Probe of councillor’s trip to N.B. continues
Wright issues apology for making an ‘error in judgment’
The New Brunswick government says it’s still investigating Peterborough Coun. Stephen Wright’s visit to the province during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the politician apologized for his actions earlier this week.
The province launched the probe after The Examiner reported that Wright had travelled to New Brunswick last month.
As part of its measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, New Brunswick prohibits non-essential travel and requires that anyone coming into the province self-isolate for 14 days.
In an open letter issued Wednesday, Wright apologized for what he called his “error in judgment” in making the road trip. He characterized it as taking an “overzealous approach” to researching the restaurant sector in preparation for the eventual reopening of such businesses in Ontario.
The councillor had previously defended the trip, telling local media he needed to see first-hand how restaurants were handling the loosening of restrictions. Peterborough’s mayor, Diane Therrien, told The Examiner the trip was not authorized or paid for by the city.
Asked Wednesday if Wright could face removal from council, censure or expulsion from any committees, Therrien told The Examiner: “Locally, there have been suggestions about how best to proceed and we’re looking into what the impact might be.”
A spokesperson for New Brunswick’s Department of Public Safety declined to give details on the investigations or any possible penal
ty. Higgs, meanwhile, has said the province would look into what Wright was asked at the border crossing and what answers he gave.
Wright’s actions have also drawn a rebuke from the mayor of Saint John, N.B., who said the councillor should have respected the state of emergency.
“An elected official who encourages his own community to stay safe, while putting ours at risk, should have known better,” Don Darling said on Twitter.
Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef, the MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, is engaged to former Fredericton MP Matt DeCourcey.
Monsef hasn’t been to Fredericton since the pandemic closed some provincial borders.
Asked Wednesday night what she thought of Wright’s travels to New Brunswick, she said she thinks public health officials “have been very clear about the guidelines we need to follow.”
“I encourage everyone to follow public health guidelines and stay at home.”