Whitby Town Council is set to meet for a special session today, Monday, April 20, 2026, to vote on a recommendation to suspend Regional Councillor Chris Leahy for 30 days. The recommendation comes from the town’s Integrity Commissioner, Principles Integrity, following a formal investigation that concluded Leahy twice breached the Council Code of Conduct in his dealings with municipal staff. If approved, the Whitby councillor code suspension will result in a one-month loss of pay for Leahy, marking a significant escalation in what has been described as a “fractious” relationship between the councillor and other members of the current council term.
The findings of the Integrity Commissioner center on two specific incidents from the fall of 2024. The first complaint involves videos Leahy posted to Facebook on October 31 and November 6 regarding traffic speed and pedestrian safety on Dryden Boulevard. According to the ruling, these videos were crafted to “intentionally have the viewer think that mischief was afoot” by staff, ultimately exposing employees to public ridicule and casting doubt on their professional integrity. The second complaint stems from a confrontation at a BIA Christmas Market on November 14, which the Commissioner described as “disrespectful, hostile, and implied intentional misconduct” toward staff members.
Mayor Elizabeth Roy has expressed support for the Whitby councillor code suspension, noting that this is the second time during the current council term that Leahy has been found in violation of the Code of Conduct. Roy emphasized that elected officials are held to a higher standard of professionalism and that the councillor’s actions undermined trust in municipal operations. “Respect for Town staff, professionalism in our conduct, and accountability in our actions are not optional,” Roy stated, linking the incident to the town’s broader “Elect Respect” campaign which challenges toxic behavior in local politics.
Councillor Leahy has defended his actions, maintaining that his videos were a response to a plea from a local father whose daughter was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Dryden Boulevard and Civic Centre Drive. He argued that staff had mistakenly claimed the speed limit was 60 km/h—preventing the installation of a crossing guard—when it was actually posted at 50 km/h. Leahy has encouraged residents to watch the videos on his personal website to judge for themselves, suggesting he was being protective of children rather than disrespectful to staff. However, the Integrity Commissioner refuted this, stating it was “inconceivable” that the posts were not meant to imply staff malfeasance.
The vote scheduled for today is part of a transparent process to address the Whitby councillor code suspension and determine the consequences for the repeated violations. The meeting is expected to be contentious, as it follows a history of legal and procedural disputes between Leahy and the Mayor’s office. As Whitby moves closer to the next municipal election cycle, the outcome of today’s vote will likely serve as a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over political discourse and staff protection within the municipality.
