SMITHS FALLS — A decision on whether to suspend veteran Coun. Dawn Quinn’s pay for two weeks has been put off until October, after she was absent from Monday night’s council meeting where the Integrity Commissioner’s report into a conflict-of-interest complaint was presented.
Integrity Commissioner Tony Fleming gave councillors a high-level overview of his Sept. 11 report on Sept. 22, which found Coun. Dawn Quinn breached the municipal Code of Conduct by failing to declare a conflict before voting on a $4,665 grant for the Davidson Courtyard Shops in March to support live Monday night entertainment. Quinn owns a retail business in the courtyard, which is not open on Mondays.
While the report concluded Coun. Dawn Quinn did not benefit financially, Fleming said her association with other shop owners who did benefit created a “reasonable perception” of conflict. He recommended suspending her pay for two weeks.
“The Code of Conduct directs that the phrase conflict of interest be interpreted broadly,” Fleming told council via video link. “Given that the member is affiliated with the Davidson Courtyard Shops’ group and operates her business with the other owners who did directly benefit from the grant, the grant creates a conflict of interest.”
Clerk Kerry Costello said that under the Municipal Act, they must formally receive the report, post it publicly on their website for five years, and give the member an opportunity to respond before any sanction is imposed.
“As well as the member is not present this evening, I will remind council that the member does have a right to speak to any sanctions that are imposed,” Costello said. “Since she’s not here this evening, that can be done Oct. 6.”
Councillors agreed to defer any decision until Quinn could be present. “I accept the report, I accept the recommendation, but I would reserve any formal vote towards that until after Coun. Dawn Quinn has an opportunity to choose,” Coun. Jay Brennan said.
Coun. Chris McGuire asked if additional training could be added as part of a sanction. Mayor Shawn Pankow noted that every councillor received training, including on the Code of Conduct at the start of the term.
“We all go through a day of training, including review of our Code of Conduct. And we signed and confirm we will stick to our Code of Conduct,” Pankow said. “Those of us, like Coun. Quinn, who have been around for multiple terms, have been through this training multiple times.”
This is the second time this term Coun. Dawn Quinn has been the subject of an Integrity Commissioner report. In January, Fleming found it was likely she leaked confidential information from a closed meeting in 2024. A motion to bar her from 10 subsequent in-camera sessions failed on a tie vote, and no penalty was imposed.
Council will consider Fleming’s recommendation on Oct. 6.
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