What are Council members supposed to do if they are in a conflict-of-interest on a matter before Council?

Under Section 8 of the Local Governance Act of New Brunswick, Council members are obliged to declare a conflict of interest that they have regarding any matter before Council. For example, a member would be in conflict if asked to approve a grant for a business owned and operated by their spouse or child. To declare the conflict, the member must announce that they have a conflict by citing the related agenda item during the Council meeting. Then, when that issue comes before Council, the member in conflict must leave the meeting, refraining from both discussing and voting on the matter. A member who is aware of a conflict is expected complete a conflict-of-interest form to describe and document the conflict. Any resident of Five Rivers who sees a conflict of interest with a member can report that member’s conflict to the province. If the province finds the accused member to be in conflict, the member may be required to pay a fine and/or step down from Council.