Mayor Sutcliffe denies lobbying complaint from rival
Alex Lawson filed ethics complaint with integrity commissioner over Sutcliffe's dealings with lobbying firm Syntax Strategic.
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Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's office says he followed all applicable rules and disclosure requirements in response to a complaint filed by mayoral rival Alex Lawson alleging code of conduct breaches.
Lawson submitted his complaint to Karen Shepherd, the city's integrity commissioner, on June 4, asking for an investigation into five alleged violations. He also requested a determination on five additional matters he said could constitute lobbying without proper disclosure.
The allegations centre on communications between Sutcliffe's office and Syntax Strategic. Syntax founder Jennifer Stewart was named one of Sutcliffe's honorary campaign co-chairs in the 2022 election. Lawson claims the correspondence shows a "cozy relationship" between the mayor and former campaign members who are now lobbyists.
Syntax COO Jennifer Madigan dismissed the complaint as "spurious," saying the activities described were "routine event support" and "stakeholder engagement." She noted Lawson's own background as a consultant with a lobbying firm.
The first allegation involves a speech Sutcliffe delivered in April at the opening of Alt Hotel Ottawa Airport. Lawson said the mayor received talking points from Syntax on behalf of hotel companies. Sutcliffe's team defended the appearance, saying the mayor attends business openings regularly and no lobbying occurred.
Lawson's campaign acquired 100 pages of emails and documents through a freedom of information request and posted them on his campaign website alongside the full complaint.
The integrity commissioner will now decide whether to investigate.