The deadline for applications to participate in the judicial inquiry into the 2012 sale of 50 per cent of Collus to PowerStream is 10 days away.
An announcement posted to the inquiry’s website states all parties wishing to participate in the inquiry hearings must fill out and submit an application by 4 p.m. July 20 via hard copy or email.
According to the website, an eligible participant is someone with substantial and direct interest in the subject matter, someone who is likely to be notified of a possible finding of misconduct, someone whose participation would further the conduct of the inquiry and someone whose participation would contribute to the openness and fairness of the inquiry.
Ultimately it’s the judge who decides whether an applicant is eligible to participate in the inquiry hearings.
There will be a hearing on the applications submitted on August 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the council chambers at town hall. The other hearings related to the judicial inquiry will also be open to a public audience.
The inquiry is a result of a council motion passed this Februrary, and it is led by Honourable Mr. Justice Frank Marrocco. He has a team of two on the judicial counsel plus a contingent of staff to work through the documents and other evidence related to the Collus sale.
According to the inquiry website, the mandate is “to inquire into the sequence of events leading to the sale transaction, the request for proposal (RFP) process, fees and benefits paid to anyone in relation to the sale transaction, contracts entered into among the parties.”
Additionally, the inquiry team will look into how the money the town earned in the sale of the shares was spent. Marrocco will also be examining the impacts of the events on ratepayers in Collingwood.
In the end, Marrocco will make recommendations he deems appropriate and in the public interest.
A judicial inquiry does not look into or lay charges related to criminal activity.
