Decision Reached on Conflict of Interest Case against Councillor Pearce

Yesterday, a Superior Court judge rendered a decision in the conflict of interest case against Councilor Ed Pearce.

The suit was filed by the city’s Integrity Commissioner at the time E4M Inc. alleging a breach in the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. The cases surrounded Councilor Pearce’s participation in two votes involving ELNOS, a non-profit community organization in the spring and summer of 2019. Mr. Pearce sits on the ELNOS board as an independent member, not an appointee from Council. The judge found the councilor in breach of two sections of the Conflict of Interest Act but that a reprimand by the court was deemed adequate punishment (given that the punishment should be proportionate to the act committed).  

The judge's decision is linked below and can be found at the City's Integrity Commissioner page.

Under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and the Integrity Commissioner (IC) regime established by the Province, the IC is an independent officer of Council and has the authority to commence court cases against sitting councilors in their sole discretion. The IC chose to pursue the court case against Councilor Pearce and the court hearing was held in early December 2020.

Another case was commenced by the same IC against Councillor Chris Patrie but for different circumstances. That case has not yet reached a final court hearing. 

Attachments

Justice Gareau Decision on Councillor Pearce Conflict of Interest Case - March 2021