Espanola council has defeated a motion to remove a councillor from their position.
The motion was tabled last night to have Councillor Maureen Van Alstine resign from council following findings of the Integrity Commissioner and her continued disregard to follow municipal processes.
According to the Integrity Commissioner, Van Alstine violated the Code of Conduct and/or the Staff Relations Policy on three occasions. The Integrity Commissioner has also brought an application to court for Councillor Van Alstine’s violation of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Councillors Ken Duplessis, Ray Dufour and Heather Malotte, previously identified by the Integrity Commissioner as a Block, which includes Van Alstine, voted against the motion while the second identified block, Mayor Jill Beer, and councillors Bill Foster and Sue Hayden voted in favour.
Van Alstine, who has not attended council meetings over the last while has just completed her third round of suspension but has not indicated that she will be returning.
Here is the copy of the entire motion:
Be It Resolved That:Â WHEREAS the Integrity Commissioner has found that Councillor Van Alstine has violated the Code of Conduct and/or the Staff Relations Policy on three occasions, and
WHEREAS the Integrity Commissioner has brought an application to court for Councillor Van Alstine’s violation of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and
WHEREAS Councillor Van Alstine’s actions have created a poisonous work environment, and
WHEREAS Councillor Van Alstine continues to disregard direction in terms of following appropriate municipal processes, and
WHEREAS Councillor Van Alstine has failed to consider all ratepayers of Espanola, and
WHEREAS Councillor Van Alstine’s actions has caused the municipality to incur legal fees in an amount greater than her four years of salary she receives as a councillor,
THEREFORE be it resolved that council calls for the resignation of Councillor Van Alstine effective Wednesday, March 10th. Furthermore, should Councillor Van Alstine choose not to resign her seat, she be removed from all boards and committees as a representative of the Espanola council and further be restricted from entering the municipal office except for the sole purpose of attending council meetings once in-person meetings resume for the remainder of the term of Council.