West Kelowna city councillor Rusty Ensign is in hot water over a conflict of interest with his city work and contracting company.
The incident transpired through a phone call between Ensign and West Kelowna Chief Administrative Officer, Jim Zaffino.
Ensign called Zaffino to complain a city employee asked one of his company’s truck drivers to leave city property.
When making the call, he identified himself as ‘councillor Ensign,’ and that, according to West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater, constitutes using his position to influence an employee.
Ensign says he identified himself as a councillor out of habit and denies he was trying to throw his weight around.
This is the second time Ensign has been embroiled in a conflict of interest controversy while on council.
READ MORE: West Kelowna councillor in potential conflict of interest
Ensign voted on a development’s approval, even though his company is bidding on the job.
Council can’t force Ensign to resign, but has chosen to make the information public.
Ensign calls it public shaming.
He plans to stay on city council, but will be on the hook to pay for legal costs incurred by the city to do with this matter.
Ensign will also take conflict of interest training.
-With files from Kelly Hayes
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