By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The province’s plan to introduce a tough, universal code of conduct for municipal council members who defy the rules is being welcomed by Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff.
Tabled in the Ontario legislature in December, Bill 241 would usher in Municipal Accountability Act 2024, creating a framework that would allow misbehaving elected officials at the municipal level to be removed and possibly disqualified from running in future elections.
The legislation comes in the wake of problems at nearby Sarnia city council, as well as in Pickering’s, where councils have been forced to meet online due to the egregious behaviour of some members.
In Sarnia, councillor Bill Dennis was recently chastised for his latest angry outburst in December where he called Mayor Mike Bradley a “loser” and “cokehead.” In the same tirade, he referred to another councillor, who is an ordained minister, as a “fruitcake.” Dennis let loose with other vulgar comments as well, telling the mayor to “**** off” and “kiss my ass.”
In Pickering, it appears that councillor Lisa Robinson is the problem child, espousing anti-Islamic rhetoric and calling other Pickering officials pedophiles who deserve to suffer violence.
On Jan. 9, OPP launched an investigation into Robinson’s behaviour to decide if Robinson’s alt-right actions have crossed over into illegality.
Both Dennis and Robinson have been docked three months’ salary – Robinson twice – for past bad behaviour. It’s the heaviest penalty currently available to municipal councils.
But according to Canniff, the financial penalty doesn’t appear to be working.
“Three month’s pay means nothing to them,” Canniff said. “It’s not enough to stop some people.
“Sarnia and Pickering are now forced to have their meetings online,” he added, noting the poor behaviour of elected officials makes a mockery of the democratic process and “undermines” local government.
“It’s very important that we hold elected officials to a certain level,” Canniff explained, adding everyone has the right to express their opinion as long as it’s done “professionally.”
Chatham councillors Brock McGregor and Marjorie Crew both said they agree with making the penalties of code of conduct breaches more severe.
McGregor said it’s about time.
“I think there has been a lot of discussion about this topic and some really serious examples of bad behaviour with no real accountability,” he said, pointing out a case in Ottawa where a councillor offered a staffer money to perform a sexual act, among other things.
In 2021, Orleans Liberal MPP Stephen Blais attempted to bring in a private member’s bill to stop abuse at the municipal level, but it was ignored by the Ford government.
Marjorie Crew said harsher penalties are needed because some people aren’t concerned about the money.
“Words matter and a lot of damage can be done to people and the democratic process,” Crew said. “I do believe we need to hold people accountable.”
However, one councillor who has been docked three months’ pay over social media posts she made, doesn’t agree stiffer penalties are needed.
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville said councillors should only be removed if they are convicted of a criminal charge or breach the human rights code.
They will get their comeuppance at election time, Jubenville said, adding the “best way to penalize someone is at the ballot box.”
But even if Bill 241 is approved, a number of steps must be taken before an elected official is removed or disqualified.
This would only occur upon the recommendation of the municipal integrity commissioner, a concurring report from Ontario’s integrity commissioner, and a unanimous vote of council with the exception of the person under review.
This is ridiculous! I really wish the Mayor and Councillors were concerned about Accountability in their job performance! When is it okay for the Mayor and Councillors of Chatham-Kent to not do their job and not represent the people and not respond to citizens. Several of the elected officials in this newspaper article do not do their job to represent the people. The citizens of Chatham-Kent do not want a Hub. We have a Civic Centre. Please repair it as you should have done 15 years ago. Citizens are not being represented in Chatham-Kent!