Whitby’s mayor announced she will review the security protocols at council chambers following an incident that occurred after a meeting on Monday night.
Mayor Elizabeth Roy reported that a man made an inappropriate approach towards a female councilor at Whitby Town Hall after the council meeting ended at 11 p. m. She explained that the man confronted the councillor in a manner that was aggressive and limited her ability to move freely.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that public service is safe for everyone, and that includes calling out and condemning behaviour that seeks to silence or discourage women from participating in civic life,” the mayor stated in a release on Tuesday.
Following the event, Roy told some female councillors reached out to her, “asking for how they can be better supported.”
She mentioned that the council’s security team is conducting a thorough review of what happened.
“Our council chambers need to be a safe place,” Roy remarked.
“We always need to assess the security measures we have in place, so everyone can feel secure.”
Coun. Victoria Bozinkovski described Monday’s incident as ‘threatening [and] harassment’ in a text message to . Menzies denied harassing her in a video posted on Rebel News’ You Tube channel on Tuesday. (Town of Whitby)
Roy identified the individual as David Menzies, who works for right-wing media outlet Rebel News. Victoria Bozinkovski, representing East Ward (4), confirmed she was the councillor involved in this situation.
Bozinkovski opted not to give an interview due to the ongoing police investigation but shared a brief statement via text message.
“The interaction was not journalism. It was threatening, harassment and physical,” Bozinkovski expressed.
Menzies refuted claims of harassment towards Bozinkovski in a video shared on his outlet’s social media on Tuesday.
contacted Menzies and Rebel News for their input regarding this matter on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Durham police, Kristie Jones, confirmed officers responded to reports of disturbance at Whitby Town Hall around 11:30 p. m. on Monday.
“Officers spoke with a male and escorted him from the building,” she detailed in an email. “He was not arrested and no charges have been laid at this time.”
Last year, Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe decided all city council meetings would transition online due to ongoing threats posed by supporters of Coun. Lisa Robinson.
However, Whitby’s mayor confirmed there are no plans currently for moving council meetings online.
She characterized Monday’s event as “targeted” without any ties back to incidents occurring in Pickering.![Mayor Elizabeth Roy said she is not planning to move Whitby council meetings online.]()
Acknowledging concerns surrounding safety,<strong regional Coun. Rhonda Mulcahy emphasized it’s crucial women feel secure at work given Whitby's majority-female council composition which is atypical elsewhere.
.(Town of Whitby)Councillor Maleeha Shahid noted women should never experience intimidation during their roles as elected representatives whether through direct actions or pressure from external parties over issues discussed publicly within these settings too!. [Please note – The link “Sahid” instead says “Shahid” throughout various sections mentioning its context correctly referring both girls now being acknowledged again.] Both Sahid & Mulcahy worry incidents like those happening recently could discourage future female candidates aspiring towards municipal office positions...
Some councillors escorted out by security: mayor
The mayor stated that following the incident, several councillors were escorted out of town hall by security. Councillor Maleeha Shahid didn’t witness what happened but said she was with her colleague afterward and saw “how upset” she was following their interaction. Shahid noted that security informed her Rebel News remained parked outside town hall after the incident until past 11:30 p. m. <p“She mentioned feeling concerned about being followed when leaving; therefore, she requested assistance from security while heading to her vehicle,” Shahid added. The mayor indicated multiple media outlets attended Monday’s meeting and assured they were aware of everyone present; however, intervention only took place post-incident.No plans to move Whitby meetings online: mayor
The issue of safety has arisen recently among city councils within Durham Region.Last year, Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe decided all city council meetings would transition online due to ongoing threats posed by supporters of Coun. Lisa Robinson.
However, Whitby’s mayor confirmed there are no plans currently for moving council meetings online.
She characterized Monday’s event as “targeted” without any ties back to incidents occurring in Pickering.
.(Town of Whitby)Councillor Maleeha Shahid noted women should never experience intimidation during their roles as elected representatives whether through direct actions or pressure from external parties over issues discussed publicly within these settings too!. [Please note – The link “Sahid” instead says “Shahid” throughout various sections mentioning its context correctly referring both girls now being acknowledged again.] Both Sahid & Mulcahy worry incidents like those happening recently could discourage future female candidates aspiring towards municipal office positions...
