THE WOMEN OF ONTARIO SAY NO

We’re a non-partisan group advocating for government legislation to hold municipally-elected politicians accountable for violence and harassment.

The ACCOUNTABILITY NOW Tee is now available via The Untouched Experiment

Ontarians deserve better. Wear your voice and make it clear that we all deserve government legislation.

We look to you—our dedicated Councillors and members of the community—to wear your ACCOUNTABILITY NOW tee at every council meeting until government legislation is introduced.

Ontario municipalities have learned the hard way that there is a lack of tools in the Municipal Act for holding councillors accountable for workplace harassment.

Right now in Ontario, the most severe penalty that can be imposed on a municipal councillor is the suspension of pay for 90 days.

There is no current process for removing councillors from office, even when egregious acts are committed and substantiated.

We need government legislation to change that.

And we need it now.

Government legislation would amend the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

We need legislation to ensure that:

Locally-elected officials are held accountable to violence and harassment policies.

A process is in place for the removal of municipally-elected officials found guilty of egregious, and substantiated, acts of violence and harassment.

There is restriction on re-election opportunities for municipally-elected officials found guilty of violence and harassment.

Every other working Ontarian is required to operate under workplace violence and harassment policies.

Why are municipally-elected politicians held to a lower standard?

Currently, if your municipality’s Integrity Commissioner confirms a councillor perpetrated harassment (sexual, emotional, and/or psychological), no matter how serious, the councillor can keep their job and still seek re-election.

History & Context

The Ontario government introduced legislation to mandate that employers have a Workplace Violence and Harassment policy. This legislation underscored the rights of all persons to be safe at work. Yet, municipally elected representatives have essentially experienced immunity, by virtue of public election.

Bill 5 - The Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act was voted down on May 31, 2023.

It had all party support in 2021.

Watch the debate here.

We have been calling on the government since October 2022 for government legislation on this issue.

A majority government can pass complex legislation in less than four weeks.  

The government completed consultations on this in 2021. Not only did the current government not pass its own legislation to address this human rights protection gap, they also did not prioritize The Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act.

MEDIA COVERAGE

OTTAWA CITIZEN

TORONTO STAR

CTV NEWS TORONTO

MUNICIPAL WORLD

TORONTO STAR

CBC NEWS

CITY TV NEWS

CBC

MUNICIPAL WORLD

OTTAWA CITIZEN

OTTAWA CITIZEN

GLOBAL NEWS

Chiarelli accusers crushed by Bill 5 defeat, vow to continue to fight for tougher anti-harassment rules for municipalities

Private members' bill to oust misbehaving councillors to see 2nd reading again 

Whitby mayor backs proposed bill taking aim at abusive elected officials

Ottawa mayor to push province on legislation that ousts misbehaving councillors

About The Women of Ontario Say No

We’ve chosen this name because women, including trans, non-binary and gender fluid people, are more adversely affected. 

We need government legislation that will protect all persons. 

According to the Angus Reid Institute (2018), 52% of Canadian women say they have been subject to sexual harassment in the workplace, and 28% of Canadian women say they have been subject to non-consensual sexual touching in the workplace. 

It’s 2024, let’s make this happen.

Here’s how you can help:

  • CONTACT YOUR MPP

    Call, email, or tweet your MPP and tell them that your vote depends on government legislation tabled in the fall.

    Here’s a sample letter.

    This can’t (and shouldn’t have to) wait.

    FIND MY MPP

  • PART OF A UNION?

    Send a letter to your union to encourage their support of this advocacy.

    Here’s a sample letter.

    SAMPLE LETTER

  • DELIVER A DEPUTATION

    A deputation is a presentation to your local council to ask for their support of government legislation. When they support, the province will follow.

    We’ll provide the details, just reach out. Here is a sample motion for councils to endorse from the Association of Ontario Municipalities.

    CONTACT US

  • REQUEST AN INQUIRY

    The Ontario Human Right Commission can launch an inquiry if it meets certain criteria.

    Our current reality is blatant negligence.

    REQUEST AN INQUIRY

  • SHARE ON SOCIAL

    Follow, like and share.

    @WOMENOFONTARIOSAYNO

    FOLLOW US

  • WRITE TO THE MEDIA

    Getting the message out to readers across Ontario will push our government to take action.

    RECENT COVERAGE

FAQs

  • We are a grassroots, collective advocacy network (of all genders) that started in Simcoe County in response to concern of workplace harassment by councillors across the province. We are a growing group of organizations, community groups, and concerned individuals.

  • Historically, private member’s bills do not get passed. But this is urgent. Now that Bill 5 is voted down, we’re calling on the government to prioritize this issue and pass legislation in fall 2023.

  • Any Private Member (i.e. a Member who is not the Speaker or a Cabinet Minister) may introduce a Private Member’s Public Bill. Such a bill may pertain to any topic within provincial jurisdiction.

  • The burden of proof for a criminal offence is ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’. This is much different than internal HR policies, where consequences can be enacted based upon a balance of probability. I.e, does the evidence suggest it is probable that this occurred? There is a different level of scrutiny applied depending on the burden of proof.

  • Yes. We anticipate that our provincially elected officials will act on this if they receive enough pressure from the public.

“Our elected leaders hold decision-making powers in the community and their position necessitates extensive community engagement. Without accountability structures in place with respect to harassment, the safety and wellbeing of the community is adversely affected - but it’s a risk we can address.”

— Emily McIntosh, Supporter of The Women of Ontario Say No

204 Ontario municipalities (and growing daily)

Is your community in support yet?

  • NIAGARA REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY (UPPER TIER)

  • REGION OF WATERLOO (UPPER TIER)

  • HALTON REGION (UPPER TIER)

  • COUNTY OF ESSEX (UPPER TIER)

  • COUNTY OF LENNOX AND ADDINGTON (UPPER TIER)

  • UNITED COUNTIES OF LEEDS AND GRENVILLE (UPPER TIER)

  • DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OF MUSKOKA (UPPER TIER)

  • YORK REGION (UPPER TIER)

  • OXFORD COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • COUNTY OF LANARK (UPPER TIER)

  • COUNTY OF SIMCOE (UPPER TIER)

  • COUNTY OF FRONTENAC (UPPER TIER)

  • LAMBTON COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • PERTH COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • UNITED COUNTIES OF PRESCOTT-RUSSELL (UPPER TIER)

  • NORTHCUMBERLAND COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • HASTINGS COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • MIDDLESEX COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • COUNTY OF DUFFERIN (UPPER TIER)

  • ELGIN COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • CITY OF TORONTO

  • HURON COUNTY (UPPER TIER)

  • PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

  • TOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE

  • CITY OF WOODSTOCK

  • TOWN OF NEW TECUMSETH

  • ESSA TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF CLEARVIEW

  • TOWN OF MIDLAND

  • TOWNSHIP OF SPRINGWATER

  • CITY OF BARRIE

  • CITY OF OTTAWA

  • TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH

  • TOWNSHIP OF TINY

  • TOWN OF INNISFIL

  • TOWN OF BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY

  • TOWN OF PENETANGUISHENE

  • CITY OF ORILLIA

  • TOWNSHIP OF THE ARCHIPELAGO

  • CITY OF LONDON

  • MUNICIPALITY OF KINCARDINE

  • CITY OF KENORA

  • TOWNSHIP OF NORWICH

  • MUNICIPALITY OF RICHMOND HIILL

  • CITY OF HAMILTON

  • CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE

  • CITY OF STRATFORD

  • TOWN OF AURORA

  • TOWN OF GANANOQUE

  • MUNICIPALITY OF CHATHAM-KENT

  • CITY OF PETERBOROUGH

  • CITY OF NORTH BAY

  • TOWNSHIP OF ASPHODEL - NORWOOD

  • TOWNSHIP OF DUBREUILVILLE

  • TOWNSHIP OF ALBERTON

  • CITY OF VAUGHAN

  • MUNICIPALITY OF DUTTON DUNWICH

  • CITY OF MISSISSAUGA

  • TOWNSHIP OF BROCK

  • TOWN OF AJAX

  • TOWNSHIP OF ENNISKILLEN

  • CITY OF PICKERING

  • TOWNSHIP OF ADDINGTON HIGHLANDS

  • TOWN OF GEORGINA

  • TOWN OF PARRY SOUND

  • TOWNSHIP OF MULMUR

  • MUNICIPALITY OF LAMBTON SHORES

  • TOWN OF INGERSOLL

  • BECKWITH TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF PERRY

  • MUNICIPALITY OF ARRAN-ELDERSLIE

  • MUNICIPALITY OF GREENSTONE

  • TOWN OF ORANGEVILLE

  • PRINCE TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON

  • TOWNSHIP OF EAST HAWKESBURY

  • TOWNSHIP OF ZORRA

  • TOWNSHIP OF ADJALA TOSORONTIO

  • TOWN OF SMITHS FALLS

  • TOWN OF PETROLIA

  • TOWNSHIP OF RUSSELL

  • TOWNSHIP OF WEST LINCOLN

  • TOWNSHIP OF RAMARA

  • TOWN OF ST. MARY'S

  • TOWN OF COLLINGWOOD

  • TOWN OF PLYMPTON-WYOMING

  • TOWNSHIP OF MINDEN HILLS

  • TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH STORMONT

  • SEVERN TOWNSHIP

  • MUNICIPALITY OF TRENT HILLS

  • TOWN OF WHITBY

  • TOWNSHIP OF TUDOR AND CASHEL

  • ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP

  • TOWN OF SOUTH BRUCE PENINSULA

  • CITY OF KINGSTON

  • TOWNSHIP OF EAST ZORRA-TAVISTOCK

  • TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH-WEST OXFORD

  • TOWN OF WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE

  • TOWNSHIP OF DAWN-EUPHEMIA

  • MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH

  • CITY OF ST. THOMAS

  • MUNICIPALITY OF MATTICE-VAL COTE

  • CITY OF KITCHENER

  • CITY OF WATERLOO

  • SMOOTH ROCK FALLS

  • TOWN OF COCHRANE

  • TOWNSHIP OF WARWICK

  • MUNICIPALITY OF CASSELMAN

  • TOWNSHIP OF WELLINGTON NORTH

  • TOWN OF NIAGARA FALLS

  • TOWNSHIP OF MONTAGUE

  • MUNICIPALITY OF KILLARNEY

  • TOWN OF BRACEBRIDGE

  • CITY OF CLARENCE ROCKLAND

  • TOWNSHIP OF SOUTHGATE

  • MUNICIPALITY OF TWEED

  • TOWNSHIP OF ALFRED-PLANTAGENET

  • TOWN OF GRIMSBY

  • CITY OF SARNIA

  • TOWN OF MILTON

  • TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH FRONTENAC

  • CITY OF BURLINGTON

  • TOWNSHIP OF STRATHROY-CARADOC

  • TOWN OF GRAVENHURST

  • MUNICIPALITY OF WAWA

  • TOWNSHIP OF CARLOW-MAYO

  • MUNICIPALITY OF PORT HOPE

  • TOWN OF COBOURG

  • CITY OF PORT COLBORNE

  • TOWNSHIP OF LANARK HIGHLANDS

  • TOWN OF MONO

  • MUNICIPALITY OF MAGNETAWAN

  • CITY OF WELLAND

  • TOWN OF PELHAM

  • MUNICIPALITY OF BROOKE-ALVINSTON

  • TOWN OF HUNTSVILLE

  • CITY OF BROCK

  • TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON

  • MUNICIPALITY OF SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX

  • VILLAGE OF POINT EDWARD

  • TOWNSHIP OF NORTH FRONTENAC

  • MELANCTHON TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF EVANTUREL

  • TOWNSHIP OF TEHKUMMAH

  • TAY TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH

  • TOWNSHIP OF AMARANTH

  • TOWNSHIP OF CHAMPLAIN

  • TOWN OF BRUCE MINES

  • GILLIES TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF JOHNSON

  • TOWNSHIP OF LUCAN BIDDULPH

  • TOWN OF LASALLE

  • TOWNSHIP OF MOONBEAM

  • SHUNIAH TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF SOUTHWOLD

  • MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM

  • MUNICIPALITY OF WEST NIPISSING

  • CITY OF ST. CATHARINES

  • TOWN OF HALTON HILLS

  • CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

  • CITY OF TIMMINS

  • TOWNSHIP OF TARBUTT

  • TOWN OF TILLSONBURG

  • TOWN OF PUSLINCH

  • TOWN OF NEWMARKET

  • TOWNSHIP OF KILLALOE, HAGARTY RICHARDS

  • TOWN OF HAWKESBURY

  • TOWNSHIP OF FARADAY

  • TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON

  • MUNICIPALITY OF BRIGHTON

  • TOWNSHIP OF LAKE OF BAYS

  • TOWNSHIP OF SEGUIN

  • MUNICIPALITY OF TRENT LAKES

  • MUICIPALITY OF MISSISSIPPI MILLS

  • TOWNSHIP OF MATACHEWAN

  • CITY OF BRAMPTON

  • CITY OF GUELPH

  • MUNICIPALITY OF SOUTH DUNDAS

  • TOWNSHIP OF CRAMAHE

  • SELWYN TOWNSHIP

  • TOWNSHIP OF HORNEPAYNE

  • TOWN OF BLUE MOUNTAINS

  • TOWN OF GREATER NAPANEE

  • MUNICIPALITY OF GREY HIGHLANDS

  • MUNICIPALITY OF POWASSAN

  • TOWNSHIP OF McKELLAR

  • SIOUX LOOKOUT

  • CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES

  • TOWN OF KEARNEY

  • MUNICIPALITY OF MATTAWAN

  • MUNICIPALITY OF ST.-CHARLES

  • TOWN OF BANCROFT

  • MUNICIPALITY OF POWASSAN

  • MUNICIPALITY OF MIDDLESEX CENTRE

  • TOWNSHIP OF MUSKOKA LAKES

  • TOWN OF PRESCOTT

  • TOWN OF PERTH

  • TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH GLENGARRY

  • CITY OF QUINTE WEST

  • MUNICIPALITY OF THAMES CENTRE

  • CENTRE WELLINGTON

  • TOWNSHIP OF PRINCE

  • BRANT COUNTY

In the News

View fullsize What is Bill 5? It’s hope for the future…. Please continue to share our message and contact us if you’d like to get involved. #lookingforchange #safeworkplace #womeninpoliticsmatter #electher #womensupportingwomen #womenofsimco
View fullsize ✔️Reach out to your provincial and municipal leaders. ✔️Ask them to get behind Bill 5. ✔️Ask them to use their voice; their decision making and their leadership to say NO to harassment in the workplace. ➡️Bill 5 will hold municipal leaders account
View fullsize ✔️Reach out to your provincial leaders. ✔️Reach out to your municipal leaders. ✔️Ask them to get behind Bill 5. ✔️Ask them to use their voice; their decision making and their leadership to say NO to harassment in the workplace. ➡️Bill 5 will hold
View fullsize
View fullsize It’s just that simple. Won’t you join us in bringing about systemic change? Make it safe for women in politics. Support Bill 5. DM us with any questions you may have or if you’d like to get involved. #makeadifferencetoday #onta
View fullsize Violence Against Women is nothing new. That’s why we are advocating for it’s elimination from the offices of elected officials. Because a municipality is still a workplace. On December 6, we remember the women who lost their lives in 19
View fullsize Change makers, make changes! Please share with the incredible women and men in your network that can help take this grassroots movement to the next level. What’s the next level, you ask? Bill 5 needs more eyes, ears and voices from concerned
View fullsize No to workplace abuse. No to workplace harassment. No to elected leaders abusing their power of office. We all deserve to work in a safe environment. Please follow and share as we bring some much-needed attention to the merits of Bill 5 ‘St
View fullsize Bill 5 is a re-introduction of Bill 10 "Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act” that died on the floor due to lack of urgency in 2021 when the Provincial election was called. This excerpt from MPP @stephenblais highlights why
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Have an idea for how you can help?

Let us know.

Organizations and associations are calling for government legislation, including:

Endorsed by: