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
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.