Tierney Issue Caught In Bureaucratic Vice

This note is courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

For anyone engaged in the Beacon Hill-Cyrville Councillor Tim Tierney’s cone-tossing issue, see below for some of the response we got from Integrity Commission Karen Shepherd.

We contacted her seeking clarity on some points, including if someone needs to be a resident of a riding where an issue has arisen etc. if they wish to file a complaint. (Answer: no)

And note that in the response, she indicated that the Tierney issue, which involved a cone tossing on a ramp of Highway 174, is outside her jurisdiction as it would fall under the provincial Highway Traffic Act.

We have shared with her the information we got from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation indicating that, in fact, the Ccty is responsible for Highway 174. As we explained previously: while the province announced in March 2024 that they had signed a funding deal with Ottawa that included taking over Hwy. 174, the transfer hasn’t happened yet, so the city is still in charge of the highway.

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From the Integrity Commissioner

I have taken some time to review your comments and concerns, and to reflect on the context of the alleged actions and behaviour your email describes.

I must act within my jurisdiction. Any potential violation of the Highway Traffic Act is outside my jurisdiction and should be referred to the proper authorities.

As your email indicates, and as I understand from public statements the councillor has made, the councillor explained the photograph in question was staged and was not in an active construction area. With this in mind, you might consider reaching out to the councillor directly to express your concerns.

In response to your question, one does not need to be a resident of a councillor’s ward to file a complaint alleging the councillor contravened the code of conduct for members of council. Nothing prohibits you from filing a formal complaint with my office or from initiating the informal complaint process. Information on both of those processes is available at this link, and if you have additional questions you may direct them to this email address.

However, please note that one of the first things I verify when I receive a complaint is whether it is, on its face, a complaint respecting non-compliance with the code of conduct for members of council, or if it is covered by other legislation or complaint procedures. If it is the latter, I am required to advise the complainant of such so that they may pursue it with the proper authorities.

Sincerely yours,

Karen E. Shepherd

Integrity Commissioner/Commissaire à l’intégrité

integrity@ottawa.ca/integrite@ottawa.ca

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