Councillor van Holst avoids punishment for violating code of conduct on a tie vote by council
City council acknowledged that Michael van Holst violated four sections of their code of conduct — but did not reprimand him for his actions on Tuesday.
A motion by Coun. Shawn Lewis to formally reprimand van Holst, as recommended by Integrity Commissioner Gregory Stewart in his report, was defeated on a 7-7 tie vote.
The mayor, who filed one of the complaints, was absent from the council meeting while recovering from a medical procedure.
“I believe the public nature of this action, and the report from the integrity commissioner is enough, and I won’t support piling on,” said Coun. Maureen Cassidy.
Last autumn, van Holst promoted his new online creed as a human rights exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine policy during an interview with CTV News and while addressing a rally at Victoria Park.
“Rather than supporting council’s policy he was actively advising the public on ways to get around the policy,” reads the integrity report.
Following an investigation, the integrity commissioner has ruled that van Holst violated four sections of the council code of conduct:
- (2.4) Members are expected to perform their duties in office and arrange their private affairs in a manner that promotes public confidence and will bear close public scrutiny
- (2.5) Members shall seek to serve the public interest by upholding both the letter and the spirit of the laws of the Federal Parliament, the Ontario Legislature, and the by-laws and the policies of the Corporation
- (2.6) Members shall accurately and adequately communicate the decisions of the Council, even if they disagree with council’s decision such that the respect for the decision-making process of Council is fostered
- (8.1) Members shall adhere to such by-laws, policies and procedures adopted by Council that are applicable to them
“At what point do we as individuals have to forgo our personal opinions?” asked Coun. Stephen Turner.
Turner expressed a belief that there were harms done by van Holst’s actions when tensions were high during the pandemic, but admitted he was conflicted about how to proceed.
“I’m weary that we get into a reprimand that inhibits debate. However, I’m worried as well that not taking action, especially in a crisis situation, allows big holes in our ability to garner confidence in policies.”
Van Holst did not speak as council deliberated, but had sent a letter detailing why he disagreed with the findings of the integrity commissioner’s investigation.
“Interactions with the integrity commissioner were so few that there were significant gaps in mutual understanding,” his letter reads.
Van Holst adds that he doesn’t believe the integrity commissioner can speak authoritatively about his intentions, adding, “In a previous council meeting, I talked about how we have different world views. It seems this may also be the case with the integrity commissioner and me.”
Council had the option to formally reprimand van Holst — essentially a scolding by his colleagues — or to suspend his pay for up to 90 days.
Voting in favour of a reprimand were councillors Peloza, Helmer, Morgan, Salih, Lehman, Lewis and Turner.
Voting against a reprimand were Hopkins, Fyfe-Millar, Cassidy, Hamou, Van Meerbergen, Hillier and van Holst.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'You must leave now': Canada secures 800 plane seats to help citizens get out of Lebanon
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has said some 45,000 Canadians could be in the country, though only about half that number have registered with the embassy in Beirut.
Dispute over cost of eradicating cockroaches in B.C. condo building settled by tribunal
A B.C. condo owner who was blamed for a cockroach infestation in her building and charged thousands of dollars for the cost of eradicating the bugs must be refunded, the civil resolution tribunal ruled.
Health Canada recalls nearly 60 more unauthorized sexual enhancement products
Health Canada issued a recall last week for various sexual enhancement products for containing prescribed drugs like tadalafil and sildenafil.
TD Bank to pay more than US$28M in settlement for market manipulation
TD Bank Group has agreed to pay more than US$28 million after an investigation into manipulation of the U.S. Treasuries market by one of its traders.
Joly targets polarization in UN speech, urges liberals to reclaim the word 'freedom'
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is asking members of the United Nations to counter growing political polarization abroad while taking shots at Conservative rhetoric at home.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeals for release while he awaits sex trafficking trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs is appealing a federal judge's decision to keep him in jail while he awaits trial on sex trafficking charges.
W5 INVESTIGATES Crackdown on treacherous Darien Gap could force migrants to risk more dangerous routes
This week, Avery Haines follows migrants' harrowing journeys across the Darien Gap. Strict new rules to stem the flood of migrants through the notorious stretch of dense jungle appear to be working, but advocates fear it could backfire.
Man hikes 18 kilometres, 670 metres high to reach his parents in North Carolina
It had been 48 hours since the winds and rains from Hurricane Helene ripped through western North Carolina and Sam Perkins still had not heard from his parents.
Dikembe Mutombo, a Hall of Fame basketball player and tireless advocate, dies at 58
Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58.