New Tecumseth deputy mayor, Beeton councillor cleared of conflict allegations
Posted November 17, 2025
An eight page ruling dated Nov. 7, 2025 by the Town's Integrity Commissioner (Aird Berlis) concluded Deputy Mayor Stephanie MacLellan and Ward 6 councillor Nicole Cox did not contravene Municipal Conflict of Interest Act related to voting on land use planning matters.
While the complainant is not identified in the IC report, all indications point to Rizzardo Bros. as the two dates referenced for the alleged conflicted votes complained about - Feb. 25 and June 5 - referenced in the allegations are related to their Tecumseth Estates land in Beeton (as part of the growth management settlement area), and Previn Court Homes in Alliston.
The application to the IC was filed July 8, 2025, alleging MacLellan and Cox contravened the MCIA "because they participated in discussions and voted on matters in which they have an indirect pecuniary interest," according to the ruling. "Specifically, the Application alleges that the Members have an indirect pecuniary interest in land use planning matters affecting lands within the Town owned by a particular group of companies (Rizzardo Bros).
Prior to their winning seats on council - MacLellan in 2018, Cox in 2022 - both founded a local group dubbed "Save the Beeton Woods" that opposed plans to clear cut about 35 acres of forest on the Tecumseth Estates 9th Line property in 2014-15. The fight took place at the Simcoe County level because the upper tier regulates forestry conseravation for properties larger than one hectare (2.47 acres). After months of opposition the County sided with Tecumseth Estates. AWARE Simcoe a citizens’ group founded initially in opposition to the landfill proposal in Tiny Township and grew to include broad environmental and ground water protections, became involved in Beeton and sought a Judicial Review of Simcoe County’s hearing and decision regarding Beeton Woods.
The group lost and the Rizzardo Bros, won a cost award in Novemer 2015, which according to the IC report, still has not been collected. The allegation of conflict suggested that MacLellan and Cox had indirect pecuniary interest from their involvement as members of AWARE Simcoe.
"According to the Application, the Members’ indirect pecuniary interest arises from the unclaimed Costs Award owed by the Citizens’ Group to the Landowner arising from the Legal Proceedings. The Application alleges, “...In this case, the Councillors were and/or are members of [the Citizens’ Group], an organization which has a clear pecuniary interest in the matter due to the outstanding Costs Award..."
Both told the IC they were not members of the Citizens’ Group at any time during which they have been elected members of Council.
"We (IC) find the Members are not members of the Citizens’ Group. As such, the Citizens’ Group’s pecuniary interests are not the indirect pecuniary interests of the Members pursuant to sub-clause 2(a)(iii) of the MCIA. ... We also find the Application fails to establish that Council’s consideration of and decision on the part lot control exemption would have any financial impact on the Citizens’ Group’s (and therefore the Members’) financial interests. We find the notional possibility that the Costs Award could be enforced by the Landowner against the Citizens’ Group or the Members does not impute to the Members a pecuniary interest in all matters that come before Council with the potential to affect the Landowner. .... Applications cannot be made to prospectively thwart members from voting on matters in which they are alleged to have a pecuniary interest. Compliance with the MCIA is the personal responsibility of each member of council."
The complainant has six weeks to file an appeal with the judge.
"Council has no role in this determination," according to the IC. "Council cannot direct us to make an application to the Court nor can it seek to impose a penalty or sanction."
Click to read the IC report https://shorturl.at/Pj7ZA
