Yellowknife city Coun. Cat McGurk tried using taxpayer money to pay for someone's laptop that she had borrowed and lost.

The consequences will likely involve censure, a formal expression of disapproval from her colleagues.

It hasn't happened yet, but city council met on Nov. 12 to discuss what to do in response to the integrity commissioner's findings about McGurk misplacing someone's laptop in 2023, then trying to use city funds to reimburse the people who owned it. 

"I do support censure," said Coun. Ben Hendriksen, noting that public trust is at an all-time low for all levels of Canadian government. He added that he wants to take this issue as seriously as he can.

"We need to hold one another accountable on behalf on the public," he said.

Coun. Rob Warburton agreed with Hendriksen.

"Actions have consequences," he said. "To accept it and do nothing sends the wrong message as well."

Coun. Steve Payne also agreed with censure.

"We do have to answer to the public, and the public has been very vocal to this issue," he said. ""This is to appease some of the public."

Payne and a number of other councillors also cited council's limited ability in what they can do in this situation. In this instance, the municipal government only has a couple of choices when it comes to penalties: a censure or removal from one council meeting.

Coun. Tom McLennan's preference is to simply move on, no censure needed. Coun. Garrett Cochrane said pretty much the same. Both of them cited that, because McGurk said she has accepted the conclusions of the integrity commissioner's report and has taken responsibility for her actions, there's no need for censure. However, Cochrane added he would follow the will of the majority of council.

Mayor Rebecca Alty said censure is an important tool and supported it as well. Council has until Jan. 26, 2025, to come up with a final decision.

Coun. Ryan Fequet had nothing to say on the matter. Coun. Stacie Adren-Smith was not present at the meeting. McGurk was excused from the discussion.

This wouldn't be the first time a council member has been censured. In 2022, then-city Coun. Niels Konge was censured for comparing a proof-of-vaccination policy to racial segregation.