Supreme Court Justice J.J. Steeves dismissed a petition against Wiebe brought by 15 complainants under the Vancouver Charter. Steeves ruled that the Green Party councillor's ownership of Vancouver's Eight ½ Restaurant and part interest in the Portside Pub did not constitute a direct conflict of interest because the TEPP applies broadly to all Vancouver restaurants. Eight ½ Restaurant was one of the first 14 businesses to receive temporary patio permits from the city. An earlier independent investigation by lawyer Raymond E. Young found that Wiebe's "conflict of interest actions cannot be viewed as an error in judgment made in good faith." Last year, Weibe compared his actions to city councillors who own property and vote to decrease property taxes, although he did also issue an apology.

Source: CBC News July 19, 2021 23:26 UTC