REGINA – The Saskatchewan government is proposing amendments it says will improve conflict-of-interest rules for municipal governments. Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter says the changes would provide clearer guidance to elected officials.
The amendments follow an inquiry report into a proposed development in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood southeast of Regina.
The inquiry found that reeve Kevin Eberle was in a conflict of interest because he had financial interests tied to the $2-billion Wascana Village proposal.
Justice Ronald Barclay concluded that Eberle tried to use his position to influence the RM’s council.
The government removed Eberle as reeve in February.
READ MORE: RM of Sherwood reeve booted for conflict of interest
An agreement between Great Prairie Development Corp. and Eberle, whose family has land in the area, would have seen him paid almost $60 million over 13 years.
Eberle said in 2014 that he openly declared a conflict of interest when the RM’s council first discussed Wascana Village and had recused himself from every meeting pertaining to the proposal.
The proposed changes would require more information from a council member when declaring a conflict of interest, mandatory public disclosure by elected council officials on their financial interests and clearer definitions of what constitutes conflict of interest.
They would also allow the provincial ombudsman to investigate alleged conflicts of interest or breaches in codes of ethics at the municipal level.
“By working closely with our municipal partners, we are establishing a new era of transparency, accountability and openness for our municipal elected officials,” Reiter said in a news release Monday.
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