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Councillors found not in violation of Conflict of Interest Act

Brian Hamilton exonerated for voting on designated truck route; Brian McKinnon, Albert Aiello not in conflict for speaking out against Indigenous transitional housing unit.
Brian Hamilton
Coun. Brian Hamilton was not in violation of Ontario's Conflict of Interest Act. (tbnewswatch.com/FILE)

THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay’s integrity commissioner says none of the three city councilors accused of wrongdoing did anything wrong.

Brian Tarrio, who sought out the legal opinion of a municipal law expert, came to the determination in a report released on Monday.

McKellar Coun. Brian Hamilton was not in violation of Ontario’s Conflict of Interest Act when he took part in a vote over the controversial designated truck route.

A complaint, filed by at-large Coun. Trevor Giertuga, suggested that Hamilton had violated the act by voting because the truck route would impact his downtown restaurant. It was determined that while Hamilton does have monetary interest in the truck route, he would be affected no greater or less than any other downtown business owner.

He will be permitted to take part in any future votes on the matter.

McIntyre Coun. Albert Aiello was also ruled not to be in conflict of interest, but has been advised not to take part in any future votes involving a proposed Indigenous transitional housing complex, slated for property next to the Thunder Bay Boy’s and Girl’s Club, which he runs.

Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon, who with Aiello spoke out against the project at a public meeting in June, was also exonerated.

Both councilors were accused of undermining council’s earlier 2018 decision to donate the land to the developer, before the current council was elected into office.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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