The City of Colwood could soon be clamping down on councillors that have financial connections to a developer, banning them from any council business connected to that development.
Proposed by Coun. Kim Jordison, the ‘Restrictions on Gifts, Favours and Discounts’ policy asks any elected official that has received a monetary or non-monetary benefit totalling more than $25 from a developer, or anyone closely associated, to immediately recuse themselves from any matter of potential value to that developer.
According to John English from the Royal Bay Homeowners Association, the proposed policy has been a long-time coming.
At a council meeting on Aug. 26, English said the homeowners association has been urging the council for years to introduce such a policy, and he urged councillors to unanimously approve the proposal.
“The Royal Bay Homeowners Association and its members, and many people in our community, have, for a number of years, quite frankly been appalled by the past behaviours of some past and present members of city council,” said English.
“Accepting monies from people closely associated with developers and then actively participating in city discussions, city planning and city decision-making processes, affecting those same developers, is in our own view, quite unethical, unprofessional and reprehensible."
“This behaviour has seriously damaged our citizens' trust and confidence on our city’s government,” English said.
The city will debate the proposed policy at a meeting on Sept. 9.
