Hamilton City Council votes to enact Ward 14 Coun. Terry Whitehead for conduct violation – Hamilton | The Canadian News

Hamilton city council members have voted to impose sanctions against one of their own.

In a 12-0 vote, they approved recommendations within an integrity commissioner’s report that identified a violation of the code of conduct by Ward 14 Coun. Terry Whitehead.

The report recommended that Whitehead miss 30 days of pay and restrict his communications with staff for the remainder of the council term, which ends next fall.

In addition to accepting those recommendations Wednesday, the council also voted to strip Whitehead of the responsibility of chairing committee meetings for the remainder of the term.

The integrity commissioner report described Whitehead’s questioning of a staff member as “hostile” and “aggressive” during a meeting in September 2020.

The findings added that interviews with senior management and colleagues revealed a “consistent pattern of behavior” for Whitehead, which occurs when he objects to information presented by staff.

“It’s a description of the culture and toxic practices that cause harm,” Ward 3 Coun said. Nrinder Nann from the report. “Some would say it has lasted too long.”

“No one, in any workplace, should be subjected to this type of behavior,” added Ward 8 Coun. John Paul Danko.

“I think it is important for us, as a council, to recognize how damaging the behavior presented in this report is to the reputation of our city,” Danko said, “to recruit and retain the best talent.”

“There is no justification or excuse that can be applied to the findings of the integrity commissioner report,” concluded Stoney Creek Coun. Brad Clark.

“I think we all have the claim that we don’t think there is any change in the councilman,” Ward 10 Coun said. Maria Pearson. “I can only pray that he gets a clear message from this.”

Coun. Whitehead issued a statement Wednesday night, defending his questioning of the staff member, saying he has a duty to ask “tough questions” on behalf of Hamilton residents.

He accuses the staff member of ignoring directives released by the council in July 2019.

Whitehead added that he is questioning the report, “exploring options and will consider taking this matter to judicial review.”