Coun. Stevenson should face reprimand for posts about homeless, integrity watchdog rules

The City of London's Integrity Commissioner is recommending Coun. Susan Stevenson be formally reprimanded for posting social media photos of recognizable people who appear to be experiencing homelessness, and linking them with violence and vandalism. 

The ruling from lawyer Jeffrey A. Abrams of the firm Principles Integrity found Stevenson's posts showing a group of people on a sidewalk in Old East Village were "unnecessary and insensitive." The photos were posted in September on Stevenson's X account.

One of the photos included the following text: 

NOW let's address the problem. The needles, the feces, the garbage, the encampments, the open drug use, the erratic and violent behaviour, the CRIME, the VANDALISM… the lack of safety

The integrity commissioner ruled that by including text with one of the posts that mentioned "vandalism" and "violence," Stevenson was linking the people in the photo with illegal activity, which he said amounted to "gratuitous editorial commentary."

And while those comments were not directed at any one individual, Abrams ruled they were "unnecessarily provocative, particularly when targeting vulnerable individuals."

"We admonish the Councillor to refrain from such gratuitous provocation," the report says.

The report said the Ward 4 councillor acknowledged she could have done more to obscure the identities of those in the photos. 

"In this regard, she has acknowledged that there is room for improvement in her use of social media," the report said. 

"The posting of the un-blurred photos reflected an invasion of the personal privacy of the individuals involved, and disregarded the impact publication of the photographs could have on the community, and the individuals involved," Abrams wrote. 

'We admonish the councillor'

Abrams found that Stevenson's actions breached sections of the council code of conduct that require councillors to treat members of the public and others "appropriately and without abuse, bullying or intimation." 

"Although not blatantly an act of abuse or bullying, the photos inappropriately infringed the personal privacy of the individuals involved, reflecting a disregard for the impact the post could have on the individuals involved and the homeless community at large," Abrams wrote.

"We admonish the Councillor to exercise greater sensitivity and care — avoiding provocative and gratuitous comments insensitive to the plight of the more vulnerable — in her public comments posted on social media," the report said. 

The report said Stevenson was co-operative and appeared to be receptive to the integrity commissioner's suggestions and guidance. 

Pay suspension possible

In response to the report, city council could vote to impose sanctions on Stevenson including a reprimand — which the report recommends — or a suspension of pay for up to 90 days. 

It's expected the report will be discussed during city council's next meeting on Dec. 19.

The Integrity Commissioner's report was triggered by multiple complaints about Stevenson's posts and public comments about the city's response to homelessness. 

First elected in 2022, Stevenson has frequently challenged how London city council is responding to the city's housing and homelessness crisis.

The report cleared Stevenson of any wrongdoing for another X post, in which she shared an article by U.S. political commentator Michael Smerconish. In that article he suggested shelter beds be provided to anyone who needs one, but that anyone who refused mental illness or addiction counselling be arrested. 

"London could be the first," Stevenson posted on X. 

"We find that the Councillor's re-post of the Smerconish article, although provocative ... should not be interpreted as promoting incarceration of the homeless," Abrams wrote.

Stevenson's response

In an emailed response to a request for comment on Friday night, Stevenson claimed the integrity commissioner failed to comply with the complaint protocol for council code of conduct breaches, but did not address the report's findings themselves.

"[The integrity commissioner] found me in breach of the Code of Conduct prematurely and without due process," her statement read. "There is a defined process for a reason and that process must be followed."

The document that outlines the formal complaint procedure for council members who are believed to be in breach of the code of conduct says the complaint must be outlined to the council member within 10 business days. It also says the councillor must be asked to file a written response within 10 business days.

"The first time I was made aware of an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner was the same time I was informed that they had already found me in breach of the Code of Conduct," she wrote.

Stevenson does acknowledge that she was copied on the initial complaint sent to the commissioner, however she claims that is not sufficient to satisfy the protocol's requirements.

"It is not within the Integrity Commissioner's jurisdiction to selectively apply components of that by-law at their discretion,' she wrote.

CBC News has not been able to independently verify Stevenson's claims.