DRYDEN – Before the regular council meeting on Monday, June 24, Mayor Jack Harrison issued a press release condemning statements made on social media by Coun. Ritch Noel regarding an Eagle Lake First Nations member who recently passed away.
“Regardless of intent, they do not represent the City of Dryden’s council, nor staff at the municipality,” wrote Harrison.
“I spoke with Chief Wabange of Eagle Lake First Nation yesterday. I expressed council’s sympathies and reconfirmed our commitment to strengthen our relationship with the First Nation. I have reached out to her again today in response to the councillor’s public comments.”
Harrison announced in the release that council will be taking immediate action to repair the damage done by Noel’s comment by putting forth two motions at the next meeting.
During the regular council meeting on Monday, Harrison made good on his promise.
The first motion put forth to council was to have Noel removed from the Working Circle Committee.
Dryden formed the Working Circle committee in 2020 to improve relations between the city and Indigenous peoples.
Harrison said in the meeting: “This is just to remind council that the Working Circle Committee is part of our strategic plan. The Working Circle has been created to recognize and enhance the relationship between the City of Dryden and Indigenous and Metis residents. We have on committee five Indigenous members, which two are present here tonight, as well as five members from staff and council.
“This week, Tuesday, I received a visit from a member from Eagle Lake First Nation to meet in my office and he brought to my attention a post from Council Noel from the Dryden Crime Report in reference to a deceased member from Eagle Lake First Nation.”
As a result of the post and the outcry from responses from members of Eagle Lake First Nation, Harrison said his belief in “Noel’s ability to represent the city on the Working Circle has been severely compromised."
Harrison stated if council decided to keep Noel as a committee member that decision would ignore the hurtful and offensive comments Noel placed on the grieving Eagle Lake family.
He also urged council to vote in favour of the motion - to which Council rescinded the resolution to appoint Noel to the Working Circle.
The motion on the table was to engage with the city’s integrity commissioner to formally review Noel’s conduct and recommend actions to impose if he is found in breach.
Council voted to pass the motion as well.
Harrison pointed out that the action to engage with the integrity commissioner is an important civic process when an accusation of improper use of the municipal code of conduct by a council member is presented by a member of the public.
He believes the investigation is a fair and unbiased way to ensure that the integrity of the municipal office is maintained.
Dougall Media also reached out to Noel for comment after the council proceeding.
Noel declined to comment as the matter will be going before a tribunal and the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario for adjudication.
