A Rebel News journalist has been accused of harassing a Whitby councillor after a committee meeting this week. The reporter, David Menzies, shared a video of the encounter, claiming he was just “scrumming a public official.”
On Monday, police were called to Whitby’s Town Hall due to a clash between Councillor Victoria Bozinovski and Menzies, who attempted to follow the councillor after the meeting. Security intervened and asked him to leave the building.
“I’m just making sure you don’t bother the lady,” security told Menzies. “You’re chasing her; she said she didn’t want to talk to you (and) I want you to leave the building.”
Menzies, who has faced multiple arrests for alleged harassment of public officials, asserted in an email to INsauga that “there was no harassment whatsoever” and that he was simply trying to speak with a public figure.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy, however, accused him of harassing Bozinovski and town staff “in a way that made them feel extremely uncomfortable.”
“This individual has a well-documented history of confrontational interactions with public officials, including behaviour that many – particularly female politicians – have found to be intimidating,” Roy stated. “I will not tolerate any member of Whitby Council being made to feel unsafe at town hall.”
Roy emphasized that this issue isn’t about restricting media access. She noted that the town welcomes all types of media and appreciates their role in covering both successes and challenges within the community.
“However, there is a clear line between legitimate journalism and conduct intended to provoke, intimidate, or harass – and in this case, that line was crossed,” she added.
Council observer Jessica Street spoke during the meeting and suggested Menzies should encourage Bozinovski to be more open-minded.
Menzies had been questioning Bozinovski regarding Councillor Chris Leahy’s motion on reviewing how temporary foreign workers impact the local economy. This motion didn’t reach discussion due to time constraints.
An earlier attempt by Leahy aimed at preventing companies using temporary foreign workers from receiving municipal contracts was deemed out of order by council members. It was criticized as an effort designed to “generate outrage, headlines, and social media engagement” by an observer and ruled as violating Ontario Human Rights code.
On that same day, another motion from Leahy asking for Prince Andrew’s removal from succession rights also got ruled out of order.
A proposal by Bozinovski aiming to tighten language around admissibility criteria for motions based on relevance for the Whitby community did advance and passed with a 7-2 vote.
A notice from Mayor Elizabeth Roy regarding “politically motivated misuse of office” among town councillors remained on the agenda when time ran out at 11 p. m., so it will be addressed at their next meeting.
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Roy emphasized that this issue isn’t about restricting media access. She noted that the town welcomes all types of media and appreciates their role in covering both successes and challenges within the community.
“However, there is a clear line between legitimate journalism and conduct intended to provoke, intimidate, or harass – and in this case, that line was crossed,” she added.
Council observer Jessica Street spoke during the meeting and suggested Menzies should encourage Bozinovski to be more open-minded.
Menzies had been questioning Bozinovski regarding Councillor Chris Leahy’s motion on reviewing how temporary foreign workers impact the local economy. This motion didn’t reach discussion due to time constraints.
An earlier attempt by Leahy aimed at preventing companies using temporary foreign workers from receiving municipal contracts was deemed out of order by council members. It was criticized as an effort designed to “generate outrage, headlines, and social media engagement” by an observer and ruled as violating Ontario Human Rights code.
On that same day, another motion from Leahy asking for Prince Andrew’s removal from succession rights also got ruled out of order.
A proposal by Bozinovski aiming to tighten language around admissibility criteria for motions based on relevance for the Whitby community did advance and passed with a 7-2 vote.
A notice from Mayor Elizabeth Roy regarding “politically motivated misuse of office” among town councillors remained on the agenda when time ran out at 11 p. m., so it will be addressed at their next meeting.
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 35,462 Votes
All Time: 1,269,162 Votes
837 VOTES
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