Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy has issued the following statement related to Bill 5, Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act, 2022.

“Last night, Whitby Council voted to endorse Bill 5, Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act, 2022.

Whitby joins approximately 30 municipal councils in Ontario that have voted to support this important bill.

Currently, there is no process to remove municipal politicians from office, even if serious acts of harassment and abuse are committed and substantiated.

The existing penalties – a three-month suspension of pay or the loss of a committee or board seat -- are not enough to maintain public trust in local government.

Bill 5 establishes a judicial process to remove councillors who commit acts of abuse or harassment, from office.

This holds them to the same standard as any other workplace in Ontario, where these actions would result in employment being terminated.

The fact that we are elected officials should not provide immunity from facing consequences related to workplace harassment and abuse.”

Quick Facts

• Bill 5 was introduced in August 2022 by Liberal MPP Stephen Blais as a private member’s bill
• The bill amends the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006
• The amendments require the code of conduct for municipal councillors and members of local boards to include a requirement for those councillors and members to comply with workplace violence and harassment policies
• The amendments also permit municipalities and local boards to direct the Integrity Commissioner to apply to the court to vacate a member’s seat if the Commissioner’s inquiry determines the member has contravened the code of conduct by failing to comply with the workplace violence or harassment policies.

Additional Resources

• For more information about Bill 5, click here.
• For Whitby Council agendas, minutes and meeting videos visit whitby.ca/CouncilCalendar

For media inquiries, please contact:

Office of the Mayor

Jillian Follert, Public Affairs Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 289.387.9101; Email: follertj@whitby.ca

Corporate Communications

Erin Mikaluk, Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913; Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca