Ontario bill to allow removal of councillors who violate codes of conduct fails
A private member's bill in the Ontario legislature that aimed to give municipalities the power to kick people off city council if they violate the code of conduct has failed.
Bill 5, known as the "Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act", was up for second reading but lost on division in a vote Wednesday.
Orléans Liberal MPP Stephen Blais moved the bill. Had it passed, it would have permitted municipalities and local boards to direct the Integrity Commissioner to apply to the court to vacate a member’s seat if a council member has contravened the code of conduct by failing to comply with the workplace violence or harassment policies.
It was raised on the heels of scandals involving former Ottawa city councillor Rick Chiarelli, who was the subject of numerous complaints of inappropriate behaviour toward female staff members and women applying to work in his office. While Chiarelli continued to deny the allegations, the city's integrity commissioner repeatedly ruled against him, and council voted twice to suspend his pay in wake of the reports into his conduct.
Blais's first attempt at this bill passed second reading but died on the order paper when the 2022 provincial election was called.
Speaking during private members' business at the legislature Tuesday, Blais said his bill had widespread support.
"The need for change and stronger consequences, including the removal from office and a prohibition against seeking re-election has been endorsed by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario," he said. "Bill 5 is endorsed by over 150 municipalities across the province."
He stressed that the bill also had safeguards against misuse.
"It involves the municipal integrity commissioner and, ultimately, a judicial review, to ensure that this process is not used as a political weapon and the integrity of our democracy is protected."
Associate minister of women's social and economic opportunity, Charmaine Williams, said she was worried about the effects of the bill.
"I appreciate the essence of the bill; however, I'm concerned about the consequences that will occur if this bill was to go forward," she said. "This bill might drop the guard that is in place with our Municipal Act, so much so that women who are elected to council tables are at risk of losing their spot if they speak out against their council colleagues."
Williams also said she was concerned about granting too much power to municipal integrity commissioners.
"This bill wants to make integrity commissioners more powerful than an appointed judge," she said. "If you're accused of something illegal, you get a trial. But this bill wants to replace that and this bill wants to allow the integrity commissioner to remove an elected official without a trial."
Blais said Wednesday that he was disappointed in the result and criticized Williams for her comments.
"The @fordnation government is turning its back on women across #Ontario.150 municipalities and counting asked for this Legislation," he said in a tweet. "[Charmaine Williams] should be ashamed of the displays she put on last night."
When speaking to reporters at a housing announcement in Ottawa last week, Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said that the concept of the bill was "very important for the government" but declined to comment further on a private member's bill.
Blais told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron he is hopeful the Progressive Conservative government introduces its own legislation that aims to accomplish the same thing.
"I know that the minister of municipal affairs wants to see something like this happen. How do I know that? He's told me," Blais said. "We're going to continue to put the pressure on. I'm hoping that, over time, Minister Clark will do the right thing and bring his own bill forward. I will be the biggest champion for that bill when he brings it forward because it this wasn't a partisan issue, it's never been a partisan issue and it shouldn't be a partisan issue going forward."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Early results from London, U.K., suggest Labour's Sadiq Khan will secure a record third term as mayor
Sadiq Khan, the Labour Party's mayor of London, appeared Saturday to be romping to victory as results from the capital pour in.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.