The independent MPP for Haldimand Norfolk says she won’t be silenced after the local council asked her to not attend a major conference with the municipality later this summer.
At a Haldimand County meeting on Monday, the majority of councillors voted to issue MPP Bobbi-Ann Brady a letter saying she shouldn’t attend the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Conference with them in August.
Brady, the independent member of the provincial parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk, says she’ll still be attending the conference.
“I’ve told them, you can bring motion after motion against me, I will not back down, I will not be silenced,” Brady said.
Haldimand County staff are writing a letter with the council’s requests to the MPP, but there won’t be any consequences if she doesn’t follow them.
Councillors are hoping to get some face-time with ministers and ask for funding at the conference for the AMO and said they fear Brady’s independent party status and tough questions for Premier Doug Ford could hinder their chances.
Ward 1 councillor, Stewart Patterson said, “Unfortunately as the relationship between MPP Brady and the premier has deteriorated, attending the upcoming meetings could have, and I say ‘could have’, negative effects on our upcoming meetings. This motion was moved so that our municipal council keeps our focus on municipal affairs and removes any potential political debates.”
Patterson, who brought forward the motion is referring in part to a heated exchange between the local MPP and Ford in Queen’s Park earlier this year.
Mayor Shelley Anne Bentley voted for Brady to attend. “I believe that elected is elected and the people of Haldimand County and Norfolk voted for who they want to be their representative, and they voted for Bobbi-Anne Brady. I believe that these are provincial delegations and she should be there.”
The county will get a better idea about which ministers they’ll be able to meet with at the conference.
One big ticket item they are asking for is a new water system that would connect Haldimand, Norfolk and Six Nations. They’re asking the province for $132 million from the province.
Councillors who voted for the motion Monday either declined an interview with CHCH News or didn’t respond.