City/County Councillor Bill Dennis will be asked to submit written apologies in the aftermath of online comments, which prompted formal complaints from local First Nation chiefs.
A special council meeting was called on Tuesday to address comments made by Dennis last week, following the unveiling of a new welcome mural at Sarnia City Hall.
Mayor Mike Bradley became emotional several times as he reflected on the relationships built with First Nation communities over the past four decades. However, he doesn't believe Dennis' comments will have permanent repercussions on those bonds.
"I think actually, this has helped the relationship in the sense that those who care have ratified that they care and why they care," Bradley said.
As for Dennis' initial Facebook post regarding the mural's cost, Bradley called it hypocritical.
"[The mural] has become a positive symbol to the community and in this case, we've got an individual saying it's too much money, but at the same time doesn't mind hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars being spent to defend these lawsuits and the integrity commissioner investigations," Bradley said.
The mayor told local media the city has spent about $200,000 on defending the CAO and city council from Dennis' previous actions and estimates the total cost could reach $300,000 to $400,000 before the matters are resolved.
The mural itself was $8,452, which council approved in June 2024. The city's communications manager confirmed that with the addition of a digital display and relocation of framed mayoral photos, the total project cost was $12,500.
During the meeting, City/County Councillor Chrissy McRoberts questioned Dennis' Facebook comments, saying she was ashamed of how the city is being portrayed.
"When we make comments or put in print, 'put that in your pipe and smoke it,' you cannot deny that was an attack or a slur on our neighbours. I'm ashamed that we are broadcasting out to the world that Sarnia is a racist city," McRoberts said. "I'm not going to take a threat from a councillor, saying if you refer to me as racist or anything else, then I'm going to put these lies into the community about you."
Although Dennis was allowed to participate in Tuesday's meeting virtually, he emailed members of council, city staff, and local media on Monday stating he was away on vacation.
"I am currently vacationing in the Free State of Florida. I will not be participating in the dog in (sic) pony show tomorrow. However if anyone refers to me as a racist or even suggests that I said anything that was racist you will be served with a lawsuit," read Dennis' email. "Mike you have already crossed that line in the media. I have warned you numerous times about your mistruths. This time you are going to pay the consequences."
Councillors Adam Kilner and Anne Marie Gillis stressed the need for the Ford government to table legislation that would provide municipalities with tools to ensure standards of professional conduct.
Kilner introduced four motions during Tuesday's meeting, most of which passed unanimously.
Dennis will be asked to submit written apologies within 30 days to the mural's artist Kennady Rayn, Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin, and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Chief Kimberly Bressette. Kilner also asked for the letters to be available for public viewing.
His second motion asked for regular updates to be provided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Working Group.
"I think what will be critical moving forward is this council and the next council endorse the recommendations that continue to come forward from the UNDRIP working group and take seriously the concept of those relationships with our Indigenous partners," said City/County Councillor Brian White, who's also a member of the UNDRIP committee. "I think no matter what, in a situation like this, I will never feel like we've done enough because the damage that can be done in circumstances like we're experiencing right now is so significant, it's hard to know what the right thing to say or to do is."
Concerned about liability, Kilner's third motion asked city staff to consult with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the Human Rights Commission. The motion passed with opposition from Councillor Terry Burrell.
Kilner's final motion was for the decisions of Tuesday's meeting to be forwarded to First Nation partners in the region.
Bradley also introduced two successful motions to thank the mural's artist for her work and to renew the friendship agreement with Aamjiwnaang First Nation, signed in 2016.
Dennis commented on Facebook, "There is no way that I will be doing any of this."
A smudging and drumming ceremony was held outside of city hall after the meeting.
