Coun. Zoë Royer's notice of motion calling for a baseline study of goods being stored in and shipped through Port Moody, as well as a bylaw requiring consultation before changes to those baseline amounts, made specific mention of Pacific Coast Terminals.
Her speech prompted Coun. Diana Dilworth, who has recently hired as PCT's community relations co-ordinator, to respond.
"I'm going to do something unusual and comment on behalf of PCT," Dilworth said, noting Royer had missed a recent tour of the facilities organized for city council and staff.
"I wish she had taken the opportunity before portraying the industry in such a negative and unflattering light," Dilworth said, adding that the "nasty stuff" Royer referred to is regulated by the provincial and federal governments as well as Port Metro Vancouver. Dilworth suggested Royer should have saved her comments until after visiting PCT.
Royer has since stated she was unable to attend the council tour because of work commitments but had booked a spot on an upcoming tour for the environmental protection committee.
In an interview Thursday, Dilworth said she wasn't comfortable discussing the merits of Royer's motion because of the potential for conflict of interest. She said she has yet to decide whether she'll step away from the debate on the motion at the next meeting and will wait for the staff report before making the call.
Asked if she was able to remain objective on concerns or issues raised about her employer, Dilworth said she's confident in her ability to separate her two roles.
Mayor Mike Clay said he has no concerns about the situation. "Everybody works somewhere, and she knows as well as anybody what constitutes a conflict of interest and she'd be the first to excuse herself if there was [one]."
The Community Charter, which governs city council procedures, states a council member must declare a conflict of interest if she has a direct or indirect financial interest in a matter. It also states a council member must not remain at a meeting or participate in the discussion of a matter in which they have a financial interest.
