can ever be allowed to undermine that democratic principle. If maintaining that position causes discomfort, then, with regret but without apology, I must insist. Although I disagree with the integrity commissioner’s premise -- that enough questions asked in rapid succession amount to bullying, I reflect that the questions to which Ms. Herd was subjected might never have been necessary if Council had received a written report about the matter, digested it over the weekend, and submitted prepared questions in advance. Diligent councillors must ask questions. The key to this problem is whether those questions are proactive or reactive; whether they are planned and structured; asked with enough notice to allow staff to give fulsome responses, or whether councillors feel pressure to spill every conceivable concern on the spot… or forever hold their peace. Central Elgin is already over budget for legal expenses, and integrity complaints are costly. With recordings of our closed meetings, we could have proved or disproved the allegations quickly and without lengthy interviews. With written, closed session reports, we might have avoided the overabundance of questions, and negated any need of investigation completely. Accountability should not be adversarial — it should be built into our procedures. We can build systems that prevent mis- understandings, reduce conflict, and support both transparency and staff well-being. With the right policies, we can protect taxpayer dollars, improve accuracy in investigations, and create a healthier culture of accountability.
Councillor’s Corner Building Integrity through Transparency Policies by Councillor Morgaine Griffin In February of 2023, I brought forward a motion to record our council’s closed sessions. I believe in proactively adopting best practices, especially those recommended by the Ombudsman. The next month, I brought another motion. I asked that we stop receiving verbal-only reports in closed session. With written reports, we could arrive prepared. Both of these motions failed. This month, I faced a complaint about an unrecorded closed meeting — exactly the kind of scenario I had hoped to prevent. Our CAO spent beyond an amount directed by the council, and I questioned the authority to do so, as well as the precedent we create by allowing such actions. The complaint alleged that I shouted and that the CAO was interrogated. I stand by what I told our integrity commissioner: I did not shout; I did not attack. I agree that, when my questions were dismissed, I did repeat them. And I do not feel that repeating ignored questions amounts to bullying. I want to be clear: I take both integrity and empathy seriously. I feel for any staff person who feels anxious when a councillor questions their decisions. I do not wish that discomfort on anyone, and I would never rise to a tone or behaviour calculated to cause it. But I swore an oath to diligently care for our community. Community money must be directed in its use by representatives elected by and of the community. No person
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Port Stanley Villager • November 2025 • Page 5
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