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CBC
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
As former Olympian-turned-councillor faces domestic assault charge, women-led advocacy group is silenced
Social Sharing A firestorm of controversy has been brewing in Niagara Falls, Ont., in the weeks since a former Olympian-turned-councillor was charged with domestic assault. Mike Strange, 54, turned to politics, first elected on council in 2014, after representing Canada as a light-welterweight boxer in three Olympics. On May 3, police were called to a Niagara Falls home around 3 a.m. and found a woman with injuries. Strange was charged with domestic assault. In the wake of the criminal charge, Strange has continued to sit on council. He maintained his innocence during a July 8 council meeting, stating "the truth will come out," and his next court appearance is July 20. Meanwhile, unrelated to the Strange criminal case, a women-led advocacy group was holding delegations across Ontario about proposed Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, which If passed would give municipalities more tools to crack down on negligent and misbehaving politicians. When Women of Ontario Say No (WOSN) requested to delegate at Niagara Falls council in June, it had begun advocating for a new addition to Bill 9: that any councillor charged with assault be placed on automatic, paid leave until it was resolved in the courts, WOSN's lead advocate, Emily McIntosh, told CBC Hamilton. (The proposed rules could see them removed from office if a series of requirements are met.) 'An obvious and painful irony' City staff blocked WOSN from speaking about Bill 9. Then, on June 17, Niagara police officers arrested three women in the council chambers after they refused to put away signs that said the name of the advocacy group. "There is, of course, an obvious and painful irony in women being arrested for peacefully holding objectively inoffensive signs, while a sitting councillor was able to remain and participate in his public role in this official capacity despite being charged with serious violent offence involving assaulting a woman and released," lawyer Susan Toth, representing WOSN, wrote in a letter to the city last week. McIntosh said that during the public consultation period, which ends in August, the group is speaking to different councils to get their support for Bill 9 and for their ideas to strengthen it. For instance, automatically removing a councillor from office if found guilty would be comparable to rules applied to police officers facing criminal charges, she noted. CAO says city staff 'in a difficult position' McIntosh said WOSN realized they'd need to advocate for automatic leave when they learned of Strange's charge because it "showcases a gap in the legislation." "We believe in the criminal judicial system," McIntosh said. "We're just saying it's not an appropriate space to be interacting with the public in that official role at that time." Niagara Falls staff denied the WOSN's delegation because "the true subject" wasn't Bill 9, but rather "an ongoing legal proceeding," according to a report by the city's chief administrative officer (CAO), solicitor and clerk. The ongoing legal proceeding is presumably that of Strange. McIntosh said the city's decision is "completely lacking merit," and if Strange does have a conflict of interest, he could leave for their delegation. CAO Jason Burgess told CBC Hamilton in an email it's not that simple because a council debate about Bill 9 could impact the criminal proceeding, although he didn't elaborate on how. "Staff was put in a difficult position and decided not to allow the item on the agenda," he said. 3 WOSN supporters escorted off city property Then, the arrests in council chambers happened. Three supporters of WOSN sat on a bench reserved for the public at the start of the June 17 meeting, protesting the city's decision to not allow them to delegate. The women sat holding their signs printed on letter-sized paper, as seen in a video. When staff asked them to leave, they refused. Niagara police received a call for a "disturbance" at city hall and were told the women were violating city rules, said spokesperson Stephanie Sabourin. After a "prolonged discussion," the three women were arrested and escorted off city property. They were released "after the city declined to proceed with formal charges," Sabourin said. Rules prevent other signs like 'staff are stupid' Afterwards, Burgess told council it was important to uphold "decorum" in the council chamber so that anyone with "divergent views" doesn't feel intimidated. Allowing signs in support of women's rights could lead to people holding ones that say "staff are stupid" or "police are corrupt," or that are homophobic, the report said. But Toth, WOSN's lawyer, called the arrests "unlawful," and said in letters to the city and police that her clients are demanding apologies and a commitment neither party will interfere in WOSN members exercising their rights to free speech. They also requested to be allowed to delegate at the next meeting on July 8, but that was again denied by the city. McIntosh told CBC Hamilton they're now exploring other legal actions. Police said they were preparing a response to Toth's letter. Mayor Jim Diodati did not respond to a request for comment. Tensions rose again ahead of the July 8 meeting. Councillor says he felt 'targeted' The news website Pointer published a story about an email sent on behalf of Strange to all members of the Falls View Hose Brigade, a local fundraising group, to "fill the chambers so there is no space for the women's group to sit." Strange told CBC Hamilton he didn't send the email directly and it was "taken out of context." "I felt targeted by the protesters [during the June] meeting, and asked my friends and supporters to be there," he said in an email. "I am confident that the truth will prevail in my proceedings and I am committed to my responsibilities in my elected office." Some brigade members did show up, said McIntosh, who was also in attendance. They clapped when Strange made a speech stating, "To remove an elected official based on an unproven and unfounded allegation would set a dangerous precedent and undermines the very democratic principles we rely on." Burgess told CBC Hamilton there is no issue from a rules standpoint of the brigade attending the meeting at the request of a councillor. "The concept of filling council chambers is a standard practice," he said, adding that WOSN called for its supporters to do the same. The brigade did not respond to a request for comment. Call to 'stop this nonsense' Strange also put forward a motion directing staff to prepare a report on Bill 9 so there's an opportunity for WOSN to delegate in the future. McIntosh yelled out she was ready now but she wasn't allowed to delegate at that time. Burgess said that as of Thursday, there's no timeline for when the Bill 9 report will return to council. The provincial deadline for public feedback is Aug. 18. A Niagara Region councillor, Haley Bateman, in St. Catharines, was among those arrested for holding a WOSN sign. She posted on Instagram on Tuesday that she is "beyond disappointed" in how it has all played out. Bill 9 "is not about [Strange], this is legislation that's long overdue," she wrote. "Stop this nonsense." Over 200 municipalities — as well as several other organizations, including Ontario Big City Mayors — have signalled their support for Bill 9 and for more oversight of elected officials, said McIntosh. When it comes to Niagara Falls, McIntosh said she's shocked and alarmed at how it has all played out. "I find it so fascinating the extent and lengths this municipality has gone to to silence women," she said. "I think anyone who is interested should watch the council meeting and make up their own minds." For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there is support available through
Global News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Advocates push Ontario council to apologize after women arrested holding signs
An Ontario municipality is facing the threat of a legal challenge and calls to apologize after advocates were removed from its council chambers and arrested for holding signs. On June 17, three members of the group Women of Ontario Say No attended a Niagara Falls council meeting, hoping to talk about a proposed provincial law and the conduct of municipal councillors. Specifically, they wanted to discuss gaining local support for legal changes that would put sitting councillors facing criminal charges on a paid leave. The city, however, said it would not hear their delegation, suggesting it related to an ongoing legal matter. The advocates then sat in the council chamber, with signs printed on card stock which said, 'Women of Ontario Say No.' Niagara Falls officials say they asked the women to put their signs down and called the police. Officers arrested the trio and eventually released them without charge. Story continues below advertisement Now, the group — which has long called for stricter local accountability at councils — is threatening to take legal action against Niagara Falls if they are not allowed to present to councillors. They're also calling for an apology. Denied delegation Emily McIntosh, the founder of Women of Ontario Say No, said her group wanted to appear at a Niagara Falls council meeting to seek support for their changes to the rules that govern councillors. The group, which has made presentations to various city councils over the year, said it wanted to talk about the possibility of changes to provincial legislation to put any councillor charged with a criminal offence on a paid leave of absence until a court decides on the charges. The Women of Ontario Say No were told they could not present at the meeting, although they were allowed to submit written statements if they chose. Story continues below advertisement 'The municipality cited ongoing court proceedings; it is my understanding that currently there is a councillor who has been charged with domestic assault,' McIntosh said. 'But that is not a reason to exclude productive dialogue and democratic engagement when it comes to legislative change that would benefit all Ontarians.' Niagara Falls Coun. Mike Strange was charged with domestic assault on May 3, according to media reports. In response to questions about Strange from Global News, Niagara Regional Police said they had charged a 54-year-old man with domestic assault on May 3, but did not name him. Strange did not respond to written questions ahead of publication. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Despite the delegation request being denied by the Niagara Falls council, three members of Women of Ontario Say No attended a June 17 meeting with small placards showing the name of the group. They sat with them in the chamber — something a report written by city staff alleges created 'an unsafe, unwelcoming, undemocratic and uncivil situation.' St. Catharines Coun. Haley Bateman was one of the three women attending the meeting and holding the signs. She said the advocates were quiet and did not wave their signs. 'It was peaceful, there should be no reason why a sign — an 8.5 by 11 piece of card stock with 'The Women of Ontario Ontario Say No' — should have been intimidating or threatening to them at all,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 'We sat there peacefully, we didn't approach, we didn't get out of our seats, we didn't shake our signs.' Officers with Niagara Regional Police were called. The City of Niagara Falls would not confirm to Global News who called the police, but CAO Jason Burgess said it was 'staff's decision.' Police said they received the call around 4:15 p.m. on June 17 and told the advocates they would be in violation of trespassing laws if they did not leave. 'Following a prolonged discussion, three adult females continued to display their signs and were briefly detained by police,' a spokesperson for Niagara Regional Police told Global News. 'They were escorted from council chambers and off City property. The individuals were released unconditionally after the City declined to proceed with formal charges.' Burgess said the city was 'attempting to get compliance' and therefore was not looking to press charges. Legal letter After the arrests and deputation denial, the Women of Ontario Say No retained a lawyer, who wrote to both Niagara Regional Police and Niagara Falls City Council. Story continues below advertisement In her letter to councillors, lawyer Susan Toth said the women at the June 17 meeting had been 'exercising their lawful right,' holding signs that 'were neither offensive nor derogatory.' The letter called for council to allow the presentation to go ahead and to issue an apology and admission of wrongdoing. In a report to council, city staff said they would allow the Women of Ontario Say No to submit written information to the council meeting and to protest outside the council building — but not in the room where meetings take place. 'The group has opposed Staff's enforcement of the decorum policy, and more specifically, of the conditions that signs with messages not be held up inside chambers, and that legal matters outside council's jurisdiction not be spoken to as part of the deputation,' part of the staff report said. Toth said she didn't accept the city's position. 'Frankly, they're just not on solid legal ground,' she said. 'You don't get to pick and choose when the rule of law is convenient to you. You don't get to pick and choose when you like charter rights to what it looks like.' Provincial policy The Women of Ontario Say No wanted to present to councillors about provincial legislation which, if passed, will make it easier to remove municipal councillors found guilty of serious violations. Story continues below advertisement Removal would have to be recommended by integrity commissioners and would ultimately be approved by a unanimous vote of councillors. Allowing colleagues to make the final decision on the punishment for councillors who face removal is a gap, the group argues, pointing to Strange's continued presence at Niagara Falls council as an example. 'If this was the judicial system and we were looking at a case there, no council person would qualify to be a juror because the bias is so strong,' McIntosh said. 'So when we're looking at this legislative development, it's not just about getting it done, it's about making sure that it's done right and we're modelling it off of best practices. And (Niagara Falls) is a great example as to why it would not be appropriate for a decision like that to come back to council.' Neither the current Municipal Act nor the proposed new policy automatically deals with what councillors facing criminal charges should do. Strange has been charged. The allegations against him have not been proven. A spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said the government had carefully considered its legislation. 'Removal from office is a serious measure, reserved for the most extreme code of conduct violations, and safeguarded by a high threshold and thorough review to ensure it is never taken lightly,' they wrote in a statement. Story continues below advertisement Upcoming meeting Niagara Falls City Council will meet again on Tuesday, July 8, and members of the Women of Ontario Say No intend to attend. The city told Global News it would be telling anyone going to the meeting to 'acknowledge the rules and confirm that they are not going to undertake behavior that will be against the written rules.' Burgess said, if police are called again, 'the City may take a different stand on whether to formally press charges.' Bateman said the move was 'laughable' and said advocates would likely be there again. 'Oh how ridiculous of them, that's the most absurd thing I've ever heard,' she said of requiring an acknowledgement before entering the chamber. 'I can't even imagine what the thought process is on this.'
