Supporters of Councillor Stevenson disrupt council meeting that imposed 30-day suspension of pay for bullying staff

Coun. Susan Stevenson has been docked 30-days’ pay after an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner determined she bullied and harassed a senior city staffer.

On Tuesday, council accepted the findings of the Integrity Commissioner’s report that a social media post by Stevenson and her persistent questioning of Kevin Dickins, deputy city manager of Social and Health Development, constituted harassment in the workplace.

“What I got from the report, and what I have personally witnessed, I think I do see a pattern of bullying and harassment,” said Coun. Hadleigh McAlister.

However, determining the appropriate punishment sparked a lengthy debate in front of a public gallery full of Stevenson’s supporters and detractors.

Stevenson argued the investigation into the Code of Conduct complaint was unfair, and that council should consider options other than suspending her pay, “I'm encouraging my colleagues to come up with something that the Integrity Commissioner wasn't able to put forward that would actually help us as a council and senior management team move forward in a productive way.”

Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis felt the punishment would be too severe, “I certainly cannot support 30 days.”

However, his amendment that would have reduced the suspension of pay to 5-days was defeated.

As council’s discussion returned to the merits of a 30-day suspension of pay, a man in the public gallery began shouting in support of Stevenson’s positions about homelessness and the clustering of shelters in the Old East Village.

Councillor Susan Stevenson on Dec. 17, 2024. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)

“Can you remove him from the gallery, please?” Mayor Josh Morgan directed security guards after several warnings were ignored.

Morgan recessed the meeting to restore order, but several women began shouting positive messages towards Stevenson as she sat quietly at her desk.

The man who instigated the disruption left the building, but everyone was permitted to return to the public gallery and respectfully watch the rest of the debate.

“I don't think that this is a very productive way for us to move forward,” said Coun. Jerry Pribil of the 30-day suspension of pay. “I think there are other measures that could be introduced.”

Coun. David Ferreira countered, “I have been bullied myself. I've been harassed. My entire life I've seen it happen to others and I've always taken a stance to not allow it.”

The meeting also included several councillors rising to personally apologize to civic administration for remaining silent during committee meetings when the bullying and harassment took place.

“I think it's the responsibility of council to protect our staff, and I apologize because I feel like I have not done my best job sometimes,” admitted Coun. Skylar Franke. “I've also personally experienced anxiety coming to council meetings [about homelessness].”

McAlister added, “I want to take this opportunity to also say I'm sorry that our staff feel this way. This is an awful situation. Nobody wants to be in it.”

Eventually, council voted 8-6 (Stevenson abstained) to implement the 30-day suspension of pay recommended by the Integrity Commissioner.

Stevenson confirms she’ll file another complaint with the Ontario Ombudsman about the investigative process.

“I will be filing before the end of this year on this one,” she told colleagues. “There are serious concerns with the Integrity Commissioner report.”

This is the second time Stevenson has been found to have violated the Council Code of Conduct by the Integrity Commissioner.

In 2023, she received a formal reprimand from council for posting photos on social media of recognizable homeless individuals in a way that disregarded impact the post could have on the individuals involved.

Punishments can range from a formal reprimand up to a 90-day suspension of pay.