‘A dirty stain:’ Murray Harbour leadership hopes P.E.I. minister will remove councillor, launches investigation into code of conduct breach

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The village of Murray Harbour is ready to spend greater than $2,000 to analyze a councillor who many of the council and mayor say broke the village’s code of conduct.

The purpose is to positive and droop Coun. John Robertson, however Mayor Terry White needs the province to step in to take away the councillor solely, saving the village some a lot wanted cash.

About two weeks in the past, Robertson put a message on an indication on his property saying, “Fact: mass grave hoax… Reconciliation: Redeem John A’s integrity.”

Whereas Robertson didn’t reply by deadline to a telephone message or electronic mail despatched to the village, he lately instructed CBC P.E.I. that he wouldn’t be resigning after council and the mayor — individually — requested him to.

The entire incident has “given us a unclean stain,” and it doesn’t mirror the values of the individuals who dwell in Murray Harbour, White mentioned in an Oct. 12 SaltWire interview.

“It was hate, is what it was, in my eyes,” he mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘Nicely John, you’re not appearing like a councillor. You’re appearing in your individual finest curiosity.”

White spoke to the Division of Housing, Land and Communities this week to ask Minister Rob Lantz to take away Robertson solely, because the council can’t do it on their very own.

They will solely positive him $500 and droop him from council for six months, White mentioned.

So, they’re paying for a third-party investigation, as coverage requires, although they’ve loads of proof anyway, White mentioned.

“I attempted to offer him the straightforward highway out. He didn’t need that; he dug his heels in, so he is aware of he’s accomplished unsuitable, or I hope he does. However we’ve to do it legally, and that’s the best way we’re going proper now.”

Calls to resign

Island Senator Brian Francis has known as for Robertson’s resignation over the problem.

Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould, whose father was a residential faculty survivor and later chief of Abegweit, has additionally known as for Robertson’s resignation.

He spoke on the village’s Oct. 11 assembly, saying it was his job as a public consultant to coach folks each time these items occur. It is usually the job of different public officers to coach and maintain themselves to a excessive commonplace.

“The factor that bothers me essentially the most about your signal, is it’s your neighborhood’s illustration. He’s a member of this council,” Gould mentioned.

Robertson didn’t attend the assembly on Oct. 11.

Going ahead, White says the signal is coming down, although he’s unsure what authorized energy the city has but.

April Gallant, senior communications officer with the Division of Housing, Land and Communities, mentioned on Oct. 12 provincial legislation makes councillor conduct a municipal duty.

“The council’s code of conduct bylaw would set out the rules and course of for dealing with councilor code of conduct. On this occasion, I consider that ends in a third-party investigation. We respect the function of native governments and their autonomy to handle councilor conduct within the manners they’ve set out by means of code of conduct bylaws. We are going to permit council to undergo their processes.”

Logan MacLean is a municipal reporter with SaltWire

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@loganmaclean94