A standoff yesterday afternoon between Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy and Regional Councillor Chris Leahy, forced the early adjournment of the council meeting.
Councillor Leahy was making a statement about the non-acknowledgement of Regional Councillor Steve Yamada during the latter’s five-month term as Whitby Deputy Mayor.
“Throughout his term as deputy mayor. virtually on no occasion did this mayor or this council refer to him as deputy mayor. They didn’t put him in the seat…,” said Councillor Leahy alleging micro aggressions, and “diminishing the stature of somebody who has earned his stature in society”
He alleged that Councillor Yamada was not given due recognition nor acknowledged as Deputy Mayor by the council because of his ethnic background. “I’m calling out members of council for treatimg Councillor Yamada in a different manner than those of us who aren’t of an Asian background,” Councillor Leahy said.
Mayor Roy took exception to the allegation saying it insinuated racism. “You are insinuating that members of council are racist toward Councillor Yamada,” she told Councillor Leahy.
She asked him to take back his words and apologize or she will expel him, to which Councillor Leahy refused. Mayor Roy asked him to leave the council chamber, which he refused to do.
The meeting was recessed for a few minutes after which Mayor Roy again asked Councillor Leahy to apologize for his remarks. He again refused to do so, upon which the mayor adjourned the meeting. The motion was carried by six votes to three, with councillors Leahy, Yamada and Niki Lundquist, voting against it.
In a statement issued after the meeting Mayor Roy said: “I welcome having respectful discussions, disagreements, and even differences of opinion, this is what helps make our town stronger. But making these very serious and unfounded accusations goes against our Council Code of Conduct. Which is why I was so shocked that a member of Council would insinuate that race has anything to do with making decisions around the council table regarding the appointment of Deputy Mayor.
“I’m disappointed by this councillor’s self-serving pattern of unacceptable behaviour continuing during this term of council. My expectation is all our council members take our Code of Conduct seriously, and we can get back to the council table and serving the residents of Whitby, which is what we were elected to do.”
Below is the link to the video of the council meeting. The section relevant to the above starts at about 52:30 minutes into the meeting.