Saskatoon mayor says Coun. Darren Hill to speak at upcoming meeting

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says he’s not in a position to speak for or about Ward 1 councillor Darren Hill.

However, Hill will get the chance to do so on his own, at Monday’s regular council meeting.

In a report filed Thursday, Saskatoon returning officer Scott Bastian noted Hill didn’t send in his campaign disclosure forms until March 4, more than two weeks after the Feb. 16 deadline. Eight other candidates also sent in their paperwork late.

According to Bylaw 8491, The Campaign Disclosure and Spending Limits Bylaw, 2006, Section 24, council candidates who file their paperwork after the posted deadline are potentially subject to fines of up to $5,000 per day until the necessary documents are submitted.

In Hill’s case, however, because he is an elected official, Section 25 (1) of that bylaw also states that “if a candidate who is elected contravenes any provision of this Bylaw, the candidate is disqualified from Council and shall resign immediately.”

The following subsection also states, “Notwithstanding subsection (1), where on application a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench is of the opinion that the disqualification of the candidate arose through inadvertence or by reason of an honest mistake, the candidate shall not be required to resign.”

In an emailed statement to 650 CKOM, Clark says Hill “will have the opportunity to address City Council about this on Monday at the Council meeting.”

Clark adds: “City Council has been provided legal options and is following due process.”

It’s not clear whether members of the public will get a chance to see what the rest of city council may decide, or how.

In the statement, Clark adds: “We will be making a decision after the Monday Council meeting.”

Hill says he explained in writing to Bastian the reasons for filing late, including a COVID-19 diagnosis on Feb. 1 that has left him with intermittent “brain fog,” among other COVID-related ailments.

He also said he’s still recovering from a traumatic head injury he suffered in late 2016.