Under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, members of Council must declare any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in matters being considered. This ensures transparency, accountability, and fairness in the decision-making process.
What Is a Pecuniary Interest?
A pecuniary interest arises when a member of Council, or someone close to them, could financially benefit or lose from a decision. Examples include:
- Ownership of property or businesses involved in the matter.
- Family or close associates with financial stakes.
Members must remove themselves from discussions and decisions where such conflicts exist.
Declaration Process
- Verbal Declaration: During a meeting, the member must verbally declare their pecuniary interest before the matter is discussed.
- Written Declaration: The member must also submit a written declaration to the Township Clerk.
- Registry of Declarations: The Clerk maintains a public registry of all declared interests.
To view the hard copy of the registry, contact the Clerks Department at clerk@meaford.ca
List of Declared Pecuniary Interests
Below is the list of declarations made by Council members.
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| January 12, 2026 | Councillor Harley Greenfield | 10.a) CAO2026-01 | Dr. Recoskie is the physician of myself and my wife |
| January 12, 2026 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | 9.1.a CAO2025-39 | Member of Meaford Rotary Club |
| February 2, 2026 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Closed Session | |
| February 3, 2026 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Budget Discussions / Trowbridge St. Reconstruction | Member of Meaford Rotary House Committee |
| March 23, 2026 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | 7.a) Presentation from Meaford Culture Foundation – TIFF to MIFF | Member of MCF Board of Directors |
| May 11, 2026 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | 7.a) Presentation from Dave Lambe – Centre Street Property | Mr. Lambe is a member of my campaign team |
| July 27, 2026 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | United Way Presentation 10. a) #3 | Member of Meaford Rotary House Committee |
| August 10, 2026 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | 12.2(2) – INF2026-15 – Trowbridge Street West Reconstruction Update | Chair of Rotary House Committee located at 37 Trowbridge St W |
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| January 15, 2025 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 5.a) Closed Session | Declared a conflict on it becoming clear that a pecuniary interest in a portion of the matter was had, and left the meeting during which the interest was discussed. |
| March 24, 2025 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 4 | Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof |
| June 23, 2025 | Mayor Ross Kentner | Item 14.a) Closed Session | |
| June 23, 2025 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 14.a) Closed Session | |
| June 23, 2025 | Councillor RobUhrig | Item 11.2 | |
| September 8, 2025 | Councillor Brandon Forder | 7A – GTHS Presentation | |
| September 8, 2025 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | 9.2.b) – DEV2025-2020825-45 | |
| September 8, 2025 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | 9.2.b) – DEV2025-2020825-45 | |
| September 8, 2025 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | 10.b) CAO2025-25 | |
| October 28, 2025 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Proceedings of the Special Council Meeting held on October 28, 2025 | I have received the attached advice from our Integrity Commissioner |
| November 17, 2025 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | 9.1.a) CAO2025-36 | Member of MCF Board of Directors |
| December 15, 2025 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | 10.a) CAO2025-39 | Member of Meaford Rotary Club |
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| Jan 15, 2024 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 9.2a) By-law 2024-01 – Deputy Fire Chief Appointment | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a friend of the training officer for the Meaford Fire Department. |
| Jan 15, 2024 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Presentation from Institute of Southern Georgian Bay | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a member of a taskforce of this group. |
| Jan 26, 2024 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 5.a) 2024 Draft Operating Budget Presentation | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a member of the Southern Georgian Bay Institute further to their request for funding. |
| Feb 12, 2024 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Closed session item b) | Declared a conflict due to having an interest in this project. |
| Apr 15, 2024 | Councillor Brandon Forder | Closed session – item 13a) | Declared a conflict forStrengthening Our Community Advisory Committee selection due to his wife was an applicant for that committee. |
| September 18, 2024 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 9.a) COM2024-12 – Godfrey Apartments | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a member of the Rotary Club and the Godfrey Apartment Committee. |
| September, 23, 2024 | Councillor Brandon Forder | Item 6.a) Greg Ayrheart – Speed Limits | Declared a conflict due to living on the street in question. |
| September, 23, 2024 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 6.a) Dan White, Chair, Meaford Culture Foundation – Meaford Culture Foundation request for contract renewal at Meaford Hall | Declared a conflict due to being on the Meaford Cultural Foundation Board of Directors. |
| October 7, 2024 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8.2b) DEV2024-26 & By-law 2024-49 | Declared a conflict due to living near the subject lands. |
| October 7, 2024 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 8.2b) DEV2024-26 & By-law 2024-49 | Declared a conflict due to living near the subject lands. |
| November 4, 2024 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 4a) 2025 Fees and Charges | Declared a conflict due to being on the Board of Directors for the Meaford Culture Foundation. |
| November 4, 2024 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 4a) 2025 Fees and Charges | Declared a conflict due to being a Rotary Club member. |
| November 25, 2024 | Councillor Brandon Forder | Item 6a) Presentations – Georgian Triangle Humane Society | Declared a conflict due to his personal pet retail business has an ongoing relationship with GTHS. |
| December 2, 2024 | Mayor Ross Kentner | Item 5a) Closed Session | Declared a conflict on it becoming clear that a pecuniary interest in a portion of the matter was had, and left the meeting during which the interest was discussed. |
| December 5, 2024 | Mayor Ross Kentner | Item 5a) Closed Session | Declared a conflict on it becoming clear that a pecuniary interest in a portion of the matter was had, and left the meeting during which the interest was discussed. |
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| January 16, 2023 | Councillor Brandon Forder | Item 6 a) Georgian Triangle Humane Society – Regional Centre for Pets and People | Declared a conflict of interest due to his company, Canadian Pet Connection, often working in partnership with GTHS. |
| March 13, 2023 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Closed Session (2022 Legal Update) – Gordon Crescent | Declared a conflict of interest due to a financial connection to this project. |
| April 17, 2023 | Councillor Brandon Forder | Item 6b) Deputations on Agenda Items and Item 9a) COM2023-14 Request for Purchase – Part Sideroad 22 | Declared a conflict of interest due to his person residence within 200m of the subject lands. |
| May 1, 2023 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 10.2a) Motions for Decision – Transfer of Funds and Assets to Christmas on the Bay Not-For-Profit Organization | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a member of the Christmas on the Bay Steering Committee. |
| May 8, 2023 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 5c) Community Well-being Bursary Program- Christmas on the Bay | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a member of the Christmas on the Bay Steering Committee. |
| May 9, 2023 | Councillor Steve Bartley | Item 6 Motions for Decision – Community Well-being Bursary Program | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a member of the Bognor Hall Board. |
| May 9, 2023 | Councillor Brandon Forder | Item 6 Motions for Decision – Community Well-being Bursary Program | Declared a conflict of interest due to his spouse being the Community Outreach Director for the Meaford Culture Foundation. |
| May 9, 2023 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 6 Motions for Decision – Community Well-being Bursary Program | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a member of the Rotary Club of Meaford and of the Goldenaires’ ladies choir. |
| May 9, 2023 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 6 Motions for Decision – Community Well-being Bursary Program | Declared a conflict of interest due to being the Corporate Secretary for the Meaford Culture Foundation, and for being on the Christmas on the Bay Steering Committee. |
| Nov 6, 2023 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 5b) Zoning By-law amendment (Z10-2023) 206080 Hwy 26 | Declared a conflict of interest on the basis that her home abuts the subject property. |
| Nov 6, 2023 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 5b) Zoning By-law amendment (Z10-2023) 206080 Hwy 26 | Declared a conflict of interest due to his residence being located immediately south of the subject property. |
| Nov 27, 2023 | Councillor Rob Uhrig | Item 8.2.a) DEV2023-26 & By-law 2023-72 – Zoning By-law Amendment (206080 Highway 26) | Declared a conflict of interest due to his residence being located immediately south of the subject property. |
| Nov 27, 2023 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8.2.a) DEV2023-26 & By-law 2023-72 – Zoning By-law Amendment (206080 Highway 26) | Declared a conflict of interest due to her residence being located immediately south of the subject property. |
| Nov 27, 2023 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 9.b) COM2023-31 – Meaford Fire Department Establishing & Regulating By-law | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a friend of the training officer for the Meaford Fire Department. |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Councillor Tony Bell | Item 8.2d) DEV2023-26 & By-law 2023-72 – Zoning By-law Amendment (206080 Highway 26) | Declared a conflict of interest due to owning a metal/machining business and may make or lose customer base. |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8.1(b) Meaford Fire Department Establishing & Regulating By-law | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a friend of the training officer for the Meaford Fire Department. |
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| February 16, 2022 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 7 Council Inquiries | Declared a conflict of interest due to being involved in a property issue on land adjacent to the Stanley Knight parcel that is now owned by Skydev. |
| April 25, 2022 | Councillor Harley Greenfield | Item 9 c) Bognor Post Office Agreement | Declared a conflict of interest relating to Item 9(c) due to a perceived conflict with his wife working part time for Canada Post. |
| May 9, 2022 | Councillor Harley Greenfield | Item 8.1 c) Bognor Post Office Agreement | Declared a conflict of interest relating to Item 8.1 (c) due to a perceived conflict with his wife working part time for Canada Post. |
| June 13, 2022 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 9a) Renaming Rotary Pavilion | Declared a conflict of interest due to being a proud Rotarian and her late husband having assisted with the construction of the “Russ Bumstead Rotary Pavilion” |
| November 7, 2022 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8.2 g)DEV2022-20, h)By-law 2022-76, and i) By-law 2022-77 (Meaford Haven) | Declared a conflict of interest due to a perceived conflict because her property abuts Meaford Haven. |
| November 7, 2022 | Councillor Paul Vickers | Item 5 a) Official Plan Amendment 33 & Zoning By-law Amendment Z08-22 | Declared a conflict of interest due to business dealings with the applicant. |
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| January 11, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 7.2 e) DEV2021-01 By-law 2021-06 ZBLA Phase 2 Meaford Golf Course | Declared a conflict for a period of 1 year due to late husband’s job as a real estate agent involved in the project. |
| February 1, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8 c) DEV2021-06 Site Plan Approval & Holding Removal – Cook Street Town Homes | A perceived conflict due to her businesses proximity to the proposed construction site. |
| March 8, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 7.1 e) 2021-20 Site Plan Agreement – Cook Street Town Homesandf) 2021-21 Holding Removal – Cook Street Town Homes | A perceived conflict due to her business proximity to the proposed construction site. |
| March 8, 2021 | Councillor Paul Vickers | Item 4 a) Grey County Federation of Agriculture Update | A perceived conflict due to his position as Zone 2 on the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. |
| March 15, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 4 a) Plan of Condominium – Joint Meeting with Grey County | A perceived conflict due to her late husband’s business dealings with the developer. |
| March 22, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8 g) DEV2021-16 22nd Sideroad Purchase Request | A perceived conflict due to her late husband having acted as the real estate agent for the sale of land to the applicant. |
| April 12, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 7.1 e) DEV2021-16 22nd Sideroad Purchase Request – Diedre Devins & Manuel Dias | A perceived conflict due to her late husband having acted as the real estate agent for the sale of land to the applicant. |
| April 12, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 7.2 b) DEV2021-22 – Meaford Golf Course Draft Plan of Condominium (42CDM-2020-07) | Declared a conflict for a period of 1 year due to late husband’s job as a real estate agent involved in the project. |
| May 18, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 5.1 a) Z04-2021 Zoning By-law Amendment and Proposed Exchange/Sale of Lands – 226 Boucher Street | Declared a conflict of interest due to an ownership interest in a portion of the parcel of land under consideration. |
| June 28, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8. c) DEV2021-33 – 22nd Sideroad Property Acquisition | Declared a conflict of interest due to her late husband having acted as a real estate agent in the sale of the land to the applicant. |
| July 26, 2021 | Councillor Harley Greenfield | Item 7.2 d) COR2021-44 – Temporary Facility Use Agreement at Bognor Hall | Declared a conflict of interest due to his wife being a local employee of Canada Post. |
| September 13, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 8 d) DEV2021-36 Meaford Golf Course Phase 2 Development Agreement | Declared a conflict of interest due to her late husband acting as a real estate agent for the proponent. |
| September 27, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 7.1 c) By-law 2021-68 – Meaford Golf Course Phase 2 Development Agreement | Declared a conflict of interest due to her late husband acting as a real estate agent for the proponent. |
| October 18, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 12 – Closed Session, CAO Performance Review | Declared a conflict of interest in regards to the portion of the discussion relating to Third Line Homes. |
| October 25, 2021 | Councillor Tony Bell | Item 4 a) Zoning By-law Amendment (Z12-2021) | Declared a conflict of interest as this home machine shop would be directly one sideroad back of his machine shop on Highway 26. |
| November 9, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 5 a) Revised Zoning By-law Amendment (Z04-21) and Plan of Condominium (County File 42CDM-2021-02) | Declared a conflict of interest due a part owner of a piece of property adjacent to the site of the development Skydev has made an offer to purchase. |
| November 29, 2021 | Councillor Tony Bell | Item 8.2 a) Zoning Amendment Z12-21 (245350 22nd Sideroad) | Declared a conflict of interest as owner of a machine shop in a nearby location. |
| November 29, 2021 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | 11 b) Minutes from the Planning Public Meeting – November 9, 2021 | Declared a conflict of interest as a part owner of the adjacent property to the Knight’s land which SkyDev also has offered to purchase. |
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| January 13, 2020 | Deputy Mayor Keaveney | Item 7.2 b) Zoning Amendment Z06-19 – 78 Victoria St. (Clancy) | A family interest in the Victoria Street request |
| May 25, 2020 | Councillor Steve Bartley | Item 8 d) DEV2020-21 Consent Agreement – 063518 Sunny Valley Road | A potential financial impact on his property value. |
| June 8, 2020 | Councillor Steve Bartley | Item 8 d) DEV2020-21 Consent Agreement – 063518 Sunny Valley Road | A potential financial impact on his property value. |
| June 8, 2020 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 9 d) DEV2020-26 22nd Sideroad Extension Agreement | A perceived conflict with her husband’s involvement in the real estate deal. |
| June 22, 2020 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | Item 7.1 c) By-law 2020-38 22nd Sideroad Extension Agreement | A perceived conflict with her husband’s involvement in the real estate deal. |
| November 30, 2020 | Councillor Ross Kentner | Item 8 e) CAO2020-24 CIP Grants & Loans | Councillor Kenter is a member of the United Church board. |
| Date | Name | Item | Nature of Conflict |
| March 4, 2019 | Councillor Harley Greenfield | Item 4.0 a) Closed Session | Closed Session – Named as a defendant in lawsuit – later dropped. Young girl who was injured is a relative. |
| December 10, 2018 | Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney | 8.26 By-Law 2018-90 | Husband is a partner in the Golf Course Development. |
| April 8, 2019 | Councillor Tony Bell | Item 8. f) FIM2019-20 2019 Purchasing of Goods, Services and Construction Amendments | Stated no goods, services or construction shall be purchased by the Municipality from any member of Council who is an officer of such business without express approval by Council. |
| April 8, 2019 | Councillor Harley Greenfield | Item 8. f) FIM2019-20 2019 Purchasing of Goods, Services and Construction Amendments | Masonry repair work on Municipal Building – repair vs. construction P. 8Lack of WSIB or alternative P. 23Conflict of interest P. 27 |
| April 29, 2019 | Councillor Tony Bell | Item 8.2 a) By-law 2019-40 Purchasing of Goods, Services and Construction Policy | No goods, services or construction shall be purchased by the Municipality from members of Council who is an officer of such business without express approval by Council (I own Bluewater Machine). |
| April 29, 2019 | Councillor Harley Greenfield | Item 8.2 a) By-law 2019-40 Purchasing of Goods, Services and Construction Policy | As a tradesman I frequently do construction work for the Municipality. |
| June 3, 2019 | Deputy Mayor Keaveney | Item 4.0 a) Community Bursary Presentations (Goldenaires) | Deputy Mayor Keaveney is the treasurer of the Goldenaires. |
| June 4, 2019 | Councillor Ross Kentner | Item 4.0 a) Community Bursary Presentations (Meaford United Church) | Councillor Kentner is a member of the board of the Meaford United Church. |
| December 2, 2019 | Deputy Mayor Keaveney | Item 11 f) Letter – Chamber of Commerce Request, Meaford Tourism Apple | Councillor Kentner is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. |
| December 2, 2019 | Councillor Ross Kentner | Item 11 f) Letter – Chamber of Commerce Request, Meaford Tourism Apple | Councillor Kentner is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. |
| December 16, 2019 | Deputy Mayor Keaveney | Item 7 e) DEV2019-13 Gordon Crescent Assumption | A family interest in this development |
| December 16, 2019 | Deputy Mayor Keaveney | Item 12 a) ZBLA File Z06-19 78 Victoria Street | A family interest in the Victoria Street request |
Formal Code of Conduct Complaints
Formal complaints are handled by and must be submitted to the Municipality’s Integrity Commissioner. The Integrity Commissioner is appointed by Council and is responsible for:
- Providing advice to Council on the Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Committees and Boards.
- Providing advice to Council on the development of procedures, rules and policies of the municipality governing the ethical behaviour of members of Council and local boards.
- Acting as a proactive educator for Council and local boards, administration and the public.
- Serving as an advisor to individual members of Council and local boards in relation to the applicable Code of Conduct and any procedures, rules and policies of the municipality governing their ethical behaviour, including the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
- Receiving and reviewing complaints about breaches of ethical behaviour including conflict of interest matters, and seeking an appropriate resolution in each case.
- Where it is in the public interest to do so, conducting formal investigations and making findings and recommendations to Council or the applicable local board.
- Providing periodic reports to Council, summarizing their activities and summarizing important developments in the field.
If you would like to report a concern about a Conflict of Interest issue, please contact the Municipality’s Integrity Commissioner.