# Westmount Mayor Challenges Evidence in Ethics Case Mayor Michael Stern seeks to exclude a recorded conversation from his ethics hearing. - **Source:** [La Presse](https://www.lapresse.ca) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/edb55028-84cb-4009-8075-b9b27367c96d ## Ethics charges against Mayor Westmount Mayor Michael Stern faces seven ethics charges before the Commission municipale du Québec. The Direction des enquêtes et des poursuites en intégrité municipale alleges he behaved disrespectfully toward municipal staff. These accusations stem from his conduct during meetings held in April and May, marking a significant challenge for his first political term. ## Contested audio recording The core of the dispute involves a nine-minute audio recording from May 22. After a Teams meeting ended, Mayor Stern and two councilors continued a conversation, unaware the recording software remained active. This recording allegedly contains disparaging remarks about city employees, forming the basis for five of the seven ethics charges currently pending. ## Failed exclusion attempts Mayor Stern has repeatedly sought to suppress the recording. His initial request to exclude the evidence was rejected by the Commission on October 26. A subsequent motion for a sealing order and non-disclosure was also largely denied, with the Commission ruling that only specific segments involving legal advice should remain confidential and sealed. ## Judicial review appeal Following the Commission's refusal to suppress the evidence, Mayor Stern has turned to the Superior Court. His legal team filed an application for judicial review to overturn the Commission's previous procedural decisions. This move aims to prevent the recording from being used as evidence during the ongoing administrative hearings regarding his professional conduct. ## Hearing postponement granted Administrative Judge Mélanie Robert ordered a pause in the ethics proceedings until November 20. The judge determined that continuing the hearing would render the mayor's judicial review request moot and could cause irreparable prejudice. This delay provides time for the Superior Court to evaluate the mayor's challenge against the Commission's evidentiary rulings. ## Scope of alleged conduct The investigation covers multiple incidents beyond the May 22 recording. Allegations include disrespectful behavior during work meetings with senior staff on April 8 and 9. Targeted officials reportedly include the finance director, the deputy general manager, the human resources director, and the legal services director, though their specific identities remain officially undisclosed. ## Mayor's professional background Michael Stern was elected mayor of Westmount in November 2025, winning a three-way race. Before entering municipal politics, he worked as a professional accountant specializing in business and entrepreneurship. Westmount, located on the island of Montreal, is a municipality of approximately 20,000 residents, where these ethics proceedings are currently drawing significant local attention. ## Legal implications and transparency The case highlights the tension between professional confidentiality and public accountability in municipal governance. While the Commission protected segments containing legal advice, it prioritized public access to the remainder of the recording. The outcome of the Superior Court review will set a precedent for how administrative tribunals handle inadvertently recorded private discussions. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2026-11-06/westmount/poursuivi-en-deontologie-le-maire-tente-de-faire-exclure-un-enregistrement-audiovisuel-de-sa-cause.php?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=fil&utm_campaign=actualites — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._