presented “potential” conflicts of interest, and left the meeting.

The agenda itself provides few clues. There was a road closure, a rezoning, some variance permit applications, a tree protection bylaw amendment — all standard stuff for council meetings. The only thing close to being at all controversial was an update from staff on several old motions about safety and social housing.

Those are issues close to the mayor’s heart and his thoughts on them don’t rub everyone the right way but the only action required of council was to receive the report for information.

Normally, a member of council declaring a conflict of interest, or a potential conflict of interest, or a possible perceived conflict of interest, explains which item he or she is concerned about and leaves council chambers while colleagues deal with it.

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When the item is finished, the council member is called back into the meeting. Mayor RHJ, however, left for the entire meeting — it was the first time it’s happened during my time observing City Hall, and that’s a great many years.

It appears the mayor may have had some concerns about discussing any matters to do with ASK Wellness, which has accused him of defamatory comments. At any rate, a refresher on conflicts of interest seems in order.

The most compelling reason for declaring a conflict is that participating in a vote on a matter might bestow a financial advantage to the council member. In practice, though, members of council are much more cautious than that, taking no chances of perceptions of impropriety, and excusing themselves with an abundance of caution.

While those sentiments are admirable, declaring conflicts can be overdone, removing without sufficient reason the member from participating in debate and decision on important matters.

Exiting an entire meeting takes that caution to new heights.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.