Court hears Resolute conflict case

Justice Earl Johnston has reserved judgment in a case involving a conflict-of-interest complaint against Aziz Kheraj, the mayor of Resolute Bay.

Wayne Davidson, a Resolute Bay hamlet councillor, is alleging that by housing Resolute Bay’s new senior administrative officer, Rick Doucet, in a hotel that he owns, Kheraj is either in a conflict of interest, or has created an appearance of conflict of interest.

Davidson’s original petition to the court asked that, if his allegations are proven, both Kheraj and Doucet be removed from their positions. But Doucet was dropped from the action at the beginning of the hearing, since he’s not a member of council.

He added another conflict-of-interest allegation in his petition however, alleging that Kheraj raised the hamlet’s snow removal rates to make them uncompetitive with a business that he owns.

It’s not certain when Johnston will announce his decision.