Sudbury city councillor has pay docked for conduct
Tempers flared in Tuesday's Sudbury city council meeting during a long, heated discussion over the behaviour of one its councillors.
The group was asked to take a look at the behaviour of one of its own, Ward 2's Michael Vagnini, after the issue had been previously deferred.
Discussion about some of Vagnini's conduct went on for more than an hour and a half and ended with his pay being suspended for 40 days, as recommended in a report by the city's integrity commissioner Robert Swayze.
Most notably about the vulgar language he allegedly used with the deputy fire chief Jesse Oshell.
Vagnini did accept responsibility for it and apologized, but disputed some of the other facts.
He even brought famed Toronto lawyer Michael Lacy in to lay out some of his arguments.
Council considered alternative punishments, including a reprimand proposed by Ward 10 councillor Fern Cormier.
The reprimand was voted down 9-3.
"As unfortunate as it was, I did feel there was perhaps a compromise position to send the message to our colleague with respect to the behaviour that we found less than appropriate, but not go the full 40 day pay suspension on it," Cormier said in an interview.
"You know, council's fully aware of just the ongoing situation and all the information, so," Mayor Brian Bigger told CTV News.
"I think it was a fair process and I guess I'll leave it at that."
Council spent the rest of the meeting listening to Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) and Freshwater Production Studios discuss about a film and television studio project they are trying to build on the Kingsway.
Artists rendering of new Sudbury film studio development Freshwater Production Studios (Supplied)
Council has directed city staff to come back with a report on how the city can best help.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.