While disagreeing with an integrity commissioner’s findings against her, Chatham-Kent Councillor Alysson Storey was apologetic as she was reprimanded for allegedly spreading misinformation about a major municipal project.
CK Council voted in favour of issuing two formal reprimands against Storey on Monday in response to a report by Integrity Commissioner Susan Craig, who determined that the Ward 6 representative violated two sections of council’s Code of Conduct. A recommendation to suspend Storey’s pay for 10 days failed to pass with councillors deadlocked in a 7-7 tie vote.
Craig launched an investigation in response to a complaint that was filed on January 2, which took issue with comments made by Storey during an unsanctioned public meeting in Dresden on October 20, 2024, and a subsequent council meeting. A second complaint was also received on March 11 relating to alleged misleading statements and social media posts Storey made on the development of the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub at the former Sears building in downtown Chatham.
According to Craig, Storey repeatedly made comments in public and online about the Hub project inaccurately linking the move to the old Sears building to a loss of municipal services, particularly in rural areas, and library closures. It was also alleged that Storey made inaccurate statements that left the impression that municipal staff did not address accessibility standards in the new building.
While a councillor can voice their opposition, Craig said they cannot disobey the code of conduct “under the guise of freedom of expression, simply stating a dissenting view, or stating they’re representing their constituents.”
“A councillor may definitely speak on a matter of importance to their community, but may not make misstatements about staff’s advice or drive a narrative that undermines staff reports through unsupported suggestions,” said Craig during Monday’s meeting. “[Storey] crossed the line between the governance role of a member of council and the administration’s operations role by not accepting staff subject matter experts and consultant recommendations. These repetitive behaviours left staff feeling targeted, undermined and, at times, intimidated.”
While addressing council, Storey expressed a concern that the investigation into her actions was “an attempt to silence those [who] are asking legitimate questions.”
“I do believe then as I believe now that I am trying to do my best as a first-term councillor, that I’m fulfilling one of the most important roles, which is raising concerns and asking questions, in good faith, on behalf of my constituents, and I will continue to do that,” she said. “I have asked what I thought were reasonable questions, and it remains my opinion that I feel we have not received full responses to that yet.”
In her report, the integrity commissioner said Storey has repeatedly “communicated a narrative of inaccurate information, in the guise of simply asking questions on behalf of constituents whom she represents.”
While she does not agree with the integrity commissioner’s findings, Storey said she has no intention to challenge them or council’s vote.
“I apologize unreservedly to any staff who felt I undermined their integrity. It is never and has never been my intention to disrespect any of my fellow councillors or administration,” said Storey.
As part of the same integrity commissioner’s report, Ward 4 Councillor Rhonda Joubenville was jointly investigated for her comments in relation to the CK Hub and other members of council, after a separate complaint was filed against her. While Craig said Jubenville’s conduct “was very inappropriate and disrespectful” toward fellow councillor Jammie McGrail, those actions did not contravene the code of conduct.
During deliberations on the integrity commissioner’s report, CK councillors voted in favour of a motion from Councillor Lauren Anderson to mandate additional code of conduct training for all elected officials.
