Councillors on a local board say they’ve never seen anyone drinking during meetings.
Coun. Ken Boshcoff and Coun. Joe Viridramo, the city's representatives for the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board, say no alcohol has ever been served during board meetings.
"Whoever started that story misinformed the media," Boshcoff told reporters after a city council meeting Monday night.
Last week recently ousted member Linda Gambee said that board members have access to a fully-stocked free bar and regularly drink and drive after meetings. Boshcoff said the board does have a bar paid out of general revenue from the CLE but no one ever drinks during meetings.
"If people wanted to stay and have a beverage in another room what is the issue," Boshcoff said.
As long as what the board is doing and there are no violations then it's fine Boshcoff, who has twice been a part of the CLE, said. He and Virdiramo say that in speaking with other councillors who have also represented the city none of them have ever seen any illegal activity going on.
"That accusation is patently false," Boshcoff said.
City council was updated on the CLE board Monday night in a closed session meeting. City manager Tim Commisso and solicitor Nadia Koltun are reviewing the terms and conditions of the land lease agreement the city has with the CLE.
