Niagara Region council supports plan to remove members who ‘egregiously’ violate workplace harassment policies
Niagara regional councillors have unanimously supported a motion encouraging the province to change the Municipal Act so councillors who egregiously" violate workplace harassment and violence policies lose their seats.
The Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act would give an integrity commissioner the power to remove a sitting councillor and prohibit that person from running to fill the seat after seeking a judicial review of the decision.
Pelham Coun. Diana Huson's motion will also be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and local MPPs.
I'm going to share a few stories," Huson told council Thursday. They might be difficult to hear and involve harassment and abuse, and they involve some people who held public office and were in a position of trust."
One of Huson's recent examples was a Burlington councillor who had her SUV keyed by a colleague at city hall over three years. Security staff caught the colleague on camera using his key to scratch the paint off the front side of the councillor's SUV. CBC reported he agreed to pay about $1,250 to repair the damages.
In another instance, a city councillor gave a staff member revealing clothing and encouraged her to dress in a revealing way while giving her assignments to go to strip clubs to spy on another councillor.
Holding her job came with a wave of shame," Huson said. Shame for realizing what was happening at the moment and shame for knowing he kept up his behaviour after she was gone, creating more victims. Six women ended up coming forward with complaints. One said there was a constant threat that he could fire her, and no one would bat an eyelash."
The integrity commissioner investigates complaints against councillors for violating the code of conduct, with the most severe penalty being 90 days without pay. The commissioner can also recommend sanctions such as losing committee seats as well as requesting an apology.
There are more stories out there," Huson said. If these were the actions of municipal employees, these individuals would have lost their jobs. If these actions had occurred in any workplace in Ontario, they would have lost their jobs because every workplace in Ontario is mandated to have workplace violence and harassment policies with consequences for egregious violation, including termination."
Huson said more than 40 municipalities have supported the same request to support the legislation.
Bill Sawchuk is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: william.sawchuk@niagaradailies.com