Integrity Commissioner recommends Amherstburg committee member lose role over offensive language

The integrity commissioner in Amherstburg is recommending a committee member be removed from their position for allegedly speaking derogatorily towards a staff

The Integrity Commissioner overseeing Amherstburg has recommended a town committee member no longer serve in his role after allegedly using derogatory language to describe a staff member.

A report from Principles Integrity, headed to town council on Monday evening, details “disparaging” comments allegedly made by a member of the town’s Licensing Committee about Amherstburg Chief Administrative Officer Valerie Critchley.

It’s alleged the committee member, while speaking to a town staff member, described the CAO as a “f***ing b****”.

Principles Integrity has recommended the individual voluntarily resign from their role, and if they refuse, council revoke their appointment to the committee.

“The respondent’s behaviour, his complete failure to even make contact with the CAO, even though he was comfortable bad-mouthing her to her staff at a public event in front ofother residents, speaks to a mindset, an attitude, and a temperament that is not besuitable for a citizen appointed to serve on a tribunal,” the report states.

In an interview with CTV News, Chris Gibb, Amherstburg’s deputy mayor, said it’s his understanding this marks the integrity commissioners lone report during this term of council.

Gibb said he was unsure whether the committee member had already resigned from the role.

When asked about whether he would be in favour of removing the committee member, the deputy mayor said he would be open to what other councillors have to say.

“You’re dealing with incredibly misogynistic behavior. That language is targeted at women,” Gibb said.

As an appointed committee member, Gibb said there’s a “higher bar” set compared to the average resident. As part of a board appointed by council, members are bound by the town’s Code of Conduct.

“We did have to send the message that if you represent the municipality, there is a certain expectation in your behavior,” Gibb said.

“When you see this behavior, you have to say, this is not acceptable.”

The incident

According to the report, the committee member allegedly approached a female town staff member at an Oct. 9, 2025, open house at the Libro Credit Union Centre to share concerns about municipal operations.

The report states “his voice escalated” and the individual “became agitated” over a perceived lack of transparency by the municipality, and specifically Critchley.

“As the respondent became agitated and angry, he started using inappropriate and derogatory language towards the CAO, calling her a “f***ing [b****],” the report reads.

The female staff member later reported the incident to her superior, the CAO. The next day, the report states, the individual left a voicemail, apologizing, “if I took it too far.”

Findings mention video surveillance recordings of the incident, claims the individual has never actually met with the CAO, and that the individual has “not specifically denied” the incident.

In addressing concerns about the level of transparency at town hall, Principles Integrity noted Amherstburg has adequate measures to ensure transparency and public engagement.

At an Oct. 28 meeting, council voted to refer the matter to the integrity commissioner. At the same meeting, a motion to remove the committee member from their role failed, with several councillors members stating they wanted the Integrity Commissioners’ report first.