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<ORG NAME> 

<ADDRESS> 

<DATE>, 2023 

Dear <NAME>, 

My name is <____________> and I am writing on behalf of The Women of Ontario Say No – a collaborative of people of all genders, organizations and community groups that care deeply about basic human rights in the workplace. In this case, protection of the right to go to work and not to be harassed by an elected member of Council. We need legislation that creates consistent safety measures across all municipalities in Ontario. At its most basic level, this is about creating the foundation for healthy workplaces and supporting diversity of voice at the local decision-making table. This is a non-partisan advocacy effort.  

Bill-5 – The Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act - was voted down by the government on May 31st, 2023. Given this, we are now calling on the Conservative government to introduce its own legislation in the fall with many of the same provisions to ensure that municipally elected representatives are held to the same standard of conduct as any other working Ontarian.  

There are so many good people that serve the people as elected representatives. However, 

like every sector, there are people who are guilty of perpetrating harassment in the workplace. One does not have to look far to find examples, such as Barrie, Ottawa, Mississauga and Brampton as to why this legislation is so necessary. In fact, the number of examples has only increased since this effort began in October 2022. 

In every other workplace in Ontario, employees are held to violence and harassment in the 

workplace policies. Currently, there is no legislation that provides an appropriate mechanism for accountability for municipally elected representatives when it comes to perpetrating harassment. In any other job, if egregious acts of harassment are substantiated, the person is terminated. In the present, not only can an elected representative perpetrate harassment, but no matter how egregious, they can retain their position and seek re-election. This is not acceptable.  

Change takes every voice. We are writing to you because we know that unions are the bedrock of healthy workplaces and their inception stems from basic workplace safety. The status quo is grossly juxtaposed to the invaluable work of unions, and we need all unions to step up and support the rights of their members- specifically women, who constitute 51% of the population, are grossly underrepresented in politics, and are 100% of the victims as per media reports.  

The Ask:  

We are asking for a formal letter of support from UNION NAME calling on a government Bill to address this glaring and harmful gap to be introduced in the fall with the following requests:  

  • Update Codes of Conduct to account for workplace safety and harassment; 

  • Ensure a process for removal of a councilor for substantiated egregious acts of harassment;  

  • Prohibit a member so removed from sitting for election in the term of removal and the subsequent term of office.  

Context: The last recommendation is based on the same consequence applied to candidates who fail to file a financial statement for their election campaign. It is hard to try to rationalize how a lack of financial disclosure warrants penalty, while councilors guilty of egregious harassment can pursue re-election carte blanche. Something is wrong with this picture. You cannot obtain diversity of voice at the decision-making table, when at a baseline level, the workplace is unsafe. 

I am happy to report that should you support this effort, you will be joining dozens of other organizations and over 156 municipalities across Ontario that formally support legislation on this. 

The letter of support should be circulated to: 

 • Premier Doug Ford (premier@ontario.ca), 

• Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark (Steve.Clark@pc.ola.org),  

• Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, Charmaine Williams (Charmaine.Williams@pc.ola.org), and  

• the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (amo@amo.on.ca). 

We look to you, our unions, who protect the safety and interests of workers across Ontario, to continue to be a leader for human rights. Please join the movement and stand up for the human rights of every person in this province. 

Thank you in advance. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely,  

<NAME> 

<CONTACT INFO>