![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976186.1721847997!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
OCDSB trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth seeking judicial review of board sanctions against her
![Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth, an Ottawa family doctor who hosted several pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics, speaks during SafetyPalooza, a rally calling on Ontario to adopt a provincial COVID-19 vaccine mandate, in Ottawa, on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/12/18/dr--nili-kaplan-myrth-1-6692182-1702920110767.jpg)
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustee Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth is asking a court to review sanctions laid against her by the board following two code of conduct complaints.
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
In an application for judicial review filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Dr. Kaplan-Myrth is seeking to quash a decision by the OCDSB in December to bar her from the next board meeting on Jan. 30 and from sitting on several committees for a period of three months, starting Jan. 1.
The decision to apply sanctions was based on comments she made on social media and at a heated meeting in September, during which she was facing a different code of conduct complaint that was not upheld.
Kaplan-Myrth unsuccessfully appealed the board's decision this month, arguing an integrity commissioner's report, which formed the basis for the sanctions, was based on "faulty or incomplete findings of fact" and "fundamental errors."
"The decision that the Appellant Dr. Kaplan-Myrth breached the Code of Conduct is unreasonable on the facts and the law and the sanctions imposed are excessive and disproportionate," said the application filed by her lawyer Mark Freiman.
The sanctions applied by the board were based on a 185-page report by Integrity Commissioner Suzanne Craig, which stated Kaplan-Myrth's conduct and statements, in particular on social media, had a ‘negative impact’ on fellow trustees as well as discredited the integrity of the board. Craig recommended the school board bar Kaplan-Myrth from attending the next board meeting and from attending committees, including Committee of the Whole.
The court filing claims the integrity commissioners report was flawed as it 'does not reveal an internally coherent and rational chain of analysis.'
In addition, Kaplan-Myth's lawyer says the report is "incomplete" and "at times self-contradictory."
"The offences alleged involve no moral or ethic wrongdoing. They are also a 'first offence.' Under any sentencing principle they should not involve a sanction that includes depriving the Appellant’s constituents of their elected voice of the Board," Freiman writes.
Kaplan-Myrth, a family doctor who was elected to the OCDSB in 2022, has been an advocate for public health measures, including masking, and has been a target of racist and sexist remarks for her Jewish identity online and in-person.
She faced two code of conduct investigations last year with the first occurring in September after she asked Trustee Donna Dickson, a Black woman, not to 'side with white supremacists' on a vote to institute a temporary mask mandate for the school district.
Kaplan-Myrth has also filed a human rights complaint against the OCDSB and is requesting a leave of absence.
OCDSB spokesperson Darcy Knoll said in an email to CTV News that the board has received Kaplan-Myrth's complaint and will not be commenting further. A date for the judicial review has not yet been made.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.