Mayor Jim Watson and Capital Coun. Shawn Menard.
They’re political foes, but Mayor Jim Watson and Coun. Shawn Menard are teaming up to kick open the doors to backroom discussions that led to a $1.6-billion Trillium Line contract awarded to SNC-Lavalin.
Their motion at council Wednesday will make all technical procurement documents available to the public, including the legal opinion that apparently compelled the city to keep SNC-Lavalin in the procurement process despite the company receiving a technical grade that was below a minimum score threshold.
The documents are scheduled to be released before March 3, which is when the finance and economic development committee is scheduled to meet next.
Menard, with the support of Coun. Carol Anne Meehan, had planned to ask council for a sweeping external review of the city’s procurement process.
But Menard worked with Watson on an even more impactful proposal for council when it comes to transparency of the Stage 2 project.
Council was unanimous in its support of the proposal.
Under the Watson/Menard plan, the city will hire a consultant to do a “lessons learned” on the Stage 2 project as the city prepares studies for a Stage 3 expansion project to Kanata, Stittsville and Barrhaven. A review of the city’s public-private partnership policy will also be part of the governance review that typically happens at the midway point of the council term.
Integrity commissioner won’t back down from Chiarelli probe
A letter from Coun. Rick Chiarelli’s lawyer isn’t spooking the city’s integrity commissioner.
Robert Marleau, the conduct watchdog, said “I will continue to investigate” when asked about the letter during Wednesday’s council meeting.
Marleau’s interim report on the Chiarelli investigation was on the table. Marleau expects to have a final report done this year, but he doesn’t know when since he still hasn’t interviewed Chiarelli, who’s recovering from heart surgery.
There are multiple complaints from women alleging questionable behaviour by Chiarelli in job interviews and as part of their jobs. Chiarelli has denied all allegations.
In a letter sent to the integrity commissioner and council Tuesday night, Chiarelli’s lawyer demands that the integrity investigation end, alleging bias by the mayor and councillors.
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