The mayor of Gatineau admits, however, that the municipal elected official has “largely” shaken her confidence and that of her colleagues on the municipal council. These are his own words. Mr Duggan has “largely” undermined confidence. Not a little: a lot.
In addition, Mr. Duggan contravened the code of ethics by traveling to Vladimir Putin’s country with computer equipment from the City of Gatineau – at the risk of being hacked. The municipal councilor has also publicly admitted his error.
Both the mayor and several members of the municipal council spoke of a blatant “lack of judgment” on the part of Mr. Duggan who went to Russia against the advice of almost all Western countries because of the conflict with Ukraine.
With such a case against him, one could legitimately imagine that Mr. Duggan would lose some of his important responsibilities at the municipality. Especially since this is not his first escapades…
But no!
Maude Marquis-Bissonnette gives up on her trip to Russia. Not even a slap on the wrist!
Mr. Duggan will therefore retain his important functions as vice-president of the urban planning advisory committee, vice-president of the audit committee, as well as his seat as a member of the very strategic finance committee…
Find the error!
Maude Marquis-Bissonnette decides to give up on advisor Mike Duggan’s trip to Russia. (Archives Le Droit)
Because finally, how can we continue to entrust important responsibilities to a municipal elected official, while claiming that the bond of trust with the mayor and the municipal council is “largely” shaken?
It doesn’t hold water!
“Verbal” legal advice
The mayor justifies her decision on the basis of a “verbal” legal opinion stipulating that it is not up to the municipal council to sanction an elected official.
I would have heard everything! I would like to see this “verbal” legal opinion that she has not made public.
Twice in the past, Mike Duggan lost all his responsibilities on the city council. Former mayors Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin and France Bélisle did not hesitate to sanction Mike Duggan for controversial comments or gestures. They acted. They sent the message that a municipal elected official cannot with impunity dismiss members of the local press or defend the presence of the Confederate flag in a demonstration on Parliament Hill.
By choosing to give up and keeping Mike Duggan in his important position despite a crisis of confidence, Maude Marquis-Bissonnette is not only sending a contradictory message. It also sends a message of helplessness. As if she were saying: it’s not my responsibility, I’ll wash my hands of it. It is up to the Quebec municipal commission to act, or even to the voters of his electoral district to show him the door in the next elections.
Although it is false. She can act.
Nothing would prevent the mayor and this city council from appointing Mr. Duggan to less strategic committees than finance, planning or audit.
It would then no longer be a question of “sanctioning” an elected official, but of entrusting Mr. Duggan with responsibilities in accordance with the limited degree of confidence that he now inspires in his colleagues on the municipal council.
It would be a measured, coherent response to the controversy triggered by Mr. Duggan’s trip to Russia and the risks it posed to the IT security of the City of Gatineau.
In any case, it would be better than washing your hands like Pontius Pilate.
