The City of North Bay has released the long-awaited Integrity Commissioner’s report into Mayor Peter Chirico’s use of a corporate credit card, finding the Mayor breached the City’s Code of Conduct in relation to more than $5,500 in expenses.
The 31-page report, prepared by Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno, was posted to the City’s website today ahead of a special Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m., where Giorno will formally present his findings and Council will decide whether to impose a penalty.
Giorno concluded that Chirico violated the Code of Conduct regarding $5,557.77 of the $17,253.01 the Mayor says has already been reimbursed. Giorno says the remaining $11,695.24 was found not to be in breach of the Code.
See: Mayor's expense report sparks calls for more transparency
And: 'I've done nothing wrong': Mayor Chirico calls for Integrity Commissioner to investigate
And: Details of Mayor Chirico’s expenses in new FOI documents
“Of the $17,253.01 that the Mayor has already reimbursed, I have found Code of Conduct breaches in relation to $5,557.77 of these expenses and have not found breaches in relation to $11,695.24 of them,” Giorno wrote.
The Integrity Commissioner emphasized that it is now up to Council to determine what, if any, penalty should be imposed.
Council in July refused a call for a forensic audit into the mayor’s expenses after North Bay Council failed to reach consensus.
See: Push for transparency stalls as North Bay Council drops audit motion
Under the Municipal Act, Council can choose to issue a reprimand or suspend the Mayor’s pay for up to 90 days.
The City’s report notes that $23,102.85 has been spent on the Chirico investigation so far.
Mayor Chirico issued a statement this afternoon following the release of the report:
"In June, I requested that the Integrity Commissioner undertake a comprehensive investigation into my expenses, following concerns that had been raised. Throughout the process, I have remained transparent and fully cooperative. Today, I welcome the conclusions of the Commissioner’s report.
"I want to be clear: All expenses detailed in the report were claimed transparently, and any personal expenses have been repaid in full. When I used the City credit card for personal expenses, it was always understood that they would be reimbursed. On a few occasions, there were good-faith misunderstandings regarding allowable expenses, and I accept responsibility for them. All of those expenses have been fully repaid.
"Now, with the report complete, my focus remains on continuing to serve our community. I look forward to Council’s consideration of the report and to any recommendations it may make."
See: Mayor Chirico turns in corporate credit card, according to City official
In addition to the findings about Chirico’s conduct, Giorno also made several broader recommendations, including clearer rules for what can be expensed by members who receive vehicle allowances and stronger checks when the approver of an expense also benefits from it.
Giorno also submitted a special supplementary report to Council.
In that memo, he noted there was no evidence of lobbying or that City funds were used to provide hospitality to lobbyists in relation to the Mayor’s expenses. However, Giorno cautioned that the City currently has no lobbyist registry.
“The City of North Bay does not require lobbyists to register,” he wrote. “There is no lobbyists’ registry. Consequently, there is presently no simple or effective way to determine whether lobbying is occurring or who is doing it.”
Giorno recommended that Council consider creating a lobbyist registry by-law and updating the City’s Code of Conduct to include a mirror restriction.
“So that Council and the public will be able to know who is lobbying the City, Council should ask staff to bring forward a draft lobbyist registry by-law to cover lobbying of City officials,” the report states.
The Ontario Provincial Police is also conducting a separate investigation into the Mayor, following a referral from the North Bay Police Service earlier this year.
See: OPP confirms Chirico investigation
Below is the full Integrity Commissioner’s report, as well as supplemental documents, as released by the City:
See: Inquiry Report
And: City of North Bay Report to Council