The Women of Ontario Say No:

What started out as a local grassroots advocacy effort in support of Bill 5 The Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act has evolved into a full-blown province-wide effort to ensure municipally elected officials are held accountable for their violence and harassment in the workplace.

As the municipal election was approaching in October 2022, deputations were targeted to municipal councils throughout Simcoe County to adopt a motion in support of the Bill with letters of support from councils sent directly to the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, respective local MPPs, the Association of Ontario Municipalities, and the private member who put the bill on the table, MPP Stephen Blais.

The advocacy effort, initially known as “The Women of Simcoe Say No” was a direct response to a sitting councillor in Barrie who was going through civil litigation for sexual harassment and was able to run for mayor. In theory, had the Bill been passed in one of the previous sessions (Bill 260 and Bill 10), this person may not have been eligible to run. “The message this sent to the community and the larger region was toxic,” states Emily McIntosh, a long time resident of Simcoe County and lead advocate. “It communicates that those in positions of power are not held to the basic standards of treatment we have come to expect from each other. It isn’t a reality any Ontarian should be willing to accept today.”

The movement, now dubbed “The Women of Ontario Say No,” has attracted support throughout the province, from councillors as far north as Kenora, to former Premier Wynne, to provincial associations providing victim support, to people who have never engaged publicly in advocacy before.

Mother-of-two, web designer and brand manager Farah Grozelle, of Oh Darling Creative Media in Bradford West Gwillimbury, knew she needed to get involved. “This feels like something tangible I can do for my daughter,” said Farah. “We all have a role to play in ensuring human rights are protected. This legislation will benefit all people, but we know that women and minorities are more adversely affected. It’s hard to believe this level of advocacy is required for something so fundamental. But change is possible when voters demand it.”

The growing movement is not only about helping address harassment and abuse by municipally elected officials, but also supports the prevention of harassment in the first place. The effort firmly recognizes that without workplace safety, diversity of voice will never be at the decision-making table, and this diversity is necessary for a healthy democracy.

The advocacy effort builds on the courage of three remarkable women that defied the odds and came forward with experiences of harassment from then Ottawa councillor, Rick Chiarelli. “This is a non-partisan issue and it’s time we prioritize the public’s trust in the integrity of a publicly funded position of power over politics,” shares Nancy O’Brien, one of the women directly affected by the gap in legislation. Specifically, a gap that allowed Councillor Chiarelli to retain his position and seek reelection, despite three substantiated claims (involving four women) by two different Integrity Commissioners, that resulted in a cumulative 12 months’ suspicion of pay. Over 20 women have come forward in the case of Councillor Chiarelli (anonymously to the media, the integrity commissioners and publicly).

The Bill has three primary components:

1. Municipal elected officials would be accountable to the violence and harassment policies of the respective municipality (in line with the CAO);

2. For egregious acts of harassment substantiated by the Integrity Commissioner, councils could direct the IC to apply to the courts for removal;

3. If removed, the person would be restricted from running.

Of note is that the advocacy is about the accountability structure itself. Ideally, the current government would take the content of the private member’s Bill and pass it as a government Bill, prior to Bill 5’s second reading slated for May 16. “The problem is that the liability is live today. When this started it was about bringing the public’s attention to this unjustifiable double standard and to encourage voters to research candidates’ history. When the election came and went, we knew it had to get bigger. Now we have newly elected councils with a lack of accountability that puts the public and municipal staff at great risk. A risk we don’t accept for any other employee in this province,” states McIntosh.

Budget chair and a sitting councillor for the City of Toronto, Gary Crawford, agrees. “This is about doing the right thing to ensure a baseline of accountability for positions of great importance to community health. Workplace safety is foundational to the wellbeing and overall organizational efficiency as it relates to publicly funded positions. Elected officials should not be above the standards and laws that are in other professional work environments.”

A public event entitled “Flood the Floor” is planned for the Bill’s second reading on May 16, with an invitation to all members of the public to attend the legislature in Toronto to show the public support for this Bill.

“We know there are people who have been harassed by sitting elected officials at the municipal level and do not feel they can come forward knowing there is no appropriate consequence for egregious acts of harassment. This reality needs to change now. And we can change it, together,” said McIntosh.

– Submitted by The Women of Ontario Say No