Delegates, Council members weigh in on Sheen comments

September 25, 2025 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Seven delegates spoke in Council Chambers in support Councillor Sheen, all of whom said he should not be reprimanded for comments made at the Council table he contends were related to Strong Mayor powers.

“High school” and “school yard antics” were used by delegates to describe the matter before them.

“I personally see Councillor Sheen’s comments as a vehement defence of staff and their ability to function effectively at the Town of Caledon under the current administration, and I believe that staff’s actions surrounding the Mayor’s Shaws Creek motion demonstrate that point,” said Ward 1 resident Keirstyn Parfitt.

Delegate Debbe Crandall said Councillor Sheen addressed “the elephant in the room” regarding Strong Mayor powers.”

Delegate Joanna Valerian shared that she has seen the Integrity Commissioner Reports “used as a tool to either silence a Council member, make them look bad, or worse, a distraction from the real job, things that matter.”

Concluding her delegation, she shared that “I leave here hopeful, but doubtful, that the vote on this matter will end with anything but the same as the 5-4.”

“The truth is there are many of us thinking exactly what Councillor Sheen said,” said delegate Mira Budd, who suggested this sentiment extended to staff members.

Councillor Lynn Kiernan noted this point and added that she has had similar things shared with her by staff members, “These are real times.”

“We have a fractured council. I feel that the IC is held over our head, my head, as an elected representative, as an intimidation.”

“These tactics of weaponizing a system where in the IC can come out of nowhere when you’ve just tried to do your job is problematic,” said Councillor Kiernan. “Councillor Sheen, I don’t think you did anything wrong. I think you said exactly what the people of the Town of Caledon feel, and what the people of the province of Ontario feel.”

Delegate Cheryl Connors said she believed Councillor Sheen was “doing his job.”

“He raised legitimate, evidence-based concerns about how the new Strong Mayor powers granted by the province may impact transparency, staff independence and public trust in local decision making. He did not single out individual staff for criticism.”

Councillor Nick de Boer moved not to accept any of Boghosian’s recommended penalties. He added that the comments pertained to “concern about the implications of the superpowers.”

“I have tremendous respect for what he does for his community and he has high-level integrity,” said Councillor Christina Early regarding Councillor Sheen. “I’m hoping that my Council colleagues will support Councillor de Boer’s motion, and I’m hoping that we can end this.”

“At no point in time would I suggest that Councillor Sheen did anything with intention. At no point in time do I think that Councillor Sheen does things at times that is trying to hurt people or trying to, but the reality is words have consequences and there’s rules,” said Councillor Mario Russo regarding the motion on the floor.

“It’s not about the intent of why it was said. It was what was said,” he says.

He said that Councillor Sheen had an opportunity to retract the comments and “doubled down.”

Councillor Sheen responded, saying that he was, on one hand, offering an “academic argument about the impact of strong powers on municipalities,” and if he retracted it would have meant he didn’t mean what he said.

“But if you believe that my intention was to harm staff, or say something with malice or directed at individual staff members, then, of course, I should have retracted it. And if I understood that that’s what was being objected to when I was being asked to retract it, of course I would have retracted it. Because I am not here to attack staff.”

Councillor Tony Rosa shared that there were “lessons that need to be learned” regarding the process that night.

“I think that the moment we take our finger and we press the button here, that’s giving us an opportunity to speak, we really need to stop and think about what we say,” said Councillor Rosa.

He shared that he doesn’t feel Councillor Sheen was out to “crucify anybody,” but that there were “staff members who were offended by those comments.”

“We have people that come to work in this building, who try to do the best that they can to serve our community, that weren’t appreciative of the comments that were made. That’s the problem.”

“I’m extremely disappointed that we’ve had to reach out to the Integrity Commissioner over a Code of Conduct violation. To provide some context, the Councillor in question filed a counter-complaint and indicated that they would withdraw if I withdrew mine and the sanctions. That kind of conduct, in my view, undermines the integrity of the process,” said Mayor Groves.

“I sincerely hope this serves as a reminder of the importance of respectful and ethical conduct at all levels of Council.”

“I don’t believe that you intentionally made those comments about our staff,” she added.

For Councillor De Boer’s motion to pass the rules in Section 18 of the Code of Conduct would need to be waved, where the motion was defeated, with Councillors de Boer, Kiernan, and Early voting in favour.

Councillors Rosa, Maskell, Napoli, Russo, and Mayor Groves voted against the measure.

Following this, the Mayor put forward a potential amendment to change the period from 20 to 15 days.

Yet again, Section 18 would have to be waived for the amendment to proceed, now with reconsideration, as it had failed on the floor regarding Councillor de Boer’s motion.

Councillors Rosa, Maskell, Napoli, Russo, and Mayor Groves voted for the waving of the management as well as the amendment.

Councillors de Boer, Kiernan, and Early opposed both.

The motion for a 15-day extension was carried, and it was at this time that Councillor Sheen asked that the withheld salary be directed to a charity of his choice.

His charity, Kids Help Phone, is an organization he once worked for many years.

“I am especially grateful to the seven residents who took the time to delegate at the meeting,” says Councillor Sheen.

He shared that they raised thoughtful points “not only about the Strong Mayor powers but also about the Integrity Commissioner’s reports and the shortcomings they saw in the accountability process itself.”

“Their words were well-considered, articulate, and powerful. That kind of civic engagement is exactly what strengthens our community, and it reminds me why I’m proud to serve as an elected official in Caledon. Their contributions have reaffirmed my commitment to ensuring residents’ voices remain front and centre at Council,” says Councillor Sheen