A letter from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities regarding conflict of interest, sparked comment and concern at the Feb. 28 Columbia Shuswap Regional District board meeting.
Chief administrative officer Charles Hamilton explained that in a court of appeal decision in a particular case affects all local governments.
“…the court of appeal found that local officials, who are directors of non-profit societies, are in conflict of interest when they vote or participate in matters related to the society in their capacity as elected officials, and that the conflict is pecuniary in nature, and therefore of a disqualifying nature when the local government matter relates to money or financial benefits,” reads the Feb. 8 letter that was sent to UBCM.
Hamilton pointed out that, in the meantime, while there is no concern regarding CSRD’s commissions and committees, he recommended directors to exercise caution in terms of other societies they may be members of such as Rotary or chambers of commerce.
“Any time a financial issue is raised, my advice is act on the side of caution,” he said.
Hamilton also called into question possible conflict for Electoral Area E director Rhona Martin, who is UBCM’s first vice-president.
“How can you report on what you’ve been assigned to do if you have to leave the room,” asked Martin, who is also the chair of the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition. “The only one that seems to be secure is the library board because of legislation. It makes doing business very difficult.”
Area D director René Talbot expressed his concerns about the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Project.
“We all put money into it and we all make decisions,” he said. “Every meeting we’d go to, we’d spend more time in the hallway than in the room.”