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Caledon mayor Thompson cleared of conflict of interest allegations

December 1, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson is in the clear.

The Mayor announced yesterday (Wednesday) that an Ontario Superior Court judge has dismissed charges he was facing under the Municipal Conflict of Interests Act. The action had been launched by Kelly Darnley.

“I am very happy to tell you that (Mr. Justice Peter) Daley has sent a strong message in his decision today by dismissing both conflict of interest applications and awarding costs,” Mr. Thompson said in a statement Wednesday morning. “I am overwhelming relieved for me and for my family. I want to thank all of those who stood by me – you know who you are – I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Observers had been waiting for the verdict in this case since April, when the final arguments were made to Justice Daley.

Ms. Darnley, through her lawyer, had contended that Mr. Thompson, 55, had voted a number of times on matters in which he had a pecuniary interest.

It was also alleged that the mayor had obtained a loan from a developer, and that he would have been voting on matters affecting people who could have called in that loan.

As well, there were issues about Mr. Thompson voting to expand development in Mayfield West to the west, which would have been about five kilometres from his property, and the impact that would have had on the value of his land.

Another issue was over the sale of Mr. Thompson’s farm to Primont Homes, and how he had maintained that he knew he sold to a developer, but didn’t know which one.

Through his lawyer, the mayor argued it’s possible for an elected official to have a direct interest that’s in common with other people. Any development in Caledon would have to take place in the Whitebelt, in which Mr. Thompson lives, and lawyer Alan Lenczner had argued that any development in Caledon had the potential of raising the value of any property in Caledon.

In an open letter to the community, Mr. Thompson said Justice Daley brought down a “thoughtful decision.”

“He sent a strong message by awarding costs,” the mayor added.

He also said it was the outcome he had expected.

“As I’m sure you can imagine this has been a difficult time for my entire family,” Mr. Thompson stated in his letter. “They have been exposed to negative gossip, false and unfounded rumours and misleading, attention-grabbing media headlines. We even had a large rock thrown through a window in our home with such force that it went through two panes of glass and damaged the wall.”

Mr. Thompson expressed gratitude to his wife Anne, children James and Julia, along with his parents and siblings, councillors, community leaders and residents for their words of encouragement and support.

“Although this has been a difficult time, it has not distracted me from doing my job,” he said. “I’m very proud of all we have accomplished so far in this term of council.”

Attempts to contact Ms. Darnley were not successful by press time.

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