North Bay council expenses posted online

In light of the expenses controversy involving Mayor Peter Chirico, expenses of both the mayor and city council in North Bay are now available online.

Chirico is being investigated for using the city’s corporate credit card for personal expenses totalling at least $16,000. He has said he is repaying the money, and the city’s integrity commissioner is investigating the controversy.

His credit card use was flagged in early 2024 by chief financial officer Margaret Karpenko, who recommended Chirico be forced to surrender his credit card.

But that advice was ignored until the controversy became public this spring. The city confirmed in July that the mayor had surrendered his card.

Bylaw amendments

Karpenko also helped write amendments to the city’s transparency bylaw, which now requires the mayor and council expenses to be posted online, including details about the expenses and how they relate to corporate business.

The reports are also backdated to the beginning of council’s term in October 2022.

Ontario Provincial Police have confirmed they are looking into the matter at the request of the North Bay Police Service. Ontario’s inspector general of policing is also investigating and has directed Chirico not to take part in police board meetings until further notice.

For her part, Karpenko is leaving her position in North Bay next month to take up a similar post in Greater Sudbury.

No date has been given for when the report by North Bay integrity commissioner Guy Giorno will be released to the public.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Eric Taschner