Committee airs grievances and backs motion to replace London’s Integrity Commissioner

Debate took place over Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis’ motion to fire London's integrity commissioner on Tuesday.

London could soon be looking for a new Integrity Commissioner after the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) recommended giving 30-days notice to cancel city hall’s contract with its current provider of educational and investigative services related to the Code of Conduct.

On Tuesday, a motion by Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and Councillor Paul Van Meerbergen sought to terminate the contract with Toronto-based firm Principles Integrity.

The City Clerk would be authorized to arrange for interim services provided by the Integrity Commissioner of another municipality while a recruitment process is underway.

“I do think that we have not been well served as an elected official,” said Councillor Susan Stevenson, the subject of two Code of Conduct investigations. “I’ve been not been afforded due process by this Integrity Commissioner. I have not been treated with respect.”

“I’d need to know exactly why we’ve lost the confidence, or some councilors have lost confidence in the Integrity Commissioner,” said Councillor David Ferreira. “I haven’t heard that.”

Councillor Corrine Rahman said a recent conversation with the Integrity Commissioner failed to alleviate her concerns about advice to council titled “Staying in your Lane” in the annual report.

The section reads, “One area of concern that continues to arise relates to members of Council overstepping their role, attempting to ‘take the reins’ to fix a constituent’s problem, or directing staff how to do their job.”

“I think that my constituents expect more of me than to just forward an email,” Rahman told colleagues. “So I want to make it very clear that I reject the premise of what’s in here.”

Lewis agreed, “I find the Staying in your Lane content of this report to be very problematic and [it could] have a chilling effect. I certainly never saw content like this, or this sort of interpretation of our councillors’ role from our previous integrity commissioner.”

The deputy mayor added that the Integrity Commissioner’s first annual report covered a span of 20 months.

The committee voted 9-6 in favour of the motion to replace the Integrity Commissioner.

“I think they’re a very professional firm,” said Councillor Steve Lehman. “But I do think they have a certain style that might not be meshing with the style of council.”

A final decision will be made at the Council meeting on April 1.