A Chatham-Kent councillor is facing possible sanctions for allegedly using her position to mislead the public.
Susan Craig, the municipality’s integrity commissioner, released a report on August 13 recommending that council impose two formal reprimands and a 10-day pay suspension against Ward 6 Councillor Alysson Storey for violating two sections of council’s Code of Conduct.
Craig launched an investigation into Storey’s conduct in response to a complaint that was filed on January 2, which took issue with comments made 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 Storey’s alleged misleading statements and social media posts on the development of the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub at the former Sears building in downtown Chatham.
As part of her investigation, Craig interviewed individuals who were present at the Dresden public meeting, reviewed emails between Storey and members of the public, and reviewed video recordings of the October 21, 2024 council meeting.
The integrity commissioner found that Storey’s comments about the Hub project inaccurately linked 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.
“Her conduct undermined staff,” Craig said in her report. “While the councillor has the right to oppose the proposed development and raise concerns about accessibility and service impacts, that right did not extend to making unfounded assertions that the development would result in closures of services or that accessibility standards were not met, where such claims were unsupported by evidence. Repeated motions, public commentary, and social media posts that contradict staff reports and council decisions—without new or substantiated information—go beyond legitimate political advocacy.”
Ward 4 Councillor Rhonda Jubenville was also jointly investigated for her comments in relation to the CK Hub and other members of council after a separate complaint was filed against her. However, Craig found that Jubenvilles’s actions did not contravene the code of conduct.
Chatham-Kent Council will review the integrity commissioner’s report and will vote on whether or not to move forward with the recommended sanctions against Storey at a future meeting.
Storey could not be reached for comment ahead of publication.
