Dear Editor,
Bill Dennis’s recent behaviour, exemplified by his statement—"if we have to break some rules, so be it"—underscores the need for reform in how municipalities in Ontario handle elected officials who repeatedly undermine the public trust. Sarnia residents have already seen firsthand the damage caused by his conduct, with the Integrity Commissioner repeatedly finding Dennis in breach of the Code of Conduct. His repeated rule-breaking and disrespectful actions have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in investigation fees.
He then proceeds with a vicious attempt to discredit and belittle Councillor Adam Kilner with statements unbecoming of a city councillor; these are not the actions of a leader whatsoever, but of a schoolyard bully, looking to gaslight and divide. Leadership like this doesn’t lead us toward progress; it leads us down a path of authoritarianism and even worse, a mob-styled 'democracy.'
The problem goes beyond just one individual. After doing a little bit of research, it's quite shocking to be honest. Currently, Ontario municipalities have no formal mechanism for removing a sitting councillor or mayor, even in cases of egregious misconduct. A non-confidence vote or a removal process is common in other political systems but is glaringly absent at the municipal level. This gap leaves municipalities powerless in holding disruptive or harmful leaders accountable once they are in office.
Calls for reform have grown, particularly in light of cases where local leaders engage in repeated misconduct without consequence. For instance, in Mississauga, Councillor Ron Starr faced multiple allegations of harassment, yet there was no effective tool for the council to force his removal. This has led to discussions about empowering councils with the ability to pass non-confidence votes or initiate removal proceedings when a councillor repeatedly fails to uphold their duties.
In other jurisdictions, such mechanisms are already in place. For example, in British Columbia, the provincial government can remove municipal officials under certain circumstances, such as gross misconduct or breach of public trust. Implementing similar measures in Ontario would provide councils with a necessary tool to maintain the integrity of local governance and protect communities from leaders who put their own interests ahead of public service.
Bill Dennis’s repeated breaches show why Sarnia—and all of Ontario—needs these reforms. The costs of inaction are clear: damaged reputations, wasted taxpayer money, and a council hamstrung by a lack of accountability. If we are serious about protecting democracy at the local level, we need to empower municipalities with the tools to remove leaders who abuse their positions.
I’d take it even further by saying we need more citizens with the courage to stand up against politicians like this. Until a proper mechanism for accountability is in place, it’s up to the public to hold them responsible by speaking out and ensuring their actions are scrutinized in the court of public opinion.
Respectfully,
Shaun Antle