Councillor faces integrity commissioner

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A 12-page report by the Township’s integrity commissioner, presented to council on Monday, found that conduct by Ward 5 councillor Todd Snooks constitutes harassment. The report said Snooks' behaviour "shows a lack of respect for the Township staff, and that this pattern of behaviour is in contravention of the Code of Conduct."

The report, which was prepared by Principles Integrity, the company that acts as the integrity commissioner to the Township of Uxbridge, went on to recommend that Chief Administrative Officer Kristi Honey arrange an education and training session on recognizing harassment in the workplace and that all members of council be requested to attend, although Snooks' attendance would be mandatory. It added that a monetary penalty (fine) would serve no purpose in this instance.

When the report came up for discussion during the meeting, council voted to table it to give Snooks time to "absorb all the information" in the report and “to seek council on it.” Snooks did receive a copy of the report one week prior.

The report stated that there had been allegations Snooks engaged in acts of unsolicited physical contact with Township staff in the workplace on at least three occasions. It further said that its findings and recommendations came "only after providing an opportunity to (Snooks) to respond to the allegations.”

In spring last year, an informal complaint about unwanted hugging reportedly led Mayor Dave Barton to warn Snooks that his behavior was unacceptable. Since that time, it is alleged that Snooks continued to hug or touch female staffers and on one occasion "slapped" their buttocks with a pickleball paddle.

In a written response to the allegations, Snooks said the description of his actions was not an accurate or a full description of what occurred and provided clarification with respect to each incident.

However, the report said: "We find that the complaint against the Councillor is substantiated."

Barton stated that council will return to the report at its next council meeting.

At the same council meeting, councillors decided to table one of the bylaws they were supposed to pass. A regulatory bylaw listed on the agenda as "Being a by-law to Regulate Smoking and Vaping in Public Spaces and at Public Events in the Township of Uxbridge," contained no information about the provisions it was recommending. That apparently was because the bylaw hasn't yet been written. That, too, will be addressed at a future council meeting.