Charges of councillors getting "blotto" at communtiy events and illicit drug use were bandied about during a Priorities and Finance Committee meeting Tuesday.
During debate on whether to bring members of council in line with administration when it comes to alcohol use while at work, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he has received "multiple complaints of council members getting blotto at community events," and later, that he has received reports, "of illicit substances in the workplace."
When pressed by Coun. Andre Chabot, Nenshi said he has never suspected any members of council of being under the influence during a meeting, and clarified that by saying he wouldn't know what someone on drugs even looks like.
The idea of having random drug tests for elected city officials was raised by Coun. Sean Chu, however Nenshi pointed out the Supreme Court has been very clear that's not acceptable.
Committee members were discussing a recommendation to bring them under the same rules as administrators and city employees, which would mean they can't have alcohol in their offices, nor drink it during work hours.
Councillors will be allowed to have a drink at community events, but will have to remain "fit for duty," said auditor Kathy Palmer.
Whether someone is fit to work would be a discretionary decision made by other members of council, said Palmer.
More to come ...
complaints of City of Calgary Councillors getting drunk and using illicit drugs
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I thought there are companies out there that do random drug testing. Or was this something in the past that no longer happens? If it does still happen then what is the comment above mean that this is not acceptable?
Originally Posted by killramos
