Last-minute additions to agendas in Whitby are set to decrease after councillors voted in favor of changes to the procedure bylaw, requiring more notice for introducing motions. This marks the latest chapter in a long-running saga of tension both inside and outside the council chambers that has been ongoing for over a year and a half.
According to the new guidelines, if a motion is submitted late but sent to the clerk before 8 a. m. on the day of the meeting – and only if it’s urgent – a member can request an exception to introduce it.
If a late motion is submitted after 8 a. m., the rules cannot be waived, meaning the issue will have to wait until the next meeting for consideration.
“By prohibiting the ability to waive the rules of procedure for motions submitted after 8 a. m., council will eliminate attempts to surprise other members with late motions and circumvent staff’s review,” stated the motion.
Additionally, delegations related to late motions will no longer be permitted, and council members won’t be able to ask for exceptions so those can be heard. “Allowing delegations on late motions that do not appear on the agenda creates an information asymmetry,” notes the report. “It favors those who may have ‘insider’ knowledge of late motions while effectively excluding the broader public who rely on official notice periods through the agenda to exercise their democratic rights.”
The changes are part of an effort to restore some decorum within council amid rising taxpayer-funded legal fees related to allegations of racism involving councillors Steve Yamada and Chris Leahy. Both have faced sanctions for code of conduct violations, with costs now estimated at around $100,000. A complaint filed with the Ontario Human Rights Commission by Yamada against Mayor Elizabeth Roy, along with various town officials and fellow councillors Rhonda Mulcahy and Niki Lundquist, adds another layer to this ongoing dispute that has made Whitby Council one of the most contentious in Ontario.
The disagreement surrounding Yamada’s treatment during his brief term as Deputy Mayor in spring 2024 has repeatedly surfaced during council meetings characterized by claims of “silenced” councillors, intense questioning directed at report authors, procedural maneuvers, and even emotional outbursts.
Roy’s public comments about feeling “vindicated” following findings from town’s Integrity Commissioner clearing her of wrongdoing while sanctioning both Leahy and Yamada over their racism accusations have also played into this narrative.
The Integrity Commissioner eventually sanctioned Yamada and Leahy for code of conduct breaches, docking them each a week’s pay.
A complaint lodged with the Ontario Human Rights Commission could potentially add another $150,000 in legal expenses for the town.
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