'A recent onslaught': London, Ont. social service agency calls out city councillor’s social media campaign
A social service agency that offers support primarily geared to sex workers has written a pointed letter to London City Council, but appears to be focused on one council member in particular.
Just before noon on Tuesday, Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson was seen in front of SafeSpace London at 679 Dundas St., being interviewed by media organization True North.
She stayed with them as they interviewed other people on the street.
It is one day after the SafeSpace board wrote the letter asking for more dialogue and less of what they call “a recent onslaught of traditional and social media attention.”
"At SafeSpace we're really focused on the work we're doing supporting sex workers, allies, women and gender-diverse folks in crisis,” said Rachel Berdan, chair of the SafeSpace board of directors.
The letter sites significant concerns about a duly elected public official denigrating their operations. While Stevenson isn't named, she has frequently taken to social media to call into question how funding for SafeSpace is being used and the work being done there.
"Truthfully we would love if there were actual questions about our operation; that they came to the organization,” Berdan told CTV News London.
She said the social media messaging has become a distraction from the organization’s core mandate.
Stevenson said she will continue to use various media forms to raise concerns.
SafeSpace Board Chair Rachel Berdan raises concerns about interviews being done near SafeSpace in London, Ont. on May 7, 2024. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
"I have a right as a duly elected councillor to speak with people, and they have right to know where their taxpayer dollars are going and have a say in that decision,” she said.
Stevenson has questioned whether the $65,000 a month the city provided for winter shelter beds was being used for promotional materials she feels are questionable.
"I didn't post anything that wasn’t currently on their website or that wasn't publicly posted,” she explained. “I'm not peeking through windows, or taking pictures or doing anything they're not publicly sharing and I think the public should know what it is that they’re funding.”
Stevenson has faced two inquiries by the city's Integrity Commissioner, and was reprimanded in connection with one of those inquiries. She was linked to social media posts with images of homeless individuals that included references to criminality.
She said she's not concerned about the possibilities of more complaints.
"I'm not going to be bullied into silence,” she said. “I represent the people of this ward that deserve to have a voice.”
Gesturing to people camped on the street she said, “They elected me to have a voice and you don't get to make unsubstantiated claims about 'harm' and all this kind of stuff when there is literal harm happening here."
At one point, Berdan approached Stevenson and the media members, and asked if they had been getting explicit consent from the people they were talking with and then asking them to find a different location.
They moved down the street and continued to speak with others on the street.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.