Councillor to Address Arrest in Meeting

Haley Bateman says they were at council to talk provincial legislation

A Niagara regional councillor is not happy she and others weren't allowed to speak against political intimidation in Ontario during last Niagara Falls council meeting.

Haley Bateman and others were arrested for holding signs reading "Women of Ontario Say No", after repeatedly asked to take them down.

She says they were not disrupting, after being denied the chance to speak about provincial legislation.  "To get us out of there in any way form, including weaponizing the rules of procedure, and possibly not being truthful in reasons to arrest us."

She adds the group she was with have spoken to other council meetings in Ontario.

Bateman also spoke to us about Councillor Mike Strange, who was there, while he waits on assault charges.  "While it has certainly something to do with Councillor Strange, it's probably a good case to refer to, it really has nothing to do with that.  We think the information needs to be heard, about how councillors are really above the law."

She says the situation was heightened when it didn't need to be.  She also says Strange should step aside while his case goes through the court, as would anyone else.

The mayor is repeating his assertion that signs and props are not allowed in council chambers, unless used for a presentation.  Jim Diodati could not tell us why they were denied the presentation, that's up to the city clerk.

He also says people cannot just come into council and expect to have their agenda rammed through.

He also spoke of Councillor Mike Strange.  "To intimidate and bully a member of council, that's not going to happen.  We're all following the rule of law, and in this country, you're innocent until proven guilty."

As for her assertion it wasn't about Strange, the mayor strongly doubts that.  He says it's all about maintaining council decorum, to prevent chaos from happening.  "And then, you can't make good decisions, and then we're not following our democratic directions.  We've had people in the past show up with signs, and we've denied them as well."