Councillor Clare Riepma reprimanded, docked pay for code of conduct violations

A Barrie City Councillor will face repercussions for code of conduct violations.

Ward 1 Councillor Clare Riepma will be docked 15 days' pay and was sternly reprimanded for violating the City of Barrie's code of conduct on two separate occasions.

 Barrie integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig's two reports were brought to council Wednesday night, listing the findings in her investigations into Riepma.

In the first complaint, it was alleged that the councillor used his influence as a licensed planner in an attempt to coerce staff to change policy parameters in order to generate data that was favourable to him on a development project.

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Craig's second report stated that Riepma used constituents' email addresses, which he obtained while in office, to seek re-election.

Barrie's code of conduct states that "no member shall disclose or release by any means to any member of the public, or in any way divulge any confidential information, including personal information or any aspect of deliberations acquired by virtue of their office, in either oral or written form, except when required by law or authorized by Council resolution to do so."

Further, it states, "nor shall members use confidential information, including information that they have knowledge of by virtue of their position that is not in the public domain, including emails and correspondence from other members, or third parties, for personal or private gain."

In an interview with CTV News after Wednesday's council meeting, Riepma admitted to making a "mistake."

"I own that," Riepma said. "The integrity commissioner has given her report, council has accepted that report and now it's time to move on."

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall told CTV News that he would follow the integrity commissioner's recommendations for Riepma before Wednesday's council meeting.

"These things aren't easy," he added. They're not, oftentimes are not done on purpose, and so, you know, I just want to offer that, that forward, as you know, let's, let's, let's put this behind us and let's continue to work as a team."