Councillor did not breach confidentiality on Mavrinac “park”: Report

December 11, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Councillor Evelyn Buck did not breach closed session confidentiality last month in discussions over the purchase of a six acre plot of land on Mavrinac Boulevard, according to Town Solicitor Warren Mar.

In a report before Council this week, Mr. Mar and Town Clerk John Leach said “there did not appear to be a breach” of closed session talks on November 12 when Councillor Buck put a potential price tag on what it might cost Aurora to purchase the land from Minto Communities.

In her comments, the Councillor said a potential cost for purchase could be well above “$2.6 million” and that “a legal fight” could ensue between the Town and the developer as earlier in the evening John Mascarin, lawyer for Minto, disputed a clause in the subdivision agreement in question which gives Aurora the first right of refusal for the land.

In their report, Mr. Leach and Mr. Mar state the $2.6 million price is inaccurate “based on the information provided in closed session.”

“It is neither appropriate nor possible for staff to determine if Councillor Buck believed the information she stated to be correct, or whether she intended to disclose confidential information,” they said. “The greatest concern comes from the release of confidential information that could undermine or damage the Town’s position in any potential legal proceeding or negotiation. At this time, there does not appear to be any measurable loss or damage to the Town’s legal position or interests regarding the potential purchase of Block 208 arising from the comments made by Councillor Buck.”