By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
An appearance by Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff at a Right to Life fundraising banquet in Chatham in 2019 is raising questions.
According to a recent story published by CBC Windsor, members of Chatham-Kent council regularly attend the banquet for the pro-life organization.
The CBC said the information was obtained by way of a Freedom of Information Act request.
The story said that from 2016 through to 2018, Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy attended the event. His wife Joanne Bondy is the director of Life in Motion, an arm of the Chatham-based Right to Life agency.
A separate FOI request by the CBC shows Canniff was invited to the 2023 banquet in April, but couldn’t attend because he was out of town.
In an email message to The Voice, the mayor said that in his role he attends hundreds of events per year, as it’s a “great way to connect with community members and those I represent as mayor.
“It’s important for me to emphasize the fact, that in my position as mayor of Chatham-Kent, I support our community’s right to hold personal beliefs, even those that might not align with my own personal views,” Canniff stated.
He said council should be “cognizant of potentially divisive situations in our community and act accordingly to best represent the people of Chatham-Kent,” noting that currently there is no policy in place that dictates what events he or members of council can attend as representatives of the municipality.
“But of course, we’re able to attend any events we’d like on our own time,” Canniff added.
