The Town of Whitby Council took a decision yesterday to suspend Councillor Chris Leahy’s pay for one month. This follows findings from the integrity commissioner involving complaints from two female town employees.
Durham Post will publish Councillor Leahy’s response tomorrow, April 22.
The town’s Chief Administrative Officer also confirmed at the meeting that a third complaint has been made against Councillor Leahy by a female town employee, involving an incident that occurred in June last year, said Mayor Elizabeth Roy.
These three complaints are in addition to violations of the Council Code of Conduct in 2024, and earlier in 2021. The incident in 2021 involved Councillor Leahy referring to a female councillor in a derogatory way, she alleged.
“This is a pattern of behaviour – and it’s unacceptable. What is equally unacceptable, is his response,” said Mayor Roy.
Complaints downplayed and minimized
Instead of taking responsibility or offering a genuine apology to the staff members impacted, Councillor Leahy went on a Toronto radio station last week where he downplayed and minimized the complaints, she said.
“I’m also concerned about deliberate efforts to mislead the public. Councillor Leahy has tried to reframe this situation as being about child safety and school crossing guards,” she pointed out adding that all members of Whitby Council take safety seriously.
When concerns about the intersection of Dryden and Brookwood were raised in late 2025, council acted quickly to approve a crossing guard and a capital project for improvements to the intersection, she said.
“What we are seeing now is a calculated attempt to deflect, confuse residents, and hide behind misinformation rather than face the consequences of his actions,” she said.
Public office is a privilege
In 2025, every member of Whitby Council unanimously endorsed the Elect Respect pledge — a commitment to conduct ourselves with integrity and to foster a culture of respect.
Public office is a privilege. It comes with a duty to treat people with respect and be accountable when those standards are violated.
“Council is sending a clear message that those standards matter in Whitby, and we will uphold them,” Mayor Roy said.
The Vote
Earlier yesterday, the town’s integrity commissioner presented the findings of their report titled, Recommendations Regarding Complaints Against Councillor Leahy. The report concludes that Councillor Leahy breached the Council Code of Conduct through his public actions and interactions with town staff. Council voted 7 to 1 on the recommendations of the report and as a result Councillor Leahy will receive a one-month suspension of pay.
“Respectful conduct toward town staff is not optional—it is fundamental to the integrity of our organization. Everyone deserves a safe and professional workplace, and the integrity commissioner’s report makes clear that actions which undermine staff trust and well‑being cannot be tolerated. Our employees serve this community with integrity, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect,” said CAO Matt Gaskell.
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