The debate for and against next year’s Canada Day fireworks festival rages on, but an accusation has put tensions even higher among differing city councillors.

And the word that set it off? Collusion.

It’s no secret that City Councillors Rick Dubeau and Joe Campbell have been on the wrong side of numerous 7-2 votes over the last several months.

But in regards to the process of passing the 8-day festival—including the sole-sourcing of contracts—Dubeau says the seven votes in favour is a result of collusion.

Collusion is defined by dictionary.com as “a secret understanding between two or more persons to gain something illegally, to defraud another of his or her rights, or to appear as adversaries though in agreement.”

It didn’t sit right with a number of councillors.

Most notably the senior member around the table, Mike Doody.

He was visibly and audibly upset over the comments, making it known he’s never been accused of such a thing—or accused any admin member or councillor for that matter—in his 33 years in office.

Mayor Black also called Dubeau out for his recent actions to get pro-bono legal services from local lawyer Peter Doucet.  While reading out the definition of collusion, he suggested some councillors look up the definition of slander.

With everything taken into account, Black suggested he himself should look for legal services as well.

The issue was brought up when an item came up regarding Gold and Gold Productions coming in as a promoter.  Council voted 7-2 to sole-source the contract and an official vote is upcoming.

Mayor Black says it was sole-sourced (which raised the ire of Dubeau) because Ron Sakamoto, a representative of G&G, has over 60 years in the business and is closely affiliated with the festival’s main event.

Those main event names are yet to be announced.

The full video can be viewed HERE, under Item 4O.  The report voted on can be found HERE.

 

Filed under: Local News