Council recommends 10-meeting ban from in-camera sessions

LAURIE WEIR

A report from Smiths Falls Integrity Commissioner Tony Fleming has found that Coun. Dawn Quinn “likely” leaked confidential information from a closed council session in July 2024, violating the municipal Code of Conduct.

The report, presented at the Feb. 10 committee of the whole meeting, states that while there is no direct evidence, findings suggest Quinn was the likely source of the leak based on a balance of probabilities. When questioned during the investigation, Quinn did not deny being the source but responded, “I don’t think I was.”

Quinn told investigators she did not recall speaking to anyone and recounted how she spent July 23, 2024, implying she was “too busy to have time to spread a rumour.” Fleming also interviewed members of the public but did not disclose their names.

The breach came to light when a member of the public contacted the mayor the day after the closed session with details from the meeting. The town launched an internal inquiry before referring the matter to the Integrity Commissioner in October 2024.

Despite the alleged violation, Fleming did not recommend sanctions due to the circumstantial nature of the evidence. However, council has the authority to impose penalties if deemed necessary.

“Although both Coun. Quinn and the first person in the chain deny that Quinn was the source of the information, the Integrity Commissioner finds that it is more likely than not that Quinn was the source,” Fleming wrote. “There is no direct evidence, but based on the whole of the evidence, on a balance of probabilities, it is more likely than not that the source was Quinn.”

He reported that Quinn did not deny being the source but rather said she didn’t think she was.

“This equivocal statement, in combination with her direct contact with the person responsible for starting the rumour, leads the Integrity Commissioner to this finding,” Fleming stated.

Because the evidence was circumstantial, Fleming did not recommend sanctions.

During the meeting, Quinn declared a conflict of interest and excused herself from chairing, with Coun. Peter McKenna stepping in. McKenna recommended barring Quinn from the next 10 in-camera sessions, a recommendation supported by Mayor Shawn Pankow and councillors Jay Brennan and Chris McGuire.

Pankow said it was “incredibly important that confidence be maintained,” and that no information obtained in a closed session be shared with any member of the public.

“The breach is a real concern and leads us to where we are tonight,” he said.

McKenna emphasized the seriousness of the breach, stating that releasing confidential information could have severe consequences.

“The ramifications of breaches of information shared in camera could not only cost the town hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it could ruin the reputation of a trusted partner we do business with … or worse,” he said.

Given the egregious nature of the breach, McKenna recommended the sanctions. He proposed that Quinn be barred from attending the next 10 in-camera meetings.

Coun. Jennifer Miller and Steve Robinson opposed sanctions due to the lack of conclusive proof but stressed the importance of confidentiality.

“While it’s clear that a breach of confidentiality occurred, I am disappointed that the investigation concluded with the suggestion of guilt but no clear recommendation for action,” said Robinson. “I firmly believe in accountability, and breaches of conduct should carry appropriate consequences. Given that the IC report did not establish Coun. Quinn’s responsibility, for me, beyond a reasonable doubt, I can’t support imposing sanctions at this time.”

Brennan and McGuire supported measures such as a public apology, viewing the closed-meeting restriction as a compromise.

Council ultimately agreed to the ban suggested by McKenna, with final approval to be determined at the next council meeting.

Under legislation, the report must be posted on the town’s website for five years.

Author: Hometown News