Raucous council meeting adjourned in Whitby amid claims of racism rescheduled for today

Whitby Council will try to finish an agenda disrupted and ultimately adjourned Monday after accusations of racism about the appointment of the next deputy mayor.

Monday’s meeting turned sour after a seemingly routine three-month appointment of Councillor Niki Lundquist as deputy mayor turned into a barrage of heated exchanges involving members of the public in the chambers and some of Lundquist’s fellow councillors.

Regional Councillor Steve Yamada served as deputy mayor, a title that previously rotated through the regional councillors every few months based on their vote counts in the previous election, before the summer break.

Council changed the process in the spring, with the post to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by a majority vote. Mayor Elizabeth Roy then notified council and the public of her intention to designate Councillor Niki Lundquist as the next to assume the post.

Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy

That’s when decorum in the chambers fell apart.

Multiple members of the public came forward to question the decision and the debate turned ugly quickly, with some residents accusing Roy of “shutting down” dissent.

Councillor Chris Leahy then accused Roy of a series of “microaggressions” against Yamada based on his ethnic origin.

“I am calling out members of council for treating councillor Yamada in a different manner than those of us who aren’t of an Asian background.”

Leahy was ruled out of order and the mayor demanded he retract his statement. Leahy refused and continued to argue resulting in an extended back and forth with Roy that resulted in Leahy being given an ultimatum: apologize or leave the chambers.

Leahy refused. “I’m an elected official I’m not leaving,” he said.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Whitby Councillor Chris Leahy

Following the meeting, Roy issued a statement condemning Leahy’s behaviour, though she didn’t name him specifically. “I have zero tolerance for unparliamentary language being used on the council floor. This kind of behaviour undermines the public’s trust with local government,” she said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Leahy accused Roy and other councillors of having a “secret meeting” during the recess, a claim both Roy and Whitby CAO Matt Gaskell categorically denied, with Roy calling out Leahy for “baseless and reckless allegations.”

Council will try to get through the rest of a busy agenda at the rescheduled meeting, which starts at 4 p.m. and will be available for public viewing.

On the list of ‘unfinished business’ is the appointment of Lundquist to the deputy mayor’s position for the term ending December 31.

With files from Liam McConnell