Response to MP Scott Reid’s Recent Blog Posts

June 22, 2020 

Response to MP Scott Reid’s Recent Blog Posts                           

Tay Valley Township is aware of recent public blog posts from Mr. Scott Reid, Member of Parliament for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston in which he makes various allegations regarding the conduct of the Township and its employees. While the Township does not normally respond to such matters in a public forum, the sustained nature of the criticism of the Township’s processes and particularly the targeted personal attacks on Township employees requires that we do so in this case. 

In Mr. Reid’s recent blog post on his federal government website, he makes a number of allegations regarding the costs accumulated by the Township in responding to his numerous requests and appeals under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).  It should be noted that Mr. Reid’s calculations are inaccurate.  We respect that it is Mr. Reid’s choice to appeal the Township’s ruling on his requests. However, we fail to understand how an individual can launch numerous legal appeals and then complain about the use of taxpayer funds to defend against them.

The second issue raised by Mr. Reid includes allegations that the Township Clerk is performing duties outside the scope of her authority under MFIPPA. These allegations are incorrect and unwarranted.  Tay Valley has assured itself that the Clerk is properly acting within the scope of her role and the authority granted by MFIPPA. The Township reviewed this allegation back in 2019 when it was first raised by Mr. Reid. It was then and remains true today, that the allegation is completely unfounded.

Mr. Reid also takes issue with the costs the Township has incurred dealing with two separate Integrity Commissioner investigations following complaints lodged by members of the public. The Township, like every other municipality in Ontario, is legally required to have a Code of Conduct for members of Council. They are also required to appoint an Integrity Commissioner whose duty it is to investigate complaints filed under the Code of Conduct. It is a process specifically intended to be carried out impartially and at arms-length to Council. Neither Council nor its staff have the power to ignore these legislative requirements nor can the costs associated with applying the law be avoided.

In essence, Mr. Reid is of the view that if Tay Valley simply acceded to his demands, there would be no need to spend money on legal fees. This position negates the fact that Tay Valley has a legal responsibility to uphold the laws of the province of Ontario and ensure they are being properly applied.

Township Reeve, Brian Campbell has stated, and reiterates, that he and members of council fully support the staff who have endured various unfair attacks by Mr. Reid. At all times Tay Valley staff have and continue to perform their respective roles with professionalism and due diligence.

The Township has been, and continues to be, willing to work with Mr. Reid on potential solutions to his issues and looks forward to doing so in a constructive way. The Township’s offer to discuss a way forward presented to Mr. Reid last June is still open.