Mel Norton calls meeting about Irving flight, conflict allegations

Saint John Mayor Mel Norton helda special council meeting Friday to discuss conflict-of-interest allegations.

Norton and Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart accepted a free flight on J.D. Irving Ltd.'s plane last week to attend the State of the Province speech in Fredericton. The mayor says he did nothing wrong.

Norton raised a series of issues and asked if they posed a conflict of interest, such as a councillors attending a firefighters' ball for free and an offer from Irving to help with the snow clearance.

"Most of you attended Port Days and that event included a complimentaryticket for each of you to a seafood and lobster buffet at the expense of the port. Are you now less objective when it comes to the port of Saint John?" he asked.

He asked each councillor if they wanted to amend New Brunswick'sMunicipalities Act, which states councillors shall not accept gift, gratuities or benefits "that could reasonably be seen to influence a decision."

The consensus was no.

Norton then ended the meeting without permitting a discussion on whether or not the existing conflict of interest rules were broken.

The Fredericton speech fell on the day after a blizzard and Norton said earlier that there was nothing wrong with accepting the company's offer of transportation.

"They would normally never extend that offer," said Norton.

"It was an extraordinary circumstance given the road conditions."

However, the city has many direct dealings with the company,and the two parties are at loggerheads over a contract to supply water to the Reversing Falls pulp mill. Millions of dollars could be at stake in that dispute.

Coun. Gerry Lowe said he and fellow councillors were not informed about the flights until contacted by CBC News.

We deal with that family a lot at council on a lot of monetary issues.- Gerry Lowe, Saint John councillor

"We deal with that family a lot at council on a lot of monetary issues," said Lowe.

"Do I think it's appropriate? Probably not."

Coun. Shirley McAlary, a former mayor of the city, is also among those to question the acceptance of the free ride.

"I personally don't think it's a good thing to do that," she said.

"When you accept a favour from a person you're leaving yourself open to the opportunity that at some time you're going to be asked to repay the favour," said McAlary.

"I think I would have stayed home."

Last week was not the first time city officials flew on the JDIplane. In 2013, Norton led a city delegation to a Toronto eventand the group travelled on the Irving company's corporate jet.

A spokesperson for JD Irving Ltd would not consent to a recorded interview.