• Councillor Rick Upton has not resigned after acknowledging his repeated sexual and workplace harassment during a Dec. 3 Council meeting.
  • The Integrity Commissioner’s process and investigation into Upton’s conduct cost the Town roughly $80,000.
  • Council imposed a 90-day pay suspension, restricted Upton to virtual interactions with Town Staff, and limited him to remote participation during meetings.
  • Deputants delivered emotional, forceful statements calling for his resignation.
  • Mayor Lovatt revealed he was the original complainant, filing the report with the victims’ consent, and urged Upton to step down.
  • Upton apologized to the victims, accepted the findings, and said he would remain in office while attempting to rebuild trust.

 

Attending Council’s Dec. 3 meeting remotely, Councillor Rick Upton appeared despondent. His colleagues were set to rule on Integrity Commissioner Susanne Craig’s findings that he repeatedly engaged in sexual and workplace harassment, and a vociferous public had been calling for accountability since the report was made public last Friday.

At Stouffville’s Municipal Offices, a decision was made to not comment on the matter in advance of the meeting. Allowing the formal process to run its course first, Council moved to place Craig’s report at the top of the day’s agenda.

Council Chambers was not full, but tension was palpable. The meeting remained orderly, though residents audibly expressed their disapproval throughout Council’s deliberations. Protest signs were prohibited, with one calling for Upton’s resignation removed following a polite exchange between a deputant and by-law officer.

Multiple officers were visibly present, and overflow seating had been prepared, reflecting expectations of a larger, and potentially rowdier, crowd.

Deputants Weigh In

As procedural rules require, deputations from community members were heard first. Eight individuals spoke to the Integrity Commissioner’s report and directly to Upton, though his camera had remained off since the meeting began.

Julie Weiss, the first deputant, read a victim impact statement from Witness 2. According to the report, Upton repeatedly told the witness “I love you” against her wishes and engaged in inappropriate touching at an event earlier this year. Her statement called for his “immediate resignation,” describing anything less as “inadequate.”

“Your behaviour toward me was unacceptable, and I cannot fathom how you would continue to represent your residents and interact with Town Staff for the remainder of this term,” Weiss read. “I speak today on behalf of my daughters, niece, and all women who deserve a safe workplace and world free from sexual harassment.”

Calls for Upton’s resignation echoed through every deputation, each speaker delivering a strong, direct, and often personal message for the Ward 4 Councillor.

“These women will not begin to heal with your financial penalty, reinforcing what you should already know as appropriate behaviour, or written apologies,” Gerri Sefi said of the Integrity Commissioner’s recommended sanctions, after first noting Upton’s apparent lack of attendance. “Women heal when society stands by them and they see retribution.”

Upton’s camera turned on soon after.

Tamara Carlson, a former Stouffville employee who sued the Town over an alleged failure to create a safe and harassment-free workplace during former Mayor Justin Altmann’s time in office, also addressed Council. She recounted experienced harassment and addressed Upton directly, referencing his outspoken criticisms of Altmann.

“You were constantly waving a flag about our former Mayor and how he was abusing and harassing Town Staff… You stood behind me and everybody in Town’s counsel, through all of the money spent, all of the reports,” she said. “There is nothing that would bother me more than if you do not stand up, put your money where your mouth is, and resign.”

Deputations did not focus on Upton alone. Some speakers called on Council to address a perceived culture that allowed his behaviour to continue unchecked. They highlighted a segment of Craig’s report in which a Councillor reportedly heard comments Upton made to Witness 1—including his expressed desire to sit in her lap and that he could possibly see down her attire—and did not intervene.

Cameron Docherty called on that representative to “self-identify and put forward their own proposal for their own penalty and remediation.”

“This report points to a deeper problem. It suggests that this behaviour may not have been isolated. It suggests that others may have been aware, yet no action was taken,” Noel Kirthiraj said. “I want to make a point directly to Council: stick up for each other on things that matter: ideas, the policies, the debates that shape the community. This is not where you look out for each other. This is not where loyalty belongs.”

Upton Issues Public Apology

Following public deputations, Council heard a presentation from Craig. She summarized her findings and noted that the recommendations “aim to reaffirm the standard of conduct” expected of municipal council members.

“You should be seen as standing firmly against any conduct that disrespects, belittles, or harasses your employees, taking away their dignity and right to be working in a harassment-free environment,” she said. “The women who came forward as witnesses in this complaint investigation demonstrated bravery, courage, and strength, reclaiming their right to work in an environment free from sexual harassment.”

Upton remained mostly stoic throughout the presentations. After finally turning on his remote camera, he appeared to follow each deputation, only diverting his attention to take a drink of water. After a break for Council to deliberate in closed session, he was given an opportunity to publicly address Council and the community.

“I acknowledge, without reservations, that my actions fell far short of the standard of behaviour expected of an elected official,” Upton said. “Such conduct was both inappropriate and completely unacceptable.”

“To Witness 1 and 2, I sincerely and truly apologize for undue strain and discomfort my conduct has caused… I deeply am sorry, and I sincerely apologize,” he added. “My intention was never to cause you anxiety or stress, but I should have recognized that my words and actions would have that impact.”

Upton committed to “meaningful steps” to ensure that he does not repeat the behaviour. “This includes participating in training, which I’ve started,” he said, and “reflecting deeply on the lessons of [the Witnesses’] unfortunate experience.”

“I also recognize that words alone are insufficient to restore the trust that has been seriously damaged. What is most important is my future behaviour,” Upton continued. “I am committed to demonstrating that I have learned from the experience through my future actions. Building confidence will require constant effort, transparency, and accountability.”

His comments drew groans from the audience as they realized he would not be resigning his seat.

“I remain dedicated to serving this community with integrity and respect,” Upton said. “I will strive to earn back the trust that has been lost and serve the community honourably and responsibly.”

Council Has Its Say

“Shame,” a resident said aloud as Upton concluded his remarks. “Wow,” said another. A third attendee asked whether Upton had actually written his own statement.

Members of Council expressed similar unhappiness.

Councillor Maurice Smith spoke first, commending the work of Stouffville’s employees and noting their central role in the Town’s progress. “We need to make the right decision on this important matter today such that the actions of one Councillor do not contaminate that legacy,” he said, adding that Upton had placed Staff in a “very tough position.”

“Someone will have to advise me how we let Staff know that the current situation they have endured is not who your Councillor colleagues are,” Smith added. He asked the Town to explore options for recovering costs from Upton, detailing roughly $80,000 in expenses related to the investigation and integrity commissioner process.

While Smith did not explicitly call for Upton’s resignation, his statement was pointed: “There is simply no room for this in Stouffville… I am therefore asking you to consider what the future holds for you in regard to a role with Staff and your fellow Councillors.”

Like Councillors Keith Acton and Richard Bartley, Councillor Hugo Kroon voiced support for Craig’s recommended sanctions. He also said he would vote in favour of any additional consequences Council might impose, saying “it is the sworn duty of Council to ensure a safe working environment in which all persons are treated with dignity and respect.”

Commending the witnesses’ courage, Councillor Sue Sherban said it takes strength to come forward. “It takes resilience, and often it comes at a personal cost,” she continued. “The decision to speak out is not only brave, it is an act that protects the integrity of our workplace and the dignity of everyone who serves this community.”

“This process was not just a formality. It was transparent, impartial, and professionally rigorous. That matters because trust in our institutions depends on fairness and accountability,” she added, voicing full support for Craig’s recommendations.

“I’m not here to act as judge or jury of a fellow Councillor, for these judgments rely on the process and the Integrity Commissioner’s expertise,” Sherban added. “I will not allow my voice to be used as a political motive or source of weapon in this conversation. My responsibility is to remain principled, fair, and grounded in facts.”

Sherban, the only female Councillor, said leadership is about courage, not comfort. She referenced her 2023 advocacy to have Stouffville Council endorse Bill 5, the Municipal Accountability Act. The bill did not pass, frustrating advocates seeking stronger tools to address behaviours like those exhibited by Upton.

Now known as Bill 9, the Provincial legislation would implement a standardized municipal code of conduct and provide an option for removing members who egregiously violate it. The Province hopes the bill will be in effect when the 2026-2030 council term begins.

In the meantime, the maximum penalty a municipal council can impose on a member found in violation of the Code of Conduct is a 90-day pay suspension, as well as remedial training and some workplace restrictions.

Sherban concluded that the report’s findings are clear and “outline a breach of standards” expected of public servants. “It is incumbent upon my fellow Councillors to reflect deeply on what genuine accountability requires at this moment,” she said.

The Complainant Comes Forward

Mayor Iain Lovatt concluded Council comments, describing Upton’s conduct as “reprehensible.” Directly addressing community concerns about Council’s apparent wilful ignorance, he revealed that he was the complainant who initiated Craig’s investigation.

“As Mayor, I formally filed a complaint, with the victim’s consent, reaffirming our commitment to take every step possible to ensure a safe workplace,” Lovatt said. “These individuals are not merely witnesses, as stated in the report, but they are victims… Their willingness to come forward at all has enabled this necessary action today.”

Lovatt further highlighted Bill 9, noting the limits Council faces under current regulations in imposing penalties. “Ultimately, the decision to step down from his position or not rests with Councillor Upton,” he said. “But given the seriousness and repeated nature of these violations, I need to state on the record that I believe that it is in the best interests of Council, our Staff, and the community at large, for Councillor Upton to step down immediately.”

He expressed being “deeply disappointed” in Upton’s choice not to resign. His remaining in office, Lovatt added, would present “significant challenges to the values and standards that we strive to uphold as a municipality.”

“The trust and safety of our Staff and community are critical, and I feel that the Councillor’s resignation would be a responsible and appropriate step,” the Mayor concluded. “I hope that he will take time to reflect on what he has heard in today’s proceedings… And Councillor Upton, I request your resignation to the Clerk and myself by the end of the day.”

A Final Judgment

Council then moved to address the Integrity Commissioner’s recommended sanctions, initiating the final step in the process. While supporting Craig’s direction, Lovatt proposed a series of amendments to escalate the penalties Upton would face.

Upton was not permitted to vote, and each amendment was unanimously adopted.

A formal reprimand, along with remedial workplace and sexual harassment training, was approved in collaboration with the Town’s Human Resources Director and Chief Administrative Officer. Noting expensive process costs, Lovatt’s amendment also called on Upton to pay for his own training.

Strict limits were imposed on Upton’s interactions with Town Staff and his execution of councillor duties. Moving forward, he will communicate with Staff and attend meetings only remotely. Upton is also being stripped of his deputy mayor title, which was assigned to him while the investigation was underway. The role will be transferred to Councillor Kroon.

When the matter of Upton’s pay suspension came forward, Council initially voted to approve Craig’s recommended 60-day freeze. However, in a procedural allowance, a proposed amendment from Smith was permitted to be considered. It sought to increase the suspension to the maximum 90 days and passed without opposition.

Upton must also provide a written apology to the affected Town employees and deliver a public apology during Council’s first meeting in 2026, which is scheduled for Jan. 21.

 

Bullet Point News spoke with Councillor Upton following the meeting. He decided against commenting further and referred us to his earlier statement.