Chatham-Kent councillor Rhonda Jubenville will lose out on three months’ pay, after her council colleagues voted 13-3 at last night’s council meeting to sanction her for breaching the council’s code of conduct.
After the decision, Jubenville was unapologetic for her actions.
She said she will probably not change her ways when it comes to expressing her opinions on social media, saying “I am who I am.”
“Those were my opinions and the opinions of thousands of Chatham-Kent citizens,” Jubenville said.
Chatham-Kent’s Integrity Commissioner Mary Ellen Bench made the recommendation to halt the councillor’s remuneration for three months, which is the maximum penalty allowed, after an investigation into complaints about Jubenville’s social media posts. In her report, Bench said Jubenville used her influence of office and position as a public official to improperly voice comments about community matters, other councillors, and social issues in the community.
Councillor Lauren Anderson suggested that instead of having her pay docked, that perhaps Jubenville should apologize, because it would potentially bring people together rather than a three-month pay suspension.
After council made their decision, Jubenville said she has no plans to apologize because she never made a comment that hurt anyone in Chatham-Kent. She said there is no evidence she has harassed, bullied, or intimidated a fellow councillor or a citizen of Chatham-Kent.
Bench said she thought that Jubenville should receive the maximum penalty for a number of reasons, noting the number of complainants and the concerns they raised.
“The genuine fear that people in the community had as a result of this issue. It has certainly created a divide that is going to take some time to heal– around this (council) table and in the community,” Bench said.
Councillors said that Jubenville’s behaviour is about attempts at bullying and intimidating behaviour that followed an unsuccessful motion from Jubenville.
Councillor Aaron Hall said Jubenville’s comments were reckless and detrimental to the community and council.
Councillor Marjorie Crew said Jubenville made no acknowledgement or showed self-awareness about the harm that she has caused through her words and actions.
When asked if there are plans for Jubenville to seek legal action for the punishment levied against her, Jubenville’s lawyer Michael Alexander said it will be discussed.
“I think we have a right of action. The question is whether we will act on that,” Alexander said.
Jubenville will not be paid for her council duties for the months of September, October, and November.
There was a large police presence at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre on Monday night, with only councillors, municipal staff, media, and a limited number of members of the public.
Jubenville’s supporters watched the council meeting via a television in the lobby of the Civic Centre, with close to 100 more outside of the Civic Centre.
Councillors Lauren Anderson, Michael Bondy and Ryan Doyle voted not to sanction Jubenville.