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Chantry, ON – October 23, 2025 – The Council of the Township of Rideau Lakes issues this reprimand to Mayor Arie Hoogenboom following four Integrity Commissioner (IC) reports finding wrongdoing, including one in which the mayor breached the Township’s Code of Conduct by failing to keep communications from the Integrity Commissioner confidential and one in which he made misleading statements in the media.
Breach of Confidentiality (IC-35605-0625) At the MSC meeting on May 26, 2025, Mayor Hoogenboom publicly stated that he was under investigation by the IC. The IC found that this disclosure violated Section 6.2.6(i) of the Code of Conduct, which requires members of Council to maintain confidentiality regarding all communications to and from the IC. The IC stated that it is important for members of Council to be mindful of their obligations under the Code of Conduct to keep information confidential. The report recommended that Council issue a reprimand.
Misleading Public Comments (IC-35595-0625) In a June 4, 2025 interview on CBC Radio’s All in a Day regarding his use of Strong Mayor Powers to veto the Chantry office tender, Mayor Hoogenboom claimed that he had “spoken to the province” and that “they told me I’m well within my power to utilize strong mayor powers in this particular case,” citing MPP Steve Clark as the source.
MPP Clark’s office subsequently called the statement “categorically false” and urged the mayor to “do the honourable thing and immediately retract his untruthful comments.”
Although the mayor claimed to the IC, that his remarks had been “misread and interpreted wrong,” the IC rejected that explanation, writing:
“The mayor is incorrect in his recollection of what he said and in saying that his comments were misread or misinterpreted. Accordingly, the Mayor’s comments were misleading to anyone who heard them.”
The IC found that by making misleading comments Mayor Hoogenboom breached Section 6.10.1 of the Code of Conduct, which requires that members treat Council, staff, and the public appropriately.
Council Statement on Trust and Leadership
Trust in Mayor Hoogenboom is essential for council, staff, and the community to function effectively. Leadership requires truthfulness, sound judgment, and strict respect for confidentiality. When the Mayor discloses confidential information or makes categorically false and untrue statements, it undermines Council’s integrity and damages public confidence. As stated in the Integrity Commissioner’s report, the Mayor acknowledged that he apologized to the MPP and his office in order to maintain his excellent relationship with them. Council, staff, and residents expect and deserve leadership grounded in honesty, accountability, and respect at all times.
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