FACT CHECK & REALITY ON P. BANKS CBC RADIO INTERVIEW

Well…that was a pleasant surprise… Ms. Denham (see her email below) has every right to speak to the accusations Ms. Banks made in her interview about the video.  It also means that Rideau Lakes Grassroots Group (RLGG) doesn’t have to waste time defending itself on that particular subject as Ms. Denham has done an admirable job.  It does though present an opportunity for RLGG to spend some time calling out a few of other statements made by Ms. Banks.

Ms. Banks stated that the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) approached her about their concerns with Strong Mayor Powers?  It would come as an absolute surprise if that were to have happened. They are the “professionals” in local government. Maybe a member of the AMCTO reached out to Ms. Banks but it is not credible that the leadership of AMCTO reached out to Ms. Banks.

Ms. Banks’ comments that the Mayor “re-released” Integrity Commissioner (IC) data with the intention of negatively affecting a candidate who was running in the Rideau Lakes by-election.  The June 4th Mayoral Directive MDS-2025-01 directs staff to provide the number of IC complaints filed and or dealt with since the start of the term along with the member cited. It says nothing about identifying who filed the complaints or asks for details about the complaints.  Ms. Banks has a tendency to exaggerate but her statement is misleading at best and at worst is an outright lie. (We believe the number of IC reports totaled 17….so far).  

Ms. Banks also stated that the Province had to step in to tell the Mayor he had acted inappropriately when a majority vote increased the punishment to those that turned their backs on a delegation at a Council meeting. Again, a convenient misrepresentation to support her narrative. The province did not engage in this case. The municipal legal advisor was of the opinion that voting council members overstepped their authority in applying increased penalties. When that information came to Council the Mayor apologized for the misunderstanding and the penalty was removed. Even at that, the apology that was recommended by the IC was ignored by some.

It was interesting to hear that Ms. Banks has realized that rescinding SMP is not probable so the meeting she organized off-site during the AMO conference and attended by 20 people is looking instead to influence MPP Steve Clark and Premier Doug Ford. To date the efforts made by Ms. Banks and her group have resulted in receiving legal advice from several lawyers indicating it would be extremely difficult and likely expensive to make a case in court. It wasn’t clear whether she was referring to the Province or the Mayor of Rideau Lakes that she wanted to take to court. There could be a potential obscenely expensive constitutional challenge if all of the municipalities including Rideau Lakes “chip in” allowing that avenue to be pursued. That would also consume municipal budgets intended for both operational and capital requirements. 

Ms. Banks also referred to her attendance at the Rural Democracy Forum in Almonte at which, we are told, she was highly critical of both the Mayor and Rideau Lakes for not discussing Strong Mayor Powers. The forum was planned in advance and the agenda for the day was clear. The intention of the forum focusing on strengthening civic participation and governance. It seems that she was not happy with that forum or with the AMO or with the Provincial government. Well, basically with anyone who does not agree with her position on SMP.

Lastly, Ms. Banks stated she paid the $700 AMO registration. That expense would usually be paid by the Township and we know Council attendees receive reimbursement of expenses. Plus she and the party of 5 voted for a recent increase in both mileage and the stipend for attending conferences. So the question would be….while Ms. Banks was at the conference how much of the time and expense would be attributed to pursuing her current crusade fighting provincial legislation rather than gathering the information, education and engagement necessary to benefit Rideau Lakes Township and its taxpayers?