Councillor says conflict motion ‘about politics’
Conflict-of-interest motion more about ‘casting aspersions,’ NPA councillor says
A Vision Vancouver councillor plans to introduce a motion seeking to address a perception of “undisclosed conflicts” for councillors who work for public relations firms, while a rival NPA councillor says the motion is a “thinly veiled reference” to him and a waste of time.
Next week’s council agenda includes a motion entitled “Transparency in Financial Disclosure by Members of Council” set to be moved by Vision Coun. Andrea Reimer. The motion would ask city staff to “provide a mechanism for members of the public to have access to information on potential conflicts of interest for members of council” working for communications or government relations firms.
Reimer, in Germany Friday for the COP23 climate forum, said by email: “The motion seeks disclosure from members of council on all their financial interests in the case where the nature of their employment — lobbyists, consultants — obscures those financial interests ... Just as the public would have the right to know if he worked for a corporation directly, the public has a right to know if a councillor is being paid to lobby on behalf of a corporation.”
Reimer said one possible outcome of the motion could be the city clerk asking councillors for a list of clients served through their work with a communications or lobbying firm.
Reimer’s motion says: “Recently a Councillor stated they would donate 100 per cent of their publicly funded salary to charity indicating they receive substantial personal financial benefit from private interests but the exact interests are unclear due to the nature of their external employment.”
Reimer did not answer in her email whether this was a reference to council’s newest addition, NPA Coun. Hector Bremner, but he believed it was.
Bremner, elected in last month’s byelection to replace departing Vision Coun. Geoff Meggs, is the vice-president of public affairs for communications firm Pace Group, and has registered in the past with B.C.’s lobbyist registry.
During the byelection campaign, Bremner told the Vancouver Courier he “would commit to donate his $82,000 councillor salary this year to ‘whatever worthy cause.’”
On Friday, Postmedia asked Bremner about his plans for his salary, and he said he still planned to donate some amount of it, but had not yet finalized a plan.
Bremner said Reimer’s motion has more to do with “casting aspersions” and scoring political points than improving transparency.
“I’m not quite sure what it accomplishes over and above what the existing law does,” Bremner said, adding he plans to abide by the well-established conflict and disclosure laws governing council.
Bremner said it’s unfortunate this motion could “move the conversation away from issues that matter,” such as the city’s escalating homelessness and ongoing opioid crisis.
“I fully support any measure to add confidence and transparency,” Bremner said, adding he supports municipal campaign finance reform as well, although he had questions and criticisms about details of the B.C. NDP’s plan on that front.
“But it’s pretty clear this is about politics and it’s not about any serious concern,” he said. “I don’t know if this is really an effective use of anybody’s time.”
Reimer’s motion is on the agenda for Tuesday’s council meeting.