KEEPING COUNCIL HONEST
Learn how a group of 5 Rideau Lakes Councilors has weaponized council & created a toxic work environment for staff & council.
J. BANKS ORDERING M. MAXWELL TO SILENCE THE PUBLIC & RLGG
A MESSAGE TO THE PARTY OF 5
At the October 6th meeting, Jeff and Paula Banks and the other party members used RLLG to threaten other Councillors.
Mr. Banks made a point of stating directly to Councillor Maxwell, and then later to the Mayor that RLGG, and other supporters of the Mayor and Maxwell, were part of the reason the penalties recommended by Integrity Commissioner penalties were massively increased. You said this was so because “that’s enough” from the RLGG and the public. No more comments from anyone that disagrees with the Party of 5. Indeed, Jeff ordered Maxwell that “its gotta stop”.
To any reasonable person that watched the meeting, the Party of 5 as much stated that if support in any format continued, further sanctions would be brought forward against the Mayor and Maxwell. This is beyond the bounds of ethical debate. Moreover, neither Councilor Maxwell nor the Mayor tell RLGG what to say or do - FULL STOP.
To the Party of 5, we want to be abundantly clear, this attempt to use public office to threaten our group and the public at large, because we disagree with you and use democratic means to voice the disagreement, is in fact a form of extortion. We are and the public are not intimidated. We will not be silenced.
J. Banks orderi Maxwell to stop anyone who disagrees wi/hm & the Party of 5. If not, things w/worse
Truth and Reconsilation
September 30th, 2025
September 30th. Is national Truth and Reconciliation Day or Orange Shirt Day. It is a day for all of us as Canadians to acknowledge and accept the true history of our country, and to inspire ongoing Reconciliation between and among Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians.
We should be more honest, more respectful, more inclusive, more loving ... more Canadian. We must acknowledge, accept and do better. We all can equally share this great nation.
Seven Sacred Teachings:
- Respect: To give and respect all life.
- Love: To always act in love towards the Creator, Earth, family, and humanity.
- Courage: To have the courage to do what is right and listen to your heart.
- Honesty: To be honest with yourself and others, and be true to your word.
- Wisdom: To recognize special gifts in others and use them to create a peaceful world.
- Humility: To think of others before yourself and be thankful to the Creator.
- Truth: To always seek truth and to live by these Seven Teachings.
Connection to Truth and Reconciliation
- Healing and Relationships: The Seven Sacred Teachings provide a framework for understanding and promoting the healing of relationships damaged by the residential school system and other historical injustices.
- Indigenous Rights: Living according to these teachings fosters self-respect, cultural strength, and a strong connection to the land and the natural world.
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): The TRC's final report includes the 94 Calls to Action, which aim to address the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. Understanding and applying these traditional teachings is essential for achieving the goals of reconciliation.
- Reconciliation as a Process: Reconciliation is a journey of healing relationships through public truth-sharing, apology, and commemoration, all of which are supported by a deep understanding of these foundational Indigenous teachings.
RLGG respects and acknowledging the truths of our past as Canadians. We also wonder, could many of these same teachings be relevant to Rideau Lakes Township and its council?
The photo, the Sacred Teachings and considerations for Rideau Lakes
Inspired by the Seven Sacred Teachings, The Truth and Reconciliation display pictured in the photo is an outward expression of inner acknowledgement, acceptance & support for the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
There is so much to learn and pass on to, younger generations. North of Nowhere, a book written by Marie Wilson, the only woman of the 3 Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners. This book is an impact full read. Another recent book is Jodi
Wilson-Raybould's book, True Reconciliation, How To Be a Force For Change.
Lessons from both these books, if taken to heart, would serve all communities well; including the Township of Rideau Lakes and its council.
"PAULA in POLITICS" on CBC RADIO - FACT CHECK
CBC RADIO INTERVIEW - AUG 18, 2025
RLGG OBSERVATIONS & FACT CHECK ON INTERVIEW
RLGG OBSERVATIONS & FACT CHECK ON INTERVIEW
Councilor Paul Banks on CBC Radio Ottawa's All In A Day on August 18, 2025 while attending Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference
RLGG OBSERVATIONS & FACT CHECK ON INTERVIEW
RLGG OBSERVATIONS & FACT CHECK ON INTERVIEW
RLGG OBSERVATIONS & FACT CHECK ON INTERVIEW
As usual, councillor Banks misrepresents and spins the story. Too bad CBC didn't dive deeper on her comments - but maybe they will....
RECENT VIDEOS FROM RLGG
Videos watched over 20,000 times that tell the saga of the toxicity of Rideau Lakes Council as promoted by 5 councilors.
News: Mayor steps back, councilor resigns, No NeW TREaSURER
CBC news Ottawa report on dysfunction at RL council
The Group of 5 (J and P Banks, Dunfield, Hutchings, and Carr) have created a toxic environment for anyone who disagrees with them.
AN "INTERESTING" READ - J & P BANKS "DEFENSE"
How we obtained the "defence" & why we are publishing it.
How we obtained the "defence" & why we are publishing it.
How we obtained the "defence" & why we are publishing it.
The facts behind how RLGG obtained the defense document and why its important that you read it.
J. & P. Banks 54 page "defense"
How we obtained the "defence" & why we are publishing it.
How we obtained the "defence" & why we are publishing it.
As authored by husband and wife councilors, Jeff and Paula Banks, what the Integrity Commissioner said had no bearing on his findings.
Another week and more controversy at Rideau Lakes Council - CBC News
Oct 18, 2024 - CBC News Ottawa reports on the most recent conroversy and dysfunction at Rideau Lakes Council.
Ontario ombudsman rebukes RL council on illegal withholding of IC report
Oct. 3 2024 -Rideau Lakes Grassroots Group (RLGG) wishes to thank all of those that sent letters or made phone calls to the Ombudsman and/or to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. In the Ombudsman’s letter it is quite clear that the majority vote, on two occasions, of Rideau Lakes Council to withhold the Integrity Commissioner’s report regarding Councillor Carr, knowingly violated both the Municipal Act and the Township’s by-laws. Those actions by Council, as RLGG has repeatedly said, are unacceptable and that there are no exceptions. RLGG also wishes to thank the staff at the Ombudsman’s office, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP Steve Clark’s office for their advice and assistance in shepherding our efforts through the process to hold Rideau Lakes Council accountable for their actions and that resulted in the letter (click on link below)
Council breaks provincial law and buries report
Sept. 7, 2024 - Despite provincial law obligating Ontario municipalities to make Integrity Commissioner public when made available, spurred by concerns about the report on Councilor Linda Carr, through a motion proposed by Paula Banks and seconded by Jeff Banks, Rideaul Lakes Council has voted to derfer the report from public view indefinitely. While technically not breaking provincial law, most agree this is in contravention of the law's intent. It goes against the transparency that several councillors repeately state they adhere too and promote. Click on link below to voice your concerns with the Ontariio Municipal Affiars Minister.
Retrofit and rebuild township offices in Chantry - NO!
July 27, 2024 -We lay out the case for why the township should not be sinking millions in to retrofit and add onto its municipal office in Chantry and why a new build on free land in Elgin makes much more sense. But no, 5 councilors lead by Jeff and Paula Banks are attempting to ram through their Chantry Plan.
We provide answers to Councilor Paula Banks questions to us
June 3, 2024 -In response to Councilor Paula Banks describing Rideau Lakes Grassroots Group a “hate group” during the council meeting of May 6th 2024, as a delegation, we presented to the MSC council meeting of May 13, 2024 to explain our history, terms of reference, and educate council that we are absolutely not a “hate group” despite her suggestions otherwise. Following our presentation councilor Banks asked some pointed and misinformed questions which we are providing answers to here and to council as correspondence.
Free land offered to township for municipal offices build in Elgin
May 31, 2024 - A land owner has offered 5 acres of prime & suitable land in Elgin for new municipal offices. As a central location, council needs to seriously consider this offer as they weigh the retrofit or likely new build/extension costs of the poorly maintained and located offices in Chantry.
Read the presentation to council that the "group of 5 councollors" didn't want you to hear
May 15 2024 - Through a delegation to the Council meeting of May 13th, we presented to council addressing the statement made by Councilor Paula Banks in the full council meeting of May 6, when she publicly and emphatically called Rideau Lakes Grassroots Group an “Hate Group”. Click on the link provided to see our response that almost wasn’t permitted based on council votes lead by Paula and Jeff Banks.
Blog - By her vote, Sue Dunfield declares open season on citizen input
April 13, 2024 - Scroll down to see our blog on how Sue Dunfield lead the charge in the April council meeting to make it acceptable to call out and swear at citizens who constrictively disagree with a councilors position even after the townships integrity commissioner found such behavior totally unacceptable with the councilor in question agreeing and open to adhering to the proposed consequences.
Blog - Retrofit Chantry offices - Really?
April 1, 2024 - Scroll down to see our latest blog concerning observations on the current poor state of the municipal offices in Chantry and suggestions by the group of 5 on Council as spearheaded by Paula and Jeff Banks, that spending up to $3M (no April fools joke!) to retrofit the facility, is the way to go. We stand to be corrected, but all the evidence and simple common-sense points to this being the wrong approach.
Rideau Lakes 2024 Capital Budget Takeaways - Municipal offices focus
February 17 2024 - Lead by the Group of 5, council dysfunction and toxicity on full display in 2024 budget meeting on capital costs. Read how opportunity was squandered in reaching a consensus in establishing a vision and viable long term financial plan for the township’s offices. Councillor Paula Banks has already claimed she championed developing plans for the existing Chantry offices and identified councilors who voted it down – but this was without a needs analysis and vision for what is needed or a reasonabl time frame to have a report completed by the new facilties manager.
The inability to work as a cohesive council is due to deep polarization within the council and at times obvious personal animosities from Paul and Jeff Banks directed toward other councillors and the Mayor. These are reflected in frequent personal attacks by Paula Banks on Councillor Maxwell and the Mayor on Facebook. Then they are amplified by her vocal & sometimes bully like supporters. She is clearly also heavily influenced by her husband, Councillor Jeff Banks and his very siloed thinking on renovating Chantry as the only way to go based on his “deep construction expertise”. The budget deliberations have left the council more divided than ever. Learn more (4 min ready) by clicking on the link below.
Highlights of the 2024 Rideau Lakes budget discussions on January 29th and 30th.
February 8 2024 - There was 10 ½ hours of talking... there was drama...there were tears! Also assertions made by councillor Jeff Banks that our group needs to be silenced.
Be heard
TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK
Several councillors repeatedly state that they never hear any negative concerns or it's just a small disgruntled group of citizens making noise and being disrespectful.
Email and tell them otherwise.
