Councillors taking a stand on Chiarelli, the only way they can

It was a protest unprecedented at Ottawa city hall.

It didn't come from activists they were there in the council chamber, too but from citycouncillors who stood leaning over their chair backs, their laptops perched atop overturned recycling bins as they attended to Wednesday's hefty council agenda, which includedapproving a multi-billion-dollar budget.

They stayed standing, some for hours, because their colleague,Coun. Rick Chiarelli, was at the table, too.

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When Chiarellilast attended councilon Nov. 6 his first appearance since CBC reported allegations of his inappropriate behaviour and comments toward former staff members and job applicants Coun. Jenna Sudds stood the whole meeting.

It was only later that anyone realized she'd been acting in solidarity with the women who had come forward to complain about Chiarelli's alleged behaviour, which included driving a staffer to a Gatineau strip clubto "spy" on another councillor, and asking women to go braless to a work event.Chiarelli has denied all the allegations.

This week, most of Sudds's council colleagues joined her.

Uncharted territory

Wednesday's silent protest spoke volumes.

There's never been an instance when Ottawa city councillors have so publicly, so uniformly, displayedtheir discontent with a colleague. Then again, councillorshave been in uncharted territory from the moment the Chiarelli allegations surfaced and they were left to deal with the fallout.

Rick Chiarelli at city hall sparks protests from residents and councillors

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Over a dozen residents wearing #ResignRick t-shirts and most city councillors remained standing at city hall Wednesday in protest of Coun. Rick Chiarelli's presence at council.

In October, they were faced with his request for an indefinite leave of absence, which came after CBC's extensive reporting of the allegations against him, including from three named former staff members.

Council made the unusual decision to deny Chiarelli leave, despite a doctor's note advising the councillor should be off until Dec. 1. (Technically, councillors don'tdenya colleague medical leave they only decidewhether to grant an exemption to the provincial rule that states a councillor must show up to a council meeting at least once every three months.)

It was likely an awkward position for councillors, whoweren't supposed to take news reports about the allegations against Chiarelli into account when they made their decision.

On Wednesday, councillors found themselves in another tricky spot.

They didn't want to act as if Chiarelli's presence was business as usual, or somehow indicate a willingnessto endurehis alleged behaviour, but they also had to be careful not to imply he's guilty without due process.

Some spoke with the city clerk, who advised individual councillors to make sure they appeared "neutral" about the allegations, so as not toappear to be influencing integrity commissioner Robert Marleau's investigation of a number of formal complaints against the councillor.

Coun. Theresa Kavanagh took thatadvice to heartand decided against standing with her colleagues, exposing her to so much criticism on social mediathat she later issued a statement explaining her reasons.

Treading a fine line

Mayor Jim Watson also sat, but later said it was because he has too many documents to handle during a meeting to do the job standing. In French, he later said he'd been "standing in spirit."

The rest ofcouncilfelt the "stand-in" allowed themto register their support for the women who have come forward CBChas corroborated the allegations of 13 women, and reported the experiences of eight and show Chiarelli they'reunhappy with the whole situation, all without having to explicitly say anything aboutthe veracity of the allegations.

As Coun. Mathieu Fleury put it,"We don't have the right tools to address the situation, but the stand-inspeaks tohow uncomfortable we are."

What the right "tools" are to deal with such alleged behaviour is unclear. The integrity commissioner's investigation which is completely independent of council seems like a good place to start. Neither council nor the city has the power to dismiss a councillor, and rightly so.

But there's nothing to stop councillors from expressing how they feel, even if taking a stand could potentially be interpreted as exerting moral pressure on Chiarelli to resign.

Chiarellistaying

In fact, Chiarelli has shown no signs of going anywhere.

In a statement issued in October, he denied having harassed anyone or treatingthem in an "inappropriate 'gender-based' fashion." He blamed the allegations on a political conspiracy and "mob mentality" on the part of his accusers.

On Wednesday he reiterated his plan to challenge the integrity commissioner's authority to investigate the allegations against him a process Chiarelli told reporters on Wednesday will be officially launched in the next few days.

Although he has said he's unwell, Chiarellialso said he hopes to start doing more constituency work.That's likely welcome news for College ward residents, becauseChiarelliwill no longer be getting help from any of his colleagues.

On Wednesday, council unanimously approved a motion to relieveCoun. Scott Moffatt and Allan Hubleyof their duties helping College ward residents while their councillor is away.

"The last couple of weeks it's become evident to me just through emails and through interactions with his office that Coun.Chiarellihas been working,"Moffatttold reporters. "It's pretty clear that he's been able to respond toemails, be able to go to community events and come to the office."

Coun. Stephen Blaissaid he stood for the entire time Chiarelli was at the meeting because he "thought it was a very respectful way to show that we're all concerned about the way this [has]all happened."

Blais sharesMoffatt's view thatChiarellimust decide if he wants to remain on council, "but he can't have one foot inand one foot out."

It should soon become evident whether Chiarelli really is willing and able to resume his duties, but for now, the College ward councillorremains standing.