IGNACE — A report will be presented to Ignace council next week, outlining its findings into complaints against former mayor Bill Gascon and Coun. John Taddeo.
The report prepared by the municipality's integrity commissioner — Principles Integrity — provides some level of detail about the state of Ignace's council in March, prior to the resignations of Gascon and former councillor Al Zimmer in early April.
The integrity commissioner said it had received complaints relating to the conduct of Gascon, filed by clerk Rhonda Smith, and another one relating to Taddeo that was filed by Gascon.
The report said Gascon, Taddeo and Smith had meetings on March 10 with candidates interviewing for an employment opportunity with the township, with an argument leading to Gascon swearing at the other two, before pushing a table and kicking his chair into the wall and leaving the meeting.
Following that meeting, Smith filed a complaint with the Ministry of Labour, which led to the ministry issuing an order to the township.
Gascon filed a complaint that Taddeo grabbed his arm in an aggressive manner, and yelled at him.
The integrity commissioner noted that Gascon refused to participate in their investigative process.
Speaking to Dougall Media on Friday, Gascon denied the integrity commissioner's account of the meeting. including that he pushed a chair or used profanity.
The report recommends council to formally reprimand the former mayor for his behaviour towards Smith, while there was no substantiated findings of bullying or harassment by Taddeo.
The integrity commissioner is also recommending that an education and training session be held for council.
Council is scheduled to meet on July 3, when they're also expected to name two members to fill the two vacant positions.
