Kenora’s mayor is fighting back against an increase in disrespectful comments on social media directed at city administration and city councillors.
Andrew Poirier says there seems to be a lack of decorum right across Canada, and Kenora isn’t immune.
“When I’ve reached out to other colleagues, and I’ve even talked to some MPP’s last week, they said things are getting off the rails now, it’s just getting so bad,” Poirier remarked to council recently.
“It’s getting bad for everybody. It doesn’t make it right.”
Poirier adds the city will not tolerate harassment or attacks on anyone’s personal integrity.
“I’m not going to be politically correct anymore. If they are not going to show respect to people, or at least disagree and have a solution, you know what, I think it’s time elected officials start fighting back on people like that.”
Last week, councillor Kelsie Van Belleghem asked for a leave of absence, in part because of the nasty comments she was getting on social media.
She did not attend either the Police Service Board meeting or the final open meeting of council for 2024 on Tuesday.
