St. Catharines city council just approved the mayor's motion, joining the region, Hamilton
St. Catharines is the latest jurisdiction, along with the Niagara Region, to go after harassment in politics, particularly abusive municipal leaders.
The region recently passed its motion, as did Hamilton, and the City of Toronto just voted.
Mayor Mat Siscoe's motion was passed at council, which would not only stop an accused from taking their seat, but prevent re-election. "I think the penalties that are imagined are even stronger than what's been considered in the past, and I appreciate the advocacy work that's already been done. This motion is one that was passed by OBCM, the Ontario Big City Mayor's caucus."
Welland city council recently choose to wait passage until all members had a chance to read the provincial legislation.
Siscoe pointed out it appeared before the last council, and is working its way through the province, as Bill 5. "There is legislation currently before the provincial legislature as a private member's bill... this is a motion that asks the government to change the legislation, the governance codes of conduct."
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