CHAPLEAU EXPRESS
Local News Weekly
705 - 864 - 2785
Free to Every Household
Vol. 28, Issue 48, August 22, 2024
705 - 864 - 0911
Algoma-Manitoulin Riding Association Calls on MPP Mantha to be Accountable to his Constituents and Resign Lynn Dee Eason, President Algoma-Manitoulin ONDP Riding Association year-and-a-half ago, Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, was removed from the ONDP Caucus as an independent, confidential investigation into "workplace misconduct" was undertaken. While details were sparse at the time, he was alleged to have been in contravention of the party's harassment, violence, and discrimination policy. Our anti-harassment statement is read and recommitted to at every ONDP gathering. While upon conclusion of the investigation Mantha's removal from the ONDP Caucus was made permanent, the allegations against him remained confidential, until now. With the release of a staff grievance award on Friday, August 9, 2024, details of the investigation were
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made public for the first time. Arbitrator Jasbir Parmar reviewed the independent investigator report based on submitted material - from both parties - including witness testimony, email, texts, and video, which concluded “that allegations of workplace harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination on the basis of sex, abuse of authority and creation of a toxic workplace, had all been substantiated.” Despite this, Mantha seems intent on serving out this term and running as an independent candidate in the next provincial election. On August 12, 2024, he issued a statement stating that "it is time to move past this matter", and that he "disagrees with some of the characterizations made". However, there does not seem to be any dispute that he engaged in grossly inappropriate behaviour toward an employee in contravention of not only our ONDP's anti-harassment policy,
but even the most basic anti-harassment policy of any workplace. The Algoma-Manitoulin NDP Riding Association expresses our profound disappointment in Mantha's unethical personal and professional behaviour. Algoma-Manitoulin deserves the integrity we voted for. Mantha, who claims he respects us, has not shown this for the survivor of his harassment, nor for the constituents who elected him, and has stonewalled his way through this investigation. For two years, he has taken no accountability for his actions, claiming to be “baffled” by the allegations. We call on Mr. Mantha to take full responsibility for his actions and resign immediately from the position of Member of Provincial Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin. Our thoughts remain with the survivor.
Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) supports Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM) and Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) to Back 'Solve the Crisis' Campaign to Address Homelessness and Support Vulnerable Populations
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he Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (N O L U M), representing Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Thunder Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie, have united in support of Ontario's Big City Mayors' (OBCM) 'Solve the Crisis' campaign, calling for immediate Long Term and decisive action from Forecast t h e Government of Thursday Ontario to address the High 24 Low 9 escalating homelessness crisis. Municipalities Friday High 24 across the North are Low 15 struggling to manage the impacts of homelessness Saturday High Low
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Sunday High 27 Low 15 Monday High 28 Low 16 Tuesday High 28 Low 15
without adequate support from higher levels of government. NOSDA members are made up of the 10 District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSAB) and the City of Greater Sudbury who provide human services to the 144 municipalities in Northern Ontario. NOSDA members are on the frontlines working with local community groups, social services agencies, non-profits, emergency services and municipalities to address the homelessness crisis. The humanitarian crisis unfolding on Ontario's streets is a stark reality: unprecedented numbers of individuals are experiencing homelessness, residing in unsafe encampments,
and grappling with severe mental health and addiction issues. Despite the efforts of municipalities, N O S D A members and community organizations, the crisis is worsening, and existing measures are proving insufficient. "We cannot tackle this crisis alone," said Michelle Boileau NOSDA Chair and Mayor of Timmins. "The complexity and scale of the issue require a coordinated, well-resourced response that goes beyond the capabilities of individual municipalities. The 'Solve the Crisis' campaign outlines clear, actionable steps that can drive meaningful change." Cont’d on P.2
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