A ruling on whether Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig must continue to sit out of discussions around rapid transit in Waterloo Region is expected this fall.
Craig has declared a conflict of interest and excused himself from rapid transit-related files since 2011 due to his son Michael owning property across from the bus terminal on Ainslie Street in Cambridge.
Cambridge will see adapted bus rapid transit service beginning in 2015, with light rail transit service expected in the future.
Lawyer Douglas O’Toole, representing Craig, made the mayor’s case for being allowed to take park in the discussions in front of a judge Thursday.
“It’s possible that this property that Michael Craig owns may increase in value,” O’Toole told CTV News outside the Kitchener courthouse.
“The fact that Michael Craig owns this property is quite frankly a headache for Mayor Craig. It’s not something he is gratified about or … wishes to exploit.”
O’Toole cited a Region of Waterloo report as saying the most Michael Craig’s property could expect to increase in value by is $24,000.
A representative from the Ministry of the Attorney General was present in court, but did not make any arguments in support of or opposition to Craig’s position – a decision O’Toole took issue with.
“What they were saying to the court today was ‘You can’t force us to participate … we don’t owe anyone an explanation on why we choose not to participate,’ he said.
“That’s troubling from a public policy perspective.”
Also in court was North Dumfries Mayor Rob Deutschmann, who has also declared conflicts of interest in all rapid transit-related matters.
Deutschmann said he was pleased with the outcome of Thursday’s session, but added that whatever ruling is made in Craig’s case will likely have little effect on his own conflict, as he is a direct owner of property in downtown Kitchener along the rapid transit line.
“I wouldn’t bring this matter to court … because my interest is more substantial and more direct than Mayor Craig’s,” he said.
Waterloo Region Chair Ken Seiling has also sat out of rapid transit discussions, citing his own conflict of interest.
