Stéphanie Plante faces integrity commissioner report

Good morning! 

It has been a few months since you last read about Sprung structures here in the Lookout. You may recall we reported extensively on the file last summer and fall when it was planned that two of the tent-like structures would be built in Ottawa. But then it all died when council cancelled the plan and found other alternatives instead.

Most readers probably thought that was an end to the Sprung structure debate, but behind the scenes, Ottawa’s Integrity Commissioner was undertaking an investigation into Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante. On Friday evening, she released her findings and the matter will be discussed at Wednesday’s council meeting.

But Plante is rejecting the accusations and is asking her council colleagues not to sanction her. We have full details of the report with information you won’t read anywhere else.

Let’s get to it!

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor, [email protected], X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Monday: 23 🌡️ 13 | 🌤️

Tuesday: 20 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

Wednesday: 21 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

THE LOOKOUT RECOMMENDS

French connection: Our colleague, and Lookout food and drink editor Ralf, released quite a few stories last week, many of which had a French connection. He reviewed three new spots, including a new Quebec-founded seafood joint, and salad shop. Plus, across the river, you’ll find what we’re predicting will quickly become a top restaurant in the region (so get your reservations in now)

Our favourite time of year: Christmas? New Year’s? Our birthday? Even better, it’s budget season! Charlie broke down some potential budget scenarios last week, including the potential property tax increase. Read it here.

— Recommendations by Geoff Sharpe, Lookout managing editor

CITY COUNCIL

Integrity commissioner report says councillor harassed and intimidated community members over Sprung structure debate

Read the story online here.

It was July 2024 when Barrhaven learned it was shortlisted to house a Sprung structure. At the time, Ottawa was seeing many newcomers with no place to go and had to find quick ways to provide temporary housing. But the issue set off a firestorm in the community that made it clear the tent-like structures would not be welcomed there. 

Barrhaven councillors Wilson Lo and David Hill opposed the project. But they faced fierce opposition from urban councillors in support of the plan, like Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante. She made her stance clear during media interviews and posts on social media. 

Now Karen Shepherd, the city’s integrity commissioner, says some of those interactions went too far, stating that Plante intimidated, harassed, and bullied some of those with whom she disagreed. 

Just hours after the report was released late Friday evening, Plante issued a statement on her website, saying she “categorically” rejected the report’s findings, saying “this is a curtailment of my freedom of speech” and she was only “engaging in legitimate public debate.”

The investigator who looked into the complaints, however, said that because Plante named people publicly on social media it “would tend to make one feel uncomfortable and underscore that their character and motivations were being called into question.” 

“I accept that the witnesses, along with some other members of the public observing the Respondents' posts on social media, felt intimidated and hesitant about engaging in the public debate about Sprung structures," read Shepherd in the report. “The respondent (Plante) did not simply state factual information about the witnesses, she made inferences and insinuations that to a reasonable person would appear to challenge the credibility and integrity of the witnesses.”

The report said it would be difficult to conclude that Plante intentionally tried to be intimidating, but said the use of emojis, memes, and innuendo “was disrespectful and rose to the level of intimidation and bullying.”

Plante did later delete the posts, the report noted, and said the councillor was willing to meet with the concerned parties who declined that opportunity. 

A breakdown of what happened

While the 39-page report is extensive in detail and examples, it does not name the four people who made the complaints. The integrity commissioner said more than one of the complainants expressed hesitation about filing the complaint because they did not want their identities to be exposed, but Shepard also noted since many of the social media posts were public, their identities could be traced. 

Witness 1 and 2 are described as previously working for Witness 3, who served as an elected official at the city for over 20 years. Witness 4 is categorized as a member of the public, a Barrhaven business owner, and a member of the Barrhaven Business Improvement Association (BIA).

The first incident is said to have been reported on July 25, 2024 when a “well-known media personality” posted to X about the Sprung structure debate. Witness 4 commented on the post, which Plante then responded to with a meme which read “Behold, a man has arrived to share his manly views.” 

In her interview with the investigator, Plante said “the meme was intended to convey someone who was commenting beyond their knowledge and that Witness 4 was incorrect about the proposed uses of the Sprung Structure.”

In November, before the complaints were filed, the Ottawa Lookout reported that the above tweet was aimed at Barrhaven BIA president Jason MacDonald. In a follow-up interview at the time, the Barrhaven business owner, who was speaking on behalf of himself and not the BIA, expressed concerns over how urban councillors were commenting on the matter when they represented wards on the other side of the city. 

“I will be considerate in the fact that everyone has a different spot on how to solve the problem, but the level of conflict, accusations, and name calling from downtown councillors without knowing our community has been extremely hurtful and harsh,” said MacDonald in November. 

Around the same time, Plante got into a spat on X with then-Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod who was opposed to the Sprung Structures being built anywhere in her suburban riding. 

Quoting one of MacLeod’s tweets, Plante said: “I have reached out to you by text @MacLeodLisa and you have my number. I also emailed the Barrhaven BIA in the summer. Happy to chat anytime but stop pretending that Jan isn’t behind this or that Jason’s property is not next to the site.”

That X post by Plante has since been deleted. 

Two weeks before this post, MacDonald had also confirmed in a public meeting put on by MacLeod that his office was located next door to the Highbury Park site. In an interview with the Lookout, he said there was never an effort to hide that fact and said his name is clearly advertised on his building. 

As was reported at the time, some accused former Barrhaven West Coun. Jan Harder of being behind the local movement to stop a Sprung structure from being built in the community. But when the rallies were held, she was in Florida. 

The integrity report does not mention MacDonald, MacLeod or Harder by name. 

Plante told the investigator that she had heard from other councillors that Witness 3 was in conversation with them about Sprung structures. When asked, Witness 3 confirmed she had received calls from the local ward councillors and  another Member of Council and had discussed the issue, but said they never “lobbied or accessed Councillors in a way that other citizens would not be able to do  to put forward her views on Sprung Structures.”

The social media feud continued. Later in the day, Plante emailed Witness 4 and the BBIA Executive Director to “suggest they meet to discuss community shelters and the integration of refugees into a community.” 

Witness 4 told the investigator he was not available to meet with Plante when she had asked, and did not feel the need to engage with the respondent since her ward was on the other side of Ottawa. “He said he felt this way because of the tone of the meme and the fact that the local Ward Councillors were engaged on the Sprung Structure matter. The meeting did not take place,” read the report. 

Over the next few months and through the fall, the integrity commissioner made multiple notes of social media debates Plante had either with or referencing the concerned Barrhaven residents. In one post, she accused MacDonald of doing an interview with a local radio station “on the company dime and has the wrong information.” Plante confirmed she had reached out to the Barrhaven BIA for a meeting and had not heard back. 

That same day, on Nov. 7, the city announced that Barrhaven would no longer have a Sprung structure with two locations shortlisted instead: Next to the Nepean Sportsplex in Knoxdale-Merivale Ward and at the Eagleson Park and Ride in Kanata. A few months later, in March, the plans were cancelled altogether. 

Through November, Plante had taken multiple jabs at MacLeod on X alongside MacDonald, saying in one post that the Barrhaven Sprung structure opposition was “about protecting [Witness 4]’s property values and demonizing immigrants,” the post read, according to the report. 

Plante also took various jabs at Witness 1, who she repeatedly identified as the niece of a former elected official. Plante said that Witness 1 was organizing a demonstration on Nov. 24, and accused them of collecting people's personal information because they asked people to register. 

In a video, Plante cautioned viewers, “Do not give these people your personal information. These types of events are generally held to get your personal information, because as everybody knows, we have federal and provincial elections just around the corner and these will be used eventually as propaganda tools, as recruitment tools, whatever.” 

Witness 1 denied to integrity investigators that the personal information collected from rally participants would be used for political purposes and confirmed that she had never shared the information with anyone. 

Plante later did a radio interview where she shared the same assumptions and said Witness 1 was a “political operative.”

A copy of the full Integrity Commissioner’s report can be found here.

The four witnesses accused Plante of disclosing personal information, however, Shepherd said that was not the case because the information was already in the public domain. 

What comes next

Plante sent an email to her council colleagues where she said "I want to be clear: I do not accept these findings,” reported the CBC. 

In a statement on her website, Plante said the complaint was “politically motivated” and said she is working on an appeal with her lawyer. 

“To the residents of Rideau Vanier: We have a housing crisis, opioid problem, and a downtown truck problem. We do not have an emoji crisis,” wrote Plante. “This investigation is a waste of valuable taxpayer dollars, city resources and time. I will continue to do the important work of representing you and holding those in positions of power to account – even when it makes them uncomfortable."

On Wednesday city council will vote on the integrity commissioner’s report, which recommends Plante be docked three days’ pay. 

"If council endorses these findings, we are saying that elected officials can be sanctioned and financially penalized based on the subjective feelings of complainants and a 'balance of probabilities' or that your social media posts could be deemed 'intimidation'," Plante wrote in an email to her colleagues. 

In late 2020, the Code of Conduct was updated to include a new policy on social media. Later that year, in the 2020 Annual Report, the Integrity Commissioner commented on the ethical context of the Interpretation Bulletin on the Use of Social Media: 

“As with any space where a Member of Council interacts with members of the public, the general spirit of the Code of Conduct already applies, because social media platforms are simply extensions of physical spaces. While the line between private and public roles may blur over social media, positions of authority persist online—along with the power to misuse that authority. As such,  public office holders using accounts representing the City will always be perceived to be acting in their public capacity, and will always be expected to practice “sober second thought” before speaking, and to maintain the same decorum expected of them during Council proceedings. 

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THE OTTAWA NUMBER

$16.3 million

According to a report for the city’s finance and corporate services committee, that’s the budget deficit posted for tax-supported programs and OC Transpo, due to snow clearing and a funding shortfall at the public transit system. The mayor is proposing to increase the transit service levy by up to 15 per cent, and increase transit fares by at least 7.5 per cent. Read more. [CTV]

SPONSORED BY FRIENDS OF THE FARM

Learn more about the trees of the Dominion Arboretum

A new book, Pathways to the Trees, published by the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm suggests eight different guided walks to enhance your visit to the Arboretum, while learning about their place on the Farm and in the world. The book celebrates 125 rare and familiar tree species and features over 800 stunning colour and archival photographs, along with text and maps.

THE AGENDA

🏠 Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he is willing to work with the Province of Ontario after Ottawa fell short in meeting its housing target and lost provincial funding allocated through the Building Faster Fund. His comments suggest that ‘working with the province’ would involve changing how the funding program operates, rather than meeting existing targets under the current program. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🤮 Pistachios in baklava and cookies sold at Alkadour Sweets and Mr. Kaak are being recalled due to a potential salmonella contamination. The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported 62 associated cases of salmonella in Ontario and Quebec. Read more. [CTV]

🏳️‍🌈 Capital Pride Parade was cancelled in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon, just as the parade began, after the group Queers for Palestine – Ottawa blocked the road, demanding to negotiate with the organizers. They also wanted Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to apologize for boycotting Capital Pride last year over a similar issue. [CBC]

👮 Ottawa Police Services Chief Eric Stubbs is calling on the Mayor to keep his proposed budget priority of increasing funding for the police by at least $30 million. Critics are raising concerns, noting that public safety also requires secure housing, accessible transit, and crime prevention and community outreach programs, which are - and would continue to be - underfunded with such a large portion of the city budget allocated to police. Read more. [CBC]

🛑 Lane reductions will begin today on St. Joseph Boulevard as construction begins on the St. Joseph Boulevard loop. Read more. [City News]

🚌 OC Transpo has launched its new 24-hour bus route between the Ottawa airport and the St-Laurent, Hurdman and Tremblay O-Train stations. Read more. [CTV]

🎩 A five-bedroom, six-bathroom home in the Crystal Bay neighbourhood recently sold for $5.04 million, becoming the most expensive home sold in Ottawa since 2023. Read more. [CTV]

🌲 Nearly 500 hectares of the Ottawa Valley Forest will be aerially sprayed with the herbicide glyphosate, beginning in September. Read more. [Inside Ottawa Valley]

EVENTS

Parkdale Night Market | Parkdale Public Market, 366 Parkdale Ave. | Aug. 27 at 5 pm | Evening market with local growers, unique products, and community atmosphere | Free

WelshFest on Sparks | Sparks Street | Aug. 27-31, various times | Free outdoor concert with Welsh music, dance and cultural performances | Free

Free Thursday Nights presented by BMO | National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr. | Aug. 28 at 5 pm | Free evening with art, music, refreshments, and creative activities | Free

YOWFest | Lansdowne Park, 1015 Exhibition Way | Aug. 29–30 | Two-day cultural music festival with Canadian and global performances | Tickets $65+

Retro Silent Disco Ottawa | National Gallery of Canada, 380 Sussex Dr. | Aug. 30 | 80s, 90s, 00s multi-DJ silent disco in iconic gallery setting | Tickets $43

Community Corn Roast & Kid's Fun Day | Gloucester Market, Ottawa | Aug. 30 | Celebrate summer with roasted corn, cotton candy, vendors, and kids’ activities | Free

Movie Night in the Park | Jim Malone Park, Ottawa | Aug. 30 | Outdoor family movie screening to close out summer | Free

Summer Maze Days | Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Rd., Munster | Until Aug. 31 | Family fun with world-famous mazes, zipline, food and outdoor activities | Tickets

Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers | Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Old Montreal Rd. | Aug. 31, 11 am-3 pm | Model locomotive demos and rail history fun for families and train lovers | Tickets $9

NEW JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Ottawa:

• Senior specialist, strategic partnerships at Canadian Red Cross

• Program manager, public services at City of Ottawa

• Manager, campus services operations at Carleton University

• Consulting manager, public sector at Accenture

• Sr. program manager, space program at Honeywell

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Sultan Ahmet Turkish Cuisine is reopening its location on Bank Street in the former home of the Clocktower Brew Pub, under new management. [OBJ]

• There’s a donut shop out in Carleton doing extremely unique donuts (they’re almost like croissants).

• Metcalfe Plaza, the Downtown BIA’s pop-up cultural space, is offering something to do downtown from August 14-September 20. [Downtown BIA]

• There’s a new Baskin Robbins opening in the ByWard market. [OBJ]

OTTAWA QUIZ

ON THIS DAY

August 25, 1971: Susan Stobo, a seven-year-old girl, who just five years prior had her mather shot dead, was found beaten to death in her home at 1255C Ledbury Avenue. Her six-year-old brother Rodney also suffered serious injuries and her mother was in critical condition with third-degree burns and was not expected to live. 

• At the same time, residents who lived near the Blackburn Hamlet quarry were expressing outrage over heavy dynamite blasting. They reported broken windows, china, and fallen pictures and mirrors. 

Gloucester city council wrote to the province requesting legislation over the blasting of mines. Councillor Eugene Bellemare said he would like to see the practice phased out in the community, given its proximity to houses. 

COMMUNITY PHOTO

Despite the Capital Pride Parade getting cancelled due to protesters, thousands of people still gathered in Downtown Ottawa to support the LGBTQ2S+ community.