Sault city councillor reprimanded for code of conduct breach
A Sault Ste. Marie city councillor is hoping to move forward after he was found to have breached council’s code of conduct.
The city’s integrity commissioner advised Coun. Stephan Kinach to apologize for remarks made at a previous council meeting – to which he refused.
Instead, Kinach opted to be reprimanded by his colleagues.
The controversy began at the March 18 council meeting, when Kinach took issue with a report from city administration pertaining to the use of consultants.
“This report discards us and (the) constituents we represent,” Kinach said at the time.
“This completely ignores the whole democratic process because this report is evidence that staff is working against council and Saultites.”
The city’s integrity commissioner advised Coun. Stephan Kinach to apologize for remarks made at a previous council meeting – to which he refused. (Mike McDonald/CTV News)
After the remarks, Kinach said he was called into a meeting with Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and CAO Tom Vair, when he was asked to apologize publicly for his comments.
“I didn’t feel my comments were harsh enough or crossed the line to a point where I needed to make an open session apology,” Kinach told CTV News.
He sought the advice of the integrity commissioner, who found that Kinach had indeed breached council’s code of conduct and echoed calls for an apology.
No one 'coming out a winner'
Kinach instead joined six of his council colleagues in voting in favour of a reprimand.
“I ended up voting in favour of the reprimand just as an act of contrition to show that I understand this got way out of hand, and at this point … I don’t think anyone’s coming out a winner,” he said.
“We are privileged and honoured to be elected officials and we have to uphold ourselves to a certain degree of professionalism,” said Coun. Lisa Vezeau-Allen, who was among those who voted in favour of a reprimand.
“I have not seen that from Coun. Kinach.”
Coun. March Bruni voted against this course of action, as he said it’s not council’s duty to discipline its own.
“My thought was send it back to the integrity commissioner and she can file what the discipline action would be,” said Bruni.
Councillors Sonny Spina and Matthew Scott were also in favour of sending the matter back to the integrity commissioner.
As for Kinach, he said he just wants to put this issue behind him, while pledging to be more “courteous” and “polished” in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Scottie Scheffler isn't the first pro golfer to be arrested during a tournament
Scottie Scheffler's arrest hours before his second-round tee time at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, will go down as one of the most shocking in professional golf history. It certainly wasn't the first, though.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Canadian convicted of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years
The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
B.C. optometrist warns against trending eye colour change procedure
A medical procedure that can permanently change a person's eye colour may be trending on social media, but a B.C. optometrist is warning about the significant risks associated.
An airplane passenger was spotted in an overhead bin. This was the reaction
Airplane overhead compartments. Home to luggage of all shapes and sizes, the odd coat or two, several duty-free bags, a fair bit of dust and… passengers?