Another dramatic chapter at City Hall has moved a step further down the road – and Peterborough’s mayor is once again in the crosshairs.
Integrity Commissioner Guy Giorno has released a report on two situations that were investigated separately.
A total of eight complaints were filed following the April 2nd, 2024 General Committee meeting in which it was alleged Jeff Leal made a threat towards Councillor Alex Bierk and also took part in decision-making on the Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment when he was ‘not impartial’. Another five complaints were made following Leal’s public apology on April 8th.
In terms of him having conflict-of-interest in participating in the Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment debate, Giorno found the Mayor did not contravene section 29 of the Code because decision making on Bonnerworth Park did not involve a private advantage of him or his wife. Giorno said in his report “the argument that the Mayor could not take part in the decision on Bonnerworth Park is as flawed as an argument that swimmers cannot participate in decisions on pools and hockey players cannot vote on ice pads.”
The perceived threat was connected to certain comments to Councillor Bierk, including a statement that the Mayor would ‘carve Councillor Bierk like a Thanksgiving turkey’ and that he’d ‘regret’ having said that. This was triggered by the mentioning of Leal’s wife during discussion. The report states the Mayor’s “turkey” comment was a figurative expression that was not meant or reasonably interpreted as a threat of violence or physical harm. However, consequently, the Mayor’s “regret” and “turkey” together constituted intimidation according to the ordinary meaning of the word and as used in section 10 of the Code.
The second investigation centred on a complaint filed by Councillor Joy Lachica alleging that the Mayor bullied and intimidated her, out of view of the public, following the April 2nd General Committee meeting. The report found “the incident in the corridor occurred in the context of a power imbalance that is a hallmark of bullying. The Mayor is more powerful than a Councillor. In a strictly legal sense, this has been the case since October 31st, 2023, when Ontario Regulation 331/23 added Peterborough to the list of municipalities subject to strong mayor powers. The Mayor’s powers include the direct appointment of the chairs and vice-chairs of committees.”
As a conclusion, Giorno found the Mayor contravened section 10 the Code of Conduct in relation to Councillor Bierk and, separately, in relation to Councillor Lachica.
What happens now? The decision on the penalty belongs entirely to the Council. In the event of a contravention, the Council may choose to do nothing, or it may impose one of two penalties (but not both): reprimand, or pay suspension (up to 90 days).
Following the release of the report, Mayor Jeff Leal made this statement:
I acknowledge that the Integrity Commissioner has completed his report, and I will accept Council’s decision on this matter.
I appreciate that his report fully exonerates me of the most egregious and false conflict-of-interest allegations that my family and I have been subjected to over the last year.
I acknowledge his findings related to my interactions with Councillors Bierk and Lachica on the nights of April 2 and April 8, 2024. My comments were made in the heat of the moment, during the most hostile meeting environments I have experienced in all my years of public service. I regret my comments, and I apologized to both Councillors last year.
I will recuse myself from the Chamber when my colleagues discuss the Integrity Commissioner’s report, and will accept their recommendations.
I have been working in partnership with all members of Peterborough City Council, and will continue to do so for the benefit of our community.
