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A code of conduct investigation is underway after a Moncton city councillor allegedly made inappropriate comments at a recent Enhancing Democracy committee meeting.
Committee chairperson Frank Vandenburg tried to tell Moncton City Council during a public session on Monday that some members were distressed about comments which were made at an October 21st meeting – but he was suddenly interrupted.
“They (committee members) were saying things to me such as ‘I had things I wanted to share in that meeting but I kept my mouth shut because I was watching what was happening and I didn’t want to be the next person attacked.”
Councillor Bryan Butler interrupted Vandenburg and noted how this was a personnel matter and it should be discussed privately.
At that point, councillors met in private for about 15 minutes before the public session resumed.
In response to the incident, Moncton mayor Dawn Arnold issued the following statement:
“This matter is being taken very seriously.
During this week’s Council meeting, serious concerns regarding an elected official’s behaviour were brought forward by the Chair of the City’s Enhancing Democracy Committee. Whereas this is seen as a potential breach of our Code of Ethics and Conduct, the established process under the Code has been initiated.
During the same meeting, we proudly adopted our 2022 Strategic Plan which highlights inclusivity, accountability and excellence as three of our core values. As elected officials, we are held to very high standards and must ensure that Code of Conduct concerns and complaints are investigated according to the by-law we have in place to ensure fairness and due process to all parties involved.
I can’t offer any further details at this time.
Dawn”
