City councillor and businessman Rick Dubeau held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at city hall to address a recent controversy surrounding his business interests.
Local newspaper The Daily Press ran a story on Tuesday which revealed e-mail correspondance between Dubeau, Mayor Steve Black and other members of Timmins city council.
Fellow councillors Joe Campbell and Walter Wawrzaszek were also on hand to show their support.
“First and foremost, I disagree with the manner in which the article was written. I believe that it does not reflect the true nature of the correspondence. The press has taken small excerpts from emails with creative editing and created an imbalanced story,” said Dubeau on Wednesday.
“I am very disappointed that (The Daily Press) released information about our NOHFC applications that I had labelled 'confidential' in my correspondence with members of council,” he added.
The emails suggested that Dubeau had requested to sit-in on meetings with Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle at the recent AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) conference in Niagara Falls.
These brief 15 minute meetings usually only include high level city officials, such as the Mayor and the Chief Administrative Officer.
The emails and subsequent article also suggested that the intent for Dubeau's presence was not for City of Timmins interests, but for his personal business interests with his company Fireline.
Dubeau is seeking financial support from the NOHFC (Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation) to assist in the development of his business, which could create jobs in Timmins.
“I want the support of the city and city council going forward as the Chief Operating Officer of Fireline. I pointed out initially that the head office of Fireline was going to be in Toronto, but I was able to convince my partners to have head office here in Timmins, because of the opportunity for NOHFC money. Going forward, there's an opportunity to do even more in Timmins,” said Dubeau.
He says the opportunity to meet with Gravelle would not have been as Rick Dubeau: City Councillor, it would be as Rick Dubeau: Businessman
“To suggest that there was any attempt by me, or anyone else, to conceal my involvement in Fireline is not factual. I was open with all members of council, and answered all questions, as the emails point out,” he said.
“Minister Gravelle is constantly meeting with individuals, and businesses, seeking support. Fireline would be just one more of many.”
Dubeau is a retired firefighter who appeared on the CBC entrepreneurial pitch program 'Dragon's Den' in 2012.
His company has developed a device called StoveMinder, which is a safety mechanism for use in homes. The device includes a timer which automatically turns off stoves and ranges after a period of time, as well as automatically shutting the stove off if a fire alarm is detected.
After his statement, Dubeau opened the floor up to questions from the media.
TimminsToday asked him about the intent of sitting in on a 15 minute meeting with Gravelle, Mayor Steve Black and CAO Joe Torlone, and if it was the best time to do so.
“Like I said, I didn't ask to speak. I just wanted to be in the room. I've spoken with the Minister before. I've emailed him. I've emailed him our business plan. He likes the idea. He asked me to keep him up to date. I've been doing that on a regular basis. It's just an opportunity to be there and to shake hands with him again, and that's it. If he wanted to ask me a question, then he could have. I was not going to broach the subject,” replied Dubeau.
Later, TimminsToday asked him if he was not intending to speak to Gravelle, why it was so important for him to be there.
“Because I'm trying to create jobs in the City of Timmins. That's it, plain and simple,” said Dubeau.
Dubeau says that within the next 3-6 months, his company will be looking hire sales, warranty and support staff.
