Wawa Councillor Mitch Hatfield's been ordered to take a number of steps over a code of conduct violation.
The Municipality's Integrity Commissioner says they were asked in November to investigate allegations Hatfield violated the Municipality's Code of Conduct for Council, the Council-Staff Relations policy, and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
The report says the complainant - who isn't named - confirmed they didn't attend any Council meetings after Hatfield was elected in late 2018 nor speak with her directly in person or on the phone, but the commissioner suggests the complainant presented their allegations "in an honest manner and without any retaliatory perspective", and that witnesses provided by the complainant "appeared to respond in a direct and straightforward manner, seemingly without embellishment", confirming "a lot of speculation, significant rumours and gossip throughout the community by many, including Hatfield", though some witnesses were unsure what they heard about the complainant from Hatfield or other sources in the community - with many witness statements amounting to hearsay and assumptions - and none could confirm many of the details of the complainant's allegations.
It also says the investigation was unable to confirm any allegations relating to claims Hatfield engaged in meetings with Gerry and Tamara Liddle, as it couldn't confirm whether such meetings happened or what may have been discussed if they did.
The report adds Hatfield denied wrongdoing with respect to the allegations, specifically engaging in meetings with the Liddles for the purposes of discussing municipal business or making any public comments that could be construed as violating any of the complainant's rights under policy or legislation, though the commissioner says Hatfield was unable to describe the intent of the Council-Staff Relations policy "in a sufficient manner".
It concludes "on the basis of the balance of probabilities, it is more likely than not that Hatfield has made remarks about the complainant and her feelings, about the complainant to others in the community" - violating the Council-Staff Relations Policy and Code of Conduct for Council - but can't conclude "on the same basis" that Hatfield expressed comments about municipal business that should have remained confidential, so there was no violation of the Municipal Act or Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Council's accepted the report and its recommendations, that Hatfield review the two policies, verbally apologize to Council for violating the policies, and write a letter of apology to the complainant "for treating [them] in a disrespectful manner".