Kircher legal costs to Fort Frances taxpayers exceed $122K

Taxpayers of the Town of Fort Frances have paid over $122,000 in legal fees relating to proceedings involving former councillor David Kircher.

Kircher resigned from council in May 2024 following findings of the municipal integrity commissioner which recommended that council sanction his conduct. After his resignation, Kircher commenced an application for judicial review of the integrity commissioner's report.

Kircher's application for judicial review does not appear to have yet been heard by the Divisional Court. It is unclear what practical purpose the application serves given that Kircher resigned his seat and the term of council will end later this year.

In response to a requested filed under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Town confirmed that $25,312.00 was paid by taxpayers relating to the code of conduct complaints against Kircher (those complaints were made by council itself), and that since that time, a further $97.480.77 has been incurred to pay lawyers representing the Town and the integrity commissioner in Kircher's judicial review proceeding.

For further background, here's my May 2024 post about the commissioner's recommendation that Kircher be sanctioned. The post includes a link to the integrity commissioner's report.

Douglas W. Judson