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Niagara Regional Council Votes to Dock Mayor Bylsma's Pay Over Menstruation Question

West Lincoln Mayor's pay suspended for a week after investigation determines he violated code of conduct.

Niagara Regional Council has voted in favour of docking West Lincoln Mayor David Bylsma one week's pay after an integrity commissioner determined he violated the council's code of conduct.

In May, Bylsma asked a woman in a Facebook message if getting the COVID-19 shot impacted her period. 

On Thursday night council received a 19 page report from Interim Integrity Commissioner Michael Maynard after St. Catharines Councilor Laura Ip filed a complaint. 

The report concluded that Bylsma's actions were "irresponsible", and recommended the Mayor's pay be suspended for one week. 

Council voted 29-1 in favour of the recommendation, with councilor Albert Witteveen being the dissenting vote. 

Regional Chair Jim Bradley sent us the following statement about the situation:

“Last night, Regional Council voted to both receive the findings of our Integrity Commissioner, as well as move forward with the recommended penalty, which was to suspend Councillor Bylsma’s compensation for a period of seven days. Based on the commissioner’s report, it was clear that Councillor Bylsma contravened our Code of Conduct and Council acted accordingly to demonstrate their commitment to ethical and appropriate conduct. I trust that Council’s action will encourage Councillor Bylsma to reflect on this matter and help him take steps to avoid future breaches of our code.”

Bylsma also remains in hot water for participating in an anti-lockdown rally earlier this year. 

He has received a court summons for his participation, and could be fined up to $10,000. 


 

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