A London, Ont., councillor, Sam Trosow, was caught on camera appearing to drink a beer during a virtual council meeting on Sept. 24. Trosow, who was out of town at the time, turned on his camera during the meeting and was seen taking a sip of a frothy, amber-coloured beverage. He later stated that it could have been a non-alcoholic beer, but he was unsure. The incident has raised eyebrows among other council members and the public.
Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis stated that he did not see the incident during the meeting but was later approached by members of the community who questioned Trosow’s actions. Lewis emphasized that it is not the responsibility of council members to police each other and directed concerned individuals to contact the integrity commissioner’s office. While the code of conduct for councillors does not explicitly address the issue of drinking during meetings, it does mention decorum, which many would argue should include refraining from consuming alcoholic beverages in such settings.
John Mascarin, a Toronto lawyer specializing in municipal politics, suggested that it should be common sense for council members to show respect during formal meetings by abstaining from consuming alcohol. While the code of conduct may not explicitly mention this, it is generally expected as part of proper behavior. Trosow, who is currently out of town until Sunday, expressed regret over the incident and acknowledged that he may face consequences from any complaints lodged with the integrity commissioner.
Lewis stated that he is unsure if any complaints have been lodged with the integrity commissioner regarding Trosow’s actions, as it is not standard practice to inform council members of complaints against each other. Trosow, however, is prepared to accept any consequences resulting from the incident. He also expressed regret that his actions have detracted from the important debates and decisions being made during the council meeting. The incident has sparked discussions about the expectations of conduct for councillors during official meetings and the potential consequences for failing to adhere to those expectations.
The incident involving Coun. Trosow has attracted public attention and raised questions about appropriate behavior for council members during meetings. While the code of conduct does not explicitly address the issue of consuming alcohol during meetings, the general expectation is that councillors should behave with decorum and respect. Trosow, who has acknowledged that his actions were a lapse in judgment, may potentially face repercussions through the integrity commissioner’s office. However, it remains unclear if any formal complaints have been lodged against him. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding professional standards and decorum in public office.
