Mountain councillors scrutinized for accepting gifts - Duvall, Whitehead accepted invite to Ticats box seats

Did councillors Terry Whitehead and Scott Duvall do something wrong when they attended a Hamilton Tiger-Cats football game in businessman Chris Ecklund’s private box at Ivor Wynne Stadium?

It was the highlight of a debate this week by members of the transparency and accountability committee involving what is a gift to politicians.

Committee member Joanna Chapman said she read in Hamilton Biz Magazine that Mr. Ecklund, a Mountain businessman, had a few councillors in his box during a Tiger-Cats game. Ms. Chapman was unnerved by having local politicians hobnobbing privately with business people such as Mr. Ecklund, arguing they can easily get access to politicians to lobby for their interests.

“I don’t like the feel of that,” she said. “He could be lobbying on behalf of Chris Ecklund, to get his name in the paper.”

Coun. Duvall acknowledged he was in the private box and spoke to Mr. Ecklund, who he calls a friend.

“I never went again,” he said “I didn’t think about it. It’s a good point.”

Coun. Whitehead also admitted he was in the box. He said he gave up his better seats to talk with Mr. Ecklund, who is also a friend.