After a year spent fielding complaints ranging from personal vendettas to “eye rolling,” Gravenhurst’s integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig has resigned her role with the municipality.
During the most recent Gravenhurst council meeting, councillors formally received Craig’s resignation. They passed a resolution directing staff to retain law firm Aird and Berlis for integrity commissioner services on an interim basis until next steps can be determined.
“Recently, I received correspondence expressing disappointment in the work that I do and the approach that I take as Integrity Commissioner,” said Craig in her report. “I cannot go into any further details, however, I have been advised that: «I have zero faith in the system which was put in place to protect integrity, truthfulness, and transparency in Municipal politics ».”
Craig, who was first appointed in 2019, said, “I take my duties very seriously, and without confidence in my abilities or the approach that I take in fulfillment of my appointed role, Council is not well served by me as the Town’s Integrity Commissioner.”
Craig went on to present her annual report, which included complaints she’s received over the past year.
Craig said she had received several calls, emails and informal complaints about a member being rude, treating members unfairly and ‘punishing’ anyone who disagrees with them.
“I make it clear to members of council who raise issues with my office about generalized, unspecific criticisms of another member, that it would be unfair to require a respondent to reply to general allegations of incivility,” she said.
Last fall Craig circulated an “Information Bulletin”, advising council that facial gestures perceived by some members of council as an attempt to disrupt and/or intimidate other members, staff or members of the public, during oral submissions and when other members are speaking, generally do not rise to the level of code violations.
“Rolling eyes” and other mannerisms while a Councillor has the floor, in certain circumstances, can constitute a disrespectful and intimidating response to comment. However, the appropriate conduct during a council or committee meeting is generally enforced by the chair of the meeting,” she said.
On another occasion Crag said she received a complaint regarding conversations that took place at private eating establishments and elsewhere.
“I clarified that private conduct could have an impact on official duties,” she said. “However, in certain circumstances set out in a Complaint, it was clear that the Respondent was not communicating in the capacity of a Council Member and was “off the clock”.
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