Three women arrested in Niagara Falls for protesting city councillor charged with abuse

Niagara police say they “briefly detailed” three women who were protesting the continued presence of Mike Strange, a Niagara Falls city councillor who is facing assault charges at a council meeting Tuesday.

The group, who were arrested but not charged, included St. Catharines regional councilor Haley Bateman, who has been outspoken in her criticism of Strange since news of his assault charges surfaced in May.

The St. Catharines Standard is reporting that the group of women sat in the gallery at Tuesday’s council meeting and held signs over their heads that read “The women of Ontario say no.”

Mayor Jim Diodati and the sergeant at arms both asked them to put the signs down, claiming the display violated the city’s rules around decorum. After the women refused to put down their signs, police were called to what they describe as a “disturbance” within the council chambers.

Officers say they were advised that a small group of people were in violation of City rules. After a “prolonged discussion,” police removed the women from council chambers. They were released unconditionally after the City confirmed they would not be pressing charges.

On May 3, Niagara police officers discovered an injured woman at Strange’s home. He was arrested and charged with assault.

Coun. Strange was released the same day under strict conditions. He has continued to perform his duties as a city councillor.

Under Ontario’s Municipal Act, municipal councillors are not required to give up their seat if they are charged or convicted of a criminal offence. Coun. Haley Bateman is pushing for legislative reform to change this, as she says current legislation leaves too many gaps in accountability.

“I think anybody in his shoes, in these circumstances, thinking logically, and understanding how prevalent domestic violence is, and gender based violence, would take a leave of absence from his role,” said Coun. Bateman. “Nobody would expect that he would lose his pay, but I think it would be the right thing to do and it would send the right message.”

“This is why we have been fighting for this legislation, we don’t want it to be in the hands of city council to make these determinations, it should be an impartial person which should be an integrity commissioner and then an integrity commissioner board to ensure that everybody is accountable,” Coun. Batemen said.

In a letter to Pelham Today published on June 2, Coun. Bateman says she hasn’t seen “a single word from Mayor Jim Diodati about the charges or from any other member of council.”

“It is clear to me that Councillor Strange does not take the charges against him seriously. His actions following his arrest reek of arrogance, entitlement and neglect to residents across Niagara, however post specifically, he continues to show a disregard for women, victims and survivors of intimate partner violence.”

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