The executive director at Sarnia-Lambton Children's Aid Society (CAS) is proceeding with legal action against "a person of power and authority in our community."
In a statement of support released Monday by the CAS Board of Directors, the board said the individual questioned the agency's recruitment practices in May, and alleges the agency and its leader were publicly and personally attacked as a result.
"The incorrect and defamatory comments impact our service delivery, our employees, and the children and families we support," the statement read.
According to documents filed with the Superior Court of Justice in Sarnia on August 7, Dawn Flegel is suing City/County Councillor Bill Dennis for $100,000.
The Sarnia Journal reported in May that CAS Director Dawn Flegel had made a formal complaint to the integrity commissioner and the Human Rights Commission after Dennis criticized a recruitment ad, posted to the agency’s Facebook page, on his social media page.
In a letter to the editor, sent to The Sarnia Journal, Flegel said "the councillor's assertion that actively seeking qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds constitutes discrimination is not only misguided, but also dangerously undermines our efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, youth, and families in our community."
The Board of Directors' statement went on to say that as caretakers and advocates for children and families in our community, the Sarnia-Lambton Children's Aid Society Board of Directors feel it is its responsibility to model positive and respectful behavior.
"We also feel it is extremely important to hold people in positions of power accountable for what they say and do -- as they can have lasting impacts. Formal complaints were submitted to various bodies of authority, and most complaints were met with little meaningful response and no personal accountability."
The board added that "addressing and standing up against racism, discrimination, and harassment in all forms is a step toward challenging and dismantling social injustices, contributing to a more equitable society and community."
"For these reasons, the Sarnia-Lambton Children's Aid Society Board of Directors supports proceeding with legal action," the statement said. "Our commitment to ethical standards includes treating everyone with dignity and respect. The harassing and misinformed treatment of our organization, and our agency's leader, violates these principles and undermines our organizational integrity. By taking a stand, we uphold the values that are central to our work."
The board and agency said it would not be commenting any further on the matter, given the active legal proceedings.