New job could pose conflict of interest for CBRM mayor, says poli-sci prof
The outgoing mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality may be in a conflict of interest after accepting a new job with the Nova Scotia government, says a political scientist.
Tom Urbaniak of Cape Breton University said Amanda McDougall owes the public an explanation about her new position, which she hinted at last month on social media.
"The CBRM mayor is earning a full-time salary, is earning a good salary, and there is a public expectation that the CBRM mayor not moonlight," said Urbaniak in an interview.
According to the latest figures on CBRM's website, the mayor gets an annual salary of $144,000 for what is considered a full-time position.
Although McDougall — who's been mayor since 2020 — is not running in this fall's municipal election, she still has more than a month left in her term.
Mayor has stayed mum on new job
This week, McDougall posted a picture of her new Nova Scotia government ID badge on the networking site LinkedIn, saying that she'll be working with the provincial disability support program.
But she has not said when the position starts and when asked for comment, declined to provide any other details.
CBU political scientist Tom Urbaniak says the CBRM mayor has to meet provincial officials and push for funding, which could be a problem if the mayor also works for the government. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
Urbaniak said it's not illegal or against the municipality's code of conduct to have an outside job.
But he said the mayor often has to press the provincial government for funding, and that could pose a conflict of interest if McDougall's new job starts before her term ends.
"The mayor is meeting with ministers and the mayor has to be absolutely free to be unhindered in advancing the public interests of the CBRM, so that can't overlap with any occupational interests that the mayor has," said Urbaniak.
Municipal election day in Nova Scotia is Oct. 19, but Urbaniak said the mayor and councillors retain their positions until the new council's inauguration, which is usually a couple of weeks later.
McDougall has said she intends to provide more information about her new job closer to next month's elections.
Council not notified of new job
Coun. Earlene MacMullin said she heard the mayor got a new job, but council has not been notified.
Still, MacMullin said she doesn't believe McDougall's new job has impacted CBRM.
"I cannot say that anything is currently lacking or being held up, so I can only assume that everything is being handled as it should be," said the councillor, who served as deputy mayor under McDougall for the first two years of this term.
Coun. Earlene MacMullin says council members do not qualify for EI or severance pay when their position ends, so it's natural to look for future work if they're not running again. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
MacMullin said it's sensible to look for another job because the mayor is not running again and council members do not qualify for employment insurance or severance when their position ends.
"I certainly wouldn't begrudge anybody that's making future plans to make sure they have financial stability," MacMullin said.
Urbaniak said even so, council members are expected to complete their duties to the municipality.
"Mayor is a full-time job, so as long as the term of office continues, try to avoid moonlighting and especially any occupations that involve other levels of government, because there's a strong, strong advocacy role for the CBRM mayor," he said.
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