Stratford, ON—‘Get Concerned Stratford’, the community group behind the fight against the secret Xinyi glass factory, has learned that the City of Stratford has unlawfully banned a number of residents from attending City Hall, going to any city building, like skating rinks or libraries, or even from speaking to City staff. Stratford Council’s action comes after the latest Closed Meeting Investigation found that Council voted illegally, in secret, almost one third (135 of 416 votes) of the time, and continues to do so.
Mike Sullivan, of Get Concerned Stratford, initiated the investigation of Council’s secret votes. On February 26, 2024, he spoke at a public meeting of Council, and urged Council to act on the independent investigator’s recommendations to make meetings more transparent for residents.
Also on February 26, Mr. Sullivan and another resident, Barb Shaughnessy, spoke on a highly unusual request to rezone a condominium apartment for use as an Inn. Ms Shaughnessy was also subsequently banned from City staff and property.
Another resident, Jane Marie Mitchell, was given a written warning by Stratford’s lawyer for simply speaking about the City’s budget.
The letters to the three individuals contained identical paragraphs accusing them of disrespectful, derogatory, inappropriate and vexatious behaviour, and referring to multiple anonymous complaints against them. Although clarification has been requested regarding the nature of these complaints, the city has so far not responded.
“We of Get Concerned Stratford are completely shocked by the latest attempt to silence us,” said Sharon Collingwood, one of the group’s leaders. “Mike has been relentlessly seeking the truth behind the corruption of the past, on our behalf. I was at that Council meeting, and none of the speakers targeted were in any way derogatory or inappropriate. They were critical, yes, but in Canada we have the right to be critical of our civic leaders. Residents were hopeful that democracy and transparency would be back with the election of a new council, but apparently the new council is continuing in the ways of the old.”
“The video of the meeting shows clearly that all three of us were respectful and stuck to the issues”, said Shaughnessy. “We were clearly critical of Council’s old ways, but never came close to crossing the line, and no one from the City objected at the time.” (Video is here. Sullivan’s comments are at 30, 42 and 2 hr and 10 minutes in.)
Thus far, the City and their lawyer have refused to give any specifics concerning the ban. Residents banned by the City have appealed the decision, but were told by their own lawyer that the appeal is useless without knowing the specifics of the complaints against them. Thus far there has been no response whatsoever from the City’s lawyer regarding the details of the complaints. Minutes of the meeting, which might have clarified the accusations, took two months to appear.
“Without knowing what I said that offended, I am afraid to speak in the future,” said Ms Mitchell. “I have made deputations in the past urging Council to save Avon Crest, Stratford’s historic first Hospital, for example, but without some idea of what they find derogatory, I will be unable to freely speak, which I thought was my right in Canada.”
The City has also taken the unusual step of ordering Stratford Police to attend every City meeting, presumably to keep the peace. Residents find this move another intimidation tactic, as all the banned residents are over 65 years old and do not have criminal records. “These actions are reminiscent of strong-man tactics against critics,’ said Sullivan. “If you can’t stand the heat, kick everyone out of the kitchen, and call in the police and charge them with trespassing.”
The three speakers have engaged renowned lawyer David Donnelly to take legal action against the City. Mr. Donnelly wrote to the city lawyer weeks ago on their behalf, but there has been no response. If the appeal process proves to be a sham or is unsuccessful, the citizens intend to ask a court to order the City to rescind its illegal actions.
Get Concerned Stratford
contact@getconcernedstratford.org