West Lincoln mayor removed from COVID-19 committee after speaking at anti-lockdown protest

The mayor of West Lincoln, Ont., has been removed from the committee leading the Ontario township's COVID-19 response after he spoke at an anti-lockdown protest over the weekend.

Dave Bylsma was voted off the emergency operations committee (EOC) after appearing as a guest speaker at a St. Catharines protest on Saturday, said Coun. Cheryl Ganann.

"It was felt that after the weekend protest ... it was no longer appropriate for him to be the face of what we're doing in terms of keeping our residents safe, keeping them healthy and keeping them well during this COVID time," Ganann said.

"The choice was to do something that was a public display of the fact that we, the rest of council, do not feel his views are the views of the rest of council."

'Action' needed against lockdowns: mayor 

Reached by phone Tuesday, Bylsma did not deny taking part in the protest in violation of the province's stay-at-home order or that he didn't wear a mask despite being part of a large crowd.

"I'm taking my licks for this," he said regarding council's EOC decision, by a 5-2 vote, and criticism from area politicians. He called it "a respectful difference of opinion."

Bylsma said he felt "action" was needed to protest lockdowns, and he took part because he wanted to raise concerns about mental health and the impact on small businesses.

"I'll be judged for my actions, but I think it provided an encouragement for people."

Councillor says protest an 'abuse' of privilege

Coun. William Reilly, who represents Ward 3 with Ganann, said Bylsma's presence on the EOC was a conflict of interest, and council's decision doesn't infringe on Bylsma's rights and freedoms.

"I firmly believe that if the mayor wishes to be the face of the anti-lockdown movement, then he should resign his seat on council as mayor and pursue his new aspiration," Reilly said in an email.

"I do not believe it's appropriate for any member of council to abuse their seat or privilege as it's our responsibility as municipal representatives to ensure we are conforming the provincial mandate and laws to our community."

The Niagara Region has seen 11,127 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. As of Thursday, 377 people who tested positive have died.

Hospital president calls rally 'discouraging'

Lynn Guerriero, president of Niagara Health, released a statement Monday urging people to follow public health measures.

In less than two weeks, the number of people with COVID-19 being cared for in hospital jumped from 11 to 39, she said. The patients are younger and variants of concern are leading to increasing transmission, added Guerriero

"The rally over the weekend, where hundreds were blatantly not following public health measures, was extremely discouraging for our dedicated health-care teams and undoubtedly other essential workers who have been working full out to serve, and care for, our community for more than a year now."

Bylsma said any death is tragic, but despite hundreds with COVID-19 dying in Niagara, officials should also consider other factors.

"When we weigh in mental and social health and economic health against the deaths that are occurring currently, I think we can come up with a better plan."

Videos of the protest show large crowds walking down the street and chanting "freedom" and "no more lockdowns."

A spokesperson for Niagara police, who were at the protest, said officers are investigating with bylaw officials, and charges are pending.

Bylsma said Tuesday he has not been contacted by police.

'Deeply troubled'

Following the protest, the mayor of St. Catharines said he was "deeply troubled" by the presence of a fellow Niagara regional councillor.

"The fact that he blatantly broke the provincial government's stay-at-home order is a serious breach of his elected position and I trust the [police] and public health will act accordingly," Walter Sendzik said in a statement.

Jim Bradley, regional chair, also said he was "deeply troubled and disappointed" that Bylsma took part.

Bylsma "deliberately ignored the ongoing state of emergency that he himself declared as one of Niagara's mayors," Bradley said in a statement.

"It is particularly distressing to have a member of regional council openly flout the law, thereby setting a poor and unfortunate example for those we represent."

Ganann said Bylsma "can't be removed as mayor."

"Obviously there's nothing in the Municipal Act that allows for that," the councillor said.

"But what we can do is make sure that our residents trust the decisions, and the things that are coming out from our emergency team in terms of dealing with health, that we're certainly not being affected by the direction Mayor Bylsma wants to take it."