City of Calgary investigated councillor due to residency concerns
CBC
CBC News has learned that the City of Calgary investigated a member of city council this year because of concerns he may have moved to Saskatchewan.
Coun. Shane Keating was investigated by the city, after the organization wanted to ensure no rules had been broken.
Under provincial law, local politicians must reside in the community they are elected in.
The investigation concluded Keating still lives in Calgary, but as he prepares to leave office after 11 years on council, the episode has left a sour impression on him.
"I'm really disappointed in how this was handled," said Keating.
The fact that he has spent time in Saskatoon over the past 22 months is not a secret.
Keating says his wife was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. As both she and Keating have family supports there, she went to Saskatchewan for her treatment.
The councillor has spent time since then travelling to and from Saskatoon to help care for his spouse.
He said he cleared the situation with council's ethics advisor and senior city officials were aware of the situation.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, travel restrictions made it difficult for him to move between the provinces.
During that time and into 2021, he estimates he was out of Calgary for no longer than two months at a stretch.
He still took part in council meetings remotely and travelled frequently to Calgary for his responsibilities.
As well, he said he maintained his permanent residence in Calgary and kept his Alberta drivers license, health card and all other connections to the city.
However, the city decided to investigate whether had moved to Saskatchewan and become a resident there, something that would make him ineligible to sit on city council.
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