Spirited debates at council meeting in North Frontenac, ending in a frosty exchange

Jeff Green | Jun 19, 2025

Spirited debate a council meeting in North Frontenac, ending in a frosty exchange

by Jeff Green

In the course of a long agenda, there were a number contentious issues discussed at the regular meeting of North Frontenac Council last Thursday (June 12).

The first matter  came from an unexpected place, the township of Puslinch. Puslinch Township Council passed a motion, in response to a request from B'nai Brith Canada, asking the federal government to ban public displays of Nazi symbols of hate, specifically the swastika (Hakencreuz in German) in Canada.

The Regional Municipality of Durham adopted on the Puslinch motion, and then circulated it to municipalities throughout Ontario for endorsement.

The Durham motion calls on the Government of Canada to “1. Ban the Nazi Hakenkreuz 2. Ban all Nazi symbols of hate and iconography. Durham Region Council agrees that the people of Canada are counting on the federal government to ensure a future free from hate, where every Canadian is protected, valued, and respected; and that a copy of this motion is sent to all Canadian Municipalities.”

While North Frontenac Council spoke out unanimously in opposition to the Nazi regime in response to the Durham motion, and recognised the role that Nazi symbols play in promoting hatred, Councillor Fred Fowler spoke out against endorsing the motion.

He said that “I hate what this stands for as much as anyone else, but one of the things this motion is asking us to do is to take away freedom of speech, and I have a problem with that.”

Councillor Hermer rebutted Fowler's point, saying “it's unacceptable in society for that to be displayed as a public image. It's offensive. It is hare speech.”

At that point, a member of the audience piped in with an angry comment, and Mayor Lichty silenced  the audience member, as only council members can speak during meetings, and only when they are recognised by the chair.

The motion to endorse the motion by the Regional Municipality of Durham was approved by Council. Councillor Fowler did not support the motion.

Housing Task Force

Mayor Lichty brought forward a proposal to set up a task force,  reporting directly to Council, to look at the housing.

This new task force will replace a sub-committee of the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF) that has been looking at housing issues for the last 9 months or so.

Councillor Stephanie Regent, Chair of the EDTF and one of the founding members of the housing sub-committee of the EDTF, asked “why is this replacing a sub-committee that was already looking at housing?”

Mayor Lichty said “First of all, the sub-committee was never recognised by Council and Council has never seen any reports from the sub-committee. This way, housing will have a real profile because the new task force will have the ear of Council, there will be one less barrier to it being effective.”

“Independently of what Gerry is doing, I had come to the same conclusion, that housing needed a higher profile like this in order to be effective, so I welcome this,” said Deputy Mayor John Inglis, who has been a member of housing sub-committee along with Regent and a number of community members.

“I take your point, John,” said Regent, but I just want to register my deepest disappointment that all that work that we have done is being completely removed from the Economic Development Task Force. If it is so important, why wasn't this talked about two and a half years ago? Why now?”

Two council members were appointed to sit on the new task force, along with Mayor Lichty, an ex-officio member,  Councillor Wayne Good and Deputy Mayor Inglis. Councillor Fowler also put his name forward, but lost out in a vote.

Three members of the public will be appointed as well, to fill out the group.

In a recorded vote on the creation of the 6 member task force, 5 members of council voted in favour, and Councillor Regent voted against the motion. Councillor Good was not at the meeting.

Lakelands Family Health Team

Late in the meeting, during the councillor portfolio section, Councillor Regent made a short report, mentioning some upcoming meetings.

After she had finished her report, Mayor Lichty interjected.

“We had asked you to talk to Janice Powell [the Executive Director of Lakelands Family Health Team] about the doctor's status.”

“You will have to clarify your question,” said Stephanie Regent,

“Well, I talked to her,” said Gerry Lichty,

“Ok,” said Regent.

Dr. Weldon came to Lakelands FHT from Wales last year, and is receiving funding from both North Frontenac and Addington Highlands as part of their doctor recruitment initiative,. He has taken a full load of patients at Lakelands. As a non-resident, he must pay a 25% tax if he purchases a home. If his permanent residency status comes through, that tax will not apply. Mayor Lichty said he has been working with MP Reid and MPP Jordan to help rectify the matter. 

“I'm really surprised at your attitude,” said Mayor Lichty to Councillor Regent. “We've got $95,000 invested, Dr. Weldon has 1,500 patients, and we have a doctor who is not happy because he doesn't have his residency card.  And quite frankly, Councillor, you don't seem to have a lot of interest in this.”

“I don't like the insinuation that I don't have any interest in Doctor Weldon's private life. His status card or the nature thereof, which affects whether he is able to purchase property in this township, is really none of our business ... I have nothing to do with that, so why are you asking,” said Regent.

“Just do your job, that's all I'm asking,” said Lichty.

“I would appreciate, some respect,” said Regent,

“Gerry, this is getting personal,” interjected Councillor Roy Huetl”

“Right, the 'do your job'  comment, not appropriate,” said Regent

We will deal with this in closed council, I assure you” said Lichty.

“I would appreciate an apology in public,” said Regent.

“Councillor Regent, you are paid $19,000 a year to do a simple job.”

“Again, not appropriate,” said Regent.

With that, the exchange ended.