Sarnia's Integrity Commissioner has dismissed a complaint filed against City/County Councillor Bill Dennis after concerns were raised over his social media comments related to a new welcome mural at city hall.
Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas filed the official complaint, which included several screen captures from Dennis' personal Facebook page.
"The remark in question addresses Indigenous artwork and supporters … as being 'woke' and … out of touch with the vast majority of Sarnians. This characterization is deeply offensive and dismissive," Thomas said in her complaint.
She also referenced offensive comments from Dennis directed toward Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Janelle Nahmabin.
The matter spurred a special council meeting, in which those in attendance denounced Dennis' comments.
A report from Integrity Commissioner Benjamin Drory was included in the council agenda for the upcoming meeting, scheduled for July 20.
"I consider Councillor Dennis’ impugned comments in this matter 'political speech,'" said Drory. "I am not surprised that the complainant and many in the community take issue with them; but I ultimately characterize them as an argument by Councillor Dennis against the city’s implementation of the UNDRIP14 agreement, and his belief that the city overspent on the mural. It was a political argument meriting a political response – but they were not comments that infringed the Code of Conduct."
As part of Drory's investigation, he communicated with Chief Thomas as well as Dennis’ counsel, Phillip Millar. However, Thomas declined an interview, "expressing that there was no point moving forward as there were no mechanisms in place to deal with this matter," read the report.
While Drory dismissed the complaint, he noted that Dennis has contravened the Code of Conduct on five separate occasions since February 2023.
Dennis is currently running for mayor of the City of Sarnia in the October municipal election.
In an email sent to local media, Dennis hailed the report as "total vindication" and thanked those who supported him over the past several months.
"There were demands that I apologize, resign, and even be removed from office. My wife and I were subjected to hateful messages, intimidation, and threats of violence simply because I expressed my political views. Through it all, I refused to be bullied into silence," said Dennis. "I entered public service to ask difficult questions, challenge decisions I believe are wrong, and stand up for the people of Sarnia. That will never change."
Drory's report referenced the current Municipal Act and amendments being made.
Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, received royal assent on June 2, which looks to standardize the code of conduct across the province and allow for members of council to be removed from office for serious code of conduct violations. The next steps for the provincial government would be to implement and pass specific regulations for municipalities.
