The city’s integrity commissioner ruled last year that a city councillor was not “bullied and harassed” during a debate on internet voting last year.
It was one of three complaints in 2018 dealt with by the city’s integrity commissioner, complaints that weren't revealed until Robert Swayze delivered his annual report to council, which he did Tuesday.
All three complaints were eventually dismissed.
“In late 2017, I received a complaint against three members of council for comments made in debating the introduction of internet voting. I watched videos and found the comments not to be bullying and harassment as alleged, but spirited debate on the issue,” Swayze said in his report.
The identity of the councillor who made the complaint was not revealed, nor was the exact meeting that they felt it took place.
Swayze has been the city’s integrity commissioner since 2011. He is responsible for interpreting, advising and ruling on complaints regarding the city’s Code of Conduct.
He said he was consulted on five occasions and members of the public on two occasions.
The other complaints were:
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A complaint received and dismissed in late 2017 against a member of staff that was referred to the supervisor of the staff member. “I have no jurisdiction over staff,” Swayze said.
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In 2018 a complaint against a member of council from a neighbour of the councillor arising out of a fence dispute. “The complainant decided not to proceed with the complaint and I believe that the matter was settled.”
