A Muskoka Lakes Township councillor is facing a suspension of remuneration and a formal reprimand following an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner.
During tomorrow’s general committee meeting, councillors will receive the results of a Code of Conduct Investigation from Suzanne Craig, Township Integrity Commissioner.
That report indicates Councillor Ruth-Ellen Nishikawa breached multiple sections of the Township of Muskoka Lakes’ Code of Conduct.
The complaint reviewed by Craig alleged that Nishikawa contravened the Code when interacting with a Township employee at a warming centre run from the Torrance Community Centre (the “Torrance Warming Centre”) during the spring ice storm on April 8, 2025.
In the report, the Complainant laid out a number of allegations against Nishikawa, including belittling her for not making coffee and not opening a door, as well as intimidating and yelling at the complainant. She also alleged Nishikawa invaded her space after one exchange.
“The complainant opened the door for (Nishikawa) and (Nishikawa) immediately said: ‘This is our only handicap door, why is it not open?’ Although the respondent was not yelling, she was clearly unhappy,” reads the allegation. “Nishikawa physically pushed by the complainant, and though there was room, nearly bumped the complainant’s chest with her own.”
The complaint alleges Nishikawa questioned why no coffee was made and “scoffed” at the complainant’s response. Nishikawa questioned whether the internet was working and when the complainant advised that it was, responded “we will see about that” and later “well you are saying that it’s working and I’m saying it isn’t”; told the complainant that she had moved the sign for the Torrance Warming Centre – which the complainant had set up – “to where people can actually see it, okay”, emphasizing the work “actually” to imply that where the sign was initially erected and was not correct. The complainant alleged that during these interactions, Nishikawa yelled at the complainant and was visibly angry.
According to the respondent, Nishikawa had significant influence and they became fearful for their position at the Township.
“The Councillor engaged in conduct that insulted, intimidated and bullied me while I was in the workplace. Not to mention that it interfered with my work, causing many interruptions to a meeting with senior staff at the Township,” said the complaint in the report.
The complainant subsequently learned that a similar incident took place at the Torrance Warming Centre with another Township employee the week prior; and the complainant has been told of a shared understanding within the Township that “this is just the way this Councillor is,” according to the report.
Craig interviewed both the complainant and Nishikawa.
Craig said Nishikawa believes the complainant made the complaint because she felt intimidated by Nishikawa saying she would be speaking to the CAO. Nishikawa also believes that the complainant was coached in terms of what to say by others in the Township who have issues with her.
Based on the violations Craig found, she recommended that council impose a formal reprimand, and a suspension of remuneration for a period of 7 days for violations of sections 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5 and 16.8 of the Code.
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At least the office tyrant feels a little sting in the form of losing a week’s salary, unlike the guy in Gravenhurst who punched a taxi driver in the head several times and damaged the taxi with a golf club, with apparently no provocation, other than being woken up at the end of his ride.