Chatham-Kent councillor's pay suspension challenge now before judge
Rhonda Jubenville, New Blue Party of Ontario (Source: New Blue Party of Ontario)
A legal challenge launched by Chatham-Kent councillor Rhonda Jubenville is now before a judge, with a virtual hearing underway this morning.
The Ward 4 councillor is seeking a judicial review of council's decision to suspend her pay for 90 days — the maximum penalty allowed under Ontario's Municipal Act — after the municipality's integrity commissioner found she violated council's code of conduct.
The controversy began in 2023, when Jubenville proposed a motion to limit flag raisings at municipal buildings to only national, provincial and municipal flags.
She brought forward the motion after a local anti-abortion group's flag request was denied, while flags supporting Pride and other causes were permitted.
Council voted the motion down.
In the months that followed, the municipality received multiple complaints about Jubenville's social media activity.
A report by Integrity Commissioner Mary Ellen Bench found that Jubenville used her position to bully and intimidate critics, violating rules around improper use of influence and discreditable conduct.
Among the posts cited in the report:
A Facebook post supporting Norwich Township's ban on Pride flags, with Jubenville writing: 'I wish CK Council felt the same… Good for Norwich! Makes sense to me.'
A post alerting families that teachers in the Lambton Kent District School Board would be attending a workshop 'to prepare for Drag Queen Story Time,' which drew sharp criticism and concerns about misinformation.
A post alleging a Pride flag was flown incorrectly beneath the Canadian flag at a local high school, calling the move disrespectful and encouraging residents to 'let Blenheim High School know your feelings.'
A post referencing another group's 'healing event' related to the flag debate, in which Jubenville wrote: 'FYI… For the trauma I caused them 🙄. The irony is the stress I was caused by vile words and threats... over a motion that had nothing to do with them specifically.'
The commissioner's report also noted that several municipal staff and members of the public felt intimidated by Jubenville's rhetoric and the actions of some of her supporters.
One complainant cited concerns for personal safety, saying, 'My mental health is suffering worrying about what she is going to do next.'
Jubenville's legal team argues that the investigation was procedurally unfair, particularly because the identities of the complainants were not disclosed.
Her lawyer, Michael Alexander, maintains that the integrity commissioner's conclusions lack a solid factual basis and infringe on Jubenville's Charter right to free expression.
A judge will now decide whether the case will proceed to a full judicial review.
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