Mayors speak for council, not individual councillors, whatever the local integrity commissioner says, writes Timms
By Letter to the Editor Niagara Dailies Fri., July 22, 2022
Revise council code Re: West Lincoln Councillor Harold Jonker breached code of conduct during freedom convoy: integrity commissioner, July 19
The notion a member of council gives up their duty to represent their electors once elected is onerous and undemocratic.
Many voters complain about politicians who change once elected, who say one thing when seeking office and then do something else once elected.
West Lincoln Coun. Harold Jonker explained himself well: “As a representative I chose to represent the residents who are being negatively affected by the lockdowns and mandates.” He did not intended and never claimed to represent council.
The town’s integrity commissioner John Mascarin has stated a principal in several rulings. If you’re a member of council, you’re a representative, at all times, of the council.
Maybe the code of conduct needs to be revisited if it truly says a councillor must stop representing voters and represent council once elected. They are councillors in addition to who they are in private life, they do not stop being who they are after election.
The mayor speaks for council, not individual councillors. A councillor represents the voters and should continue to do so once elected.
The code of conduct concept for local councils has been tested this term in many ways, perhaps it needs another look.
– Bruce Timms