Town of Gore Bay concerned by a lack of evidence
GORE BAY—Gore Bay town council has decided to not take action on a resolution passed by the Township of Chapleau that calls for the province of Ontario to remove Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha from his seat as MPP due to what it claims through research was inappropriate sexual misconduct that led MPP Mantha to be removed from the NDP caucus earlier this year.
“I’m not comfortable supporting this resolution, and I feel he would need to be found guilty of all these charges before we would even consider supporting this,” stated Gore Bay councillor Dan Osborne at a meeting last week.
At the meeting, council considered a resolution from the township of Chapleau sent to the province of Ontario regarding the MPP’s seat in Algoma-Manitoulin. “That the council of the Township of Chapleau does hereby recognize that tolerance for inappropriate sexual misconduct is not accepted in today’s world. And that NDP Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha has been removed from the NDP Caucus due to an allegation of misconduct. And that subsequently an investigation found that there was enough evidence through multiple witness interviews and video evidence that found him guilty of workplace misconduct; And that the council of the Township of Chapleau would like to see the province of Ontario send a clear message and set an example of MPP Mantha by removing him from our riding of Algoma-Manitoulin; And furthermore, that this resolution is circulated to the Premier of Ontario, leaders of provincial opposition parties, and municipalities within the Algoma-Manitoulin district.”
“I am a little surprised by this resolution—this is the first I’ve seen something like this,” said Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane. “We all know (Mr. Mantha) was expelled by the NDP caucus (for allegations of workplace misconduct),” but he noted Chapleau seems to claim to know exactly all the details of what happened.
“I don’t think this (sexual misconduct) ever came out previously,” said Councillor Osborne. “If that was the case, he (MPP Mantha) would have been charged with this. And if this was the case, our provincial government has the power and would have removed him from the legislature.”
However, Mayor Lane noted that just because MPP Mantha was not charged with any criminal charges does not mean that it never took place.
“But this is the first time we have seen this (allegations of sexual misconduct),” said Councillor Osborne.
Mayor Lane said what has been publicized is that MPP Mantha had been removed from the NDP caucus due to an allegation of misconduct. “We don’t have to support the resolution (from Chapleau). But the allegation must have been serious enough that he was suspended from the NDP caucus.”
“But this is the only place we have seen these (new) allegations,” stated Councillor Osborne. “If we are saying we are going to support hearsay, I will not support this.”
Councillor Kelly Chaytor indicated she was in agreement with Councillor Osborne.
Judith Meyntz, CAO for Chapleau told The Expositor on Wednesday of last week, “it was information council received through research from newspapers that they based the decision on. The information provided is that multiple witness interviews and video evidence found that he was guilty of workplace misconduct.”
“Council’s resolution was passed to send a clear message that this type of misconduct is no longer accepted,” said Ms. Meyntz.
Ms. Meyntz explained, “it was through research on Google that I confirmed (what is in the Chapleau resolution). Everything that was found was through researching newspapers on Google.”
Gore Bay council agreed to table the Chapleau resolution and ask for more information, and its source.
When contacted by The Expositor MPP Mantha stated, “basically any municipality has the right to put in any resolution they want.”
