Stéphanie Plante sanctioned for social media posts, but won’t receive dock in pay

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante has been reprimanded by her council colleagues for outspoken social media posts, but won’t receive a three-day dock in pay. 

The 16-8 vote came after the city’s integrity commissioner recommended the consequence following a nearly year-long investigation. According to the 39-page report released Friday, the integrity commissioner said Plante harassed and intimidated Barrhaven residents using memes and sarcastic remarks during a debate over where to build the now-failed plan for Sprung Structures. 

In one case, Plante tweeted a meme which read “Behold a man has arrived to share his manly view.” It was directed at real estate agent and Barrhaven BIA president Jason MacDonald who was opposed to the tent-like structures being built in the suburbs 

There were also instances where Plante got into debates with former city staff who used to work for Barrhaven Coun. Jan Harder. A total of four people filed complaints with the integrity commissioner. 

• A full account of the 30 social media posts in question can be read here. 

Plante has repeatedly said she did no wrong, calling it an attack on her free speech. During Wednesday's council meeting, she admitted that political debate can be emotional and a space where not everyone agrees. 

"As a whole, my posts did not contain abusive language. That means there were no threats, no insults, no profanity, nothing that meets the ordinary threshold of abuse, bullying, intimidation. Instead, she criticizes my tone," Plante said. "Tone is not the same as abuse or bullying."

The urban councillor said she understood that some people saw her comments as disrespectful, and said she regrets if her tone “contributed to those feelings,”  saying that was never her intent. 

But Plante also took aim at Integrity Commissioner Karen Shepard, saying she has concerns with the investigation. She’s now considering her legal options, including appealing the report to the Superior Court. 

“The commissioner admits that she did not analyze my posts individually, she admits I disclosed no personal information, she provided no case laws that supports treating feelings as a standard for adjudication and she cited no authority that allows an integrity commissioner to substitute feelings for facts,” Plante said.

Shepard was repeatedly asked about the findings in her report during the meeting, but would only say it “stands” and would not comment further.  

During the debate, River Coun. Riley Brockington moved a motion to receive the report, which would save Plante from facing the sanctions and would clear any wrongdoing. Stittsville Coun. Glen Gower then proceeded to move a motion, which received the report and formally reprimanded Plante, but no pay would be docked. 

Speaking after the meeting Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he found the solution to be appropriate, but believed Plante did breach the code of conduct. 

“I want to say that I think that a lot of councillors, and myself, spent a lot of time thinking about this and were conflicted by this situation. It’s never comfortable to be in a position where you’re asked to rule on a report on one of your colleagues, and I think there was a lot going on at that time that needs to be taken into account,” Sutcliffe told reporters.