ELORA – Centre Wellington councillor Steven VanLeeuwen gets to keep the title of deputy mayor a little longer.
Council voted on Feb. 16 to defer a motion to remove VanLeeuwen as deputy mayor pending an investigation by the integrity commissioner.
“I need to have reasons that are substantial,” said councillor Stephen Kitras as he introduced an amendment to Mayor Kelly Linton’s motion to remove VanLeeuwen from the position.
Councillor Bob Foster introduced a similar motion earlier in the meeting.
“Canada is a democracy… Steve should get a hearing,” Foster said.
The integrity commissioner will be asked to determine whether VanLeeuwen violated the council code of conduct or any other legislation when he joined the “End the Lockdowns Caucus” two weeks ago.
The caucus is a group of politicians opposed to the public health response to the pandemic and especially to the province-wide lockdown that took effect Dec. 26.
The caucus sees the lockdown and stay-at-home order as a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is urging the government to lift restrictions and allow businesses to reopen.
Linton told council that especially as the lockdown has ended and vaccinations are back on track, it’s disappointing that VanLeeuwen would speak against the very public health measures that helped get things to this point.
“The only reason it’s not worse is government intervention,” Linton said.
While sympathetic to the plight of businesses during the pandemic, “saving lives trumps economic concerns,” the mayor said.
In an interview with the Advertiser on Feb 11, Linton said, “it’s important to our community that we have strong leadership and that the mayor and deputy mayor are on the same page.
“There is way too big a difference to be able to reconcile this.”
At the council meeting, Linton said it wasn’t just a matter of holding different opinions.
“We can’t have the deputy mayor posting information that’s incorrect and taking photos that defy the law,” he said.
In Centre Wellington, the position of deputy mayor is not filled via an election. One of six councillors is appointed to the role by council members and serves as head of council, and as the township’s county councillor, in the mayor’s absence.
There is no additional pay for holding the position.
Several members of the caucus have been criticized by public health officials and fellow politicians for spreading misinformation about the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines.
Matt Woods, a local resident, presented a petition at the meeting with 1,000 signatures in support of VanLeeuwen, who Woods said “has a right to his opinions and should not be removed.”
Linton, who initially refused an interview request on the matter, said last week that he learned of VanLeeuwen’s move through a Facebook post “and it was a total surprise.”
He said he checked with the Integrity Commissioner to understand his own legal rights and responsibilities and to find out if VanLeeuwen had contravened the Municipal Act.
“I found out councillor VanLeeuwen had not contravened the Municipal Act, and as head of council, legally, I had no role to play,” Linton said.
Councillors can launch independent complaints if they believe VanLeeuwen broke council’s code of conduct, he noted.
Each Centre Wellington councillor was previously invited to speak to the Advertiser.
Stephen Kitras said he supports VanLeeuwen’s move, while Kirk McElwain and Bob Foster said they do not. Councillors Neil Dunsmore and Ian MacRae did not respond, but at the meeting said they are opposed to VanLeeuwen’s decision.
