Integrity Commissioner Clears Hébert of Conflict of Interest, Finds Code Breaches Over Tone and Process

Cornwall City Councillor Carilyne Hébert has been cleared of any conflict of interest following a complaint related to comments she made during a September 24, 2025 meeting of the Glen Stor Dun Lodge Committee of Management, according to a report released December 15 by Integrity Commissioner David Boghosian.

The complaint, filed anonymously, alleged that Hébert violated multiple sections of the City’s Code of Conduct by advocating union positions, showing preferential treatment, improperly using her influence, and failing to declare a conflict of interest due to a family member residing at the Lodge.

After reviewing meeting minutes, written submissions, and testimony from multiple participants, the Integrity Commissioner rejected the claims of preferential treatment and conflict of interest. The report concludes that Hébert’s comments were motivated by concern for resident care and staffing conditions at the long-term care facility, not personal gain or benefit to a family member or union representatives.

However, the Commissioner did find that Hébert breached sections of the Code of Conduct related to communications and respect for staff neutrality. Specifically, the report states that Hébert publicly questioned the accuracy and integrity of Lodge administration without first verifying information she had received from union officials, and that her remarks at the meeting were expressed as statements rather than questions seeking clarification.

The report also found that Council had been accurately informed in August 2025 about the impacts of the staffing realignment, including the elimination of seven personal support worker positions and the reassignment of some staff to evening and overnight shifts, contrary to claims made during the September meeting.

As a result, the Integrity Commissioner recommended that Council issue a formal reprimand and that Hébert apologize to Lodge Administrator Cathy Fisher for publicly suggesting that administration had misled Council or the Committee of Management.

In a letter released to residents following the report, Hébert accepted the Commissioner’s findings where fault was identified and issued a public apology to Fisher. She acknowledged that she should have verified certain information before raising it publicly and that her tone at the September meeting was insensitive toward Lodge administration. Hébert emphasized that her intent was to advocate for residents and frontline staff, not to question anyone’s integrity.

Hébert also clarified that her comments describing the Committee of Management as “another level of bureaucracy” were directed at the structure of the process, not her County councillor colleagues, and stemmed from frustration over the committee’s limited decision-making authority.

The report notes that Hébert had previously sought advice from the Integrity Commissioner’s office regarding potential conflicts after her family member became a resident at the Lodge and was advised that no conflict of interest existed under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act or the City’s Code of Conduct.

At a subsequent Committee of Management meeting on November 19, administration advised that a compromise had been reached with CUPE Local 1792 regarding staffing changes. Hébert publicly commended Lodge leadership for continuing discussions that resulted in a revised approach focused on resident care.

Despite the Code breaches identified, the Integrity Commissioner concluded that Hébert’s actions were driven by genuine concern for the well-being of residents and not by improper motives. No suspension or financial penalty was recommended.