Conflict of Interest is the same as a pecuniary interest which is really - will the elected official be impacted financially (either positively OR negatively) by making a decision as an elected official. Click the link and read for yourself:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90m50_e.htm
As promised, I will be "outing" incumbent candidates who have declared a Conflict of Interest on everything Highlands. I will of course be adding my own opinion as to whether the conflict is a true conflict.
Here is the first candidate who runs from the room screaming, I mean declaring a Conflict of Interest every time the name Highlands is mentioned:
Ken Bennington-Deputy Mayor of Shelburne
Reason for declaring? It is recorded in the Dufferin County minutes that Deputy Mayor Bennington declares a conflict because his sister owns a property next to the rail line-which we all know Highlands is hot and horny to purchase.
EXCEPT, the Municipal Conflict of Interest legislation provides:
"For the purposes of this Act, the pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, of a parent or the spouse or any child of the member shall, if known to the member, be deemed to be also the pecuniary interest of the member."
I do NOT see where it mentions a sibling (sister or brother) would cause a politican to have a pecuniary interest, forcing a politican to declare.
So why isn't he voting? There can only be three reasons, in my opinion.
1. He doesn't understand the legislation
2. He got a crappy legal opinion
3. He just doesn't want to vote on a controversial issue
Why do we care if someone on Shelburne Council doesn't vote? Well, because the Deputy Mayor of Shelburne, by virture of the position, sits as a voting member on County Council-the entity who wants the quick cash from the sale of the rail line.
More tomorrow.
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