The town council of Napanee, Ont., has accepted a report that looked into the mayor’s involvement in a controversial land sale of town property.
In 2019, Mayor Marg Isbester did not declare a conflict of interest following the sale of Heritage Park.
The breach of conflict rules stemmed from the fact that her son owned property across from the park, and would receive enhanced drainage if the land was developed.
Read more: No sanctions despite Napanee mayor’s failure to disclose conflict of interest: integrity report
Isbester said she sought legal advice to help guide her through the process.
Get daily National news
“From that advice, I then understood that during the development process of Millhouse Yard, that I was in conflict as a family member owned adjoining property that could possibly benefit from the development,” Isbester said in a statement to Global News.
- 1 in 4 households in southwestern Ontario facing food insecurity: health units
- Kenora, Ont. man swims across Lake of the Woods, raises funds for kids’ health care
- Canadian NATO intern to stay in Belgian custody on spying charge: officials
- Manitoba to install fencing at provincial park following recent drownings
The town’s integrity commissioner found that Isbester did not try to influence the sale of the park, but says she should have declared a potential conflict.
No penalties were recommended, and town council endorsed the report.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.