Dryden Council has struck down a motion calling for the resignation of local Senator Lynn Beyak.
The resolution was defeated 5-2 at a virtual Council meeting Monday.
Shayne MacKinnon brought forward the three page resolution, citing disrespectful, divisive and unacceptable comments.
“I find myself repeatedly offended by the conduct of Senator Lynn Beyak and feel a strong sense of duty in brining this resolution forward.”
MacKinnon says “Her prolonged belief that her public opinion on Residential Schools was not hateful or hurtful. Her refusal to remove racist letters from her website, even after being removed from Caucus. Being suspended and facing further sanctions.”
MacKinnon went on to say “The fact that the Senator reports herself to be a voice for our community and has publically stated that no racism exists in our region, is not only false, but flies in the face of the Truth and Reconciliation report. Many of us on Council are life-long residents of this community and have witnessed systemic as well as targeted acts of racism. But now I am proud to say that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in our efforts to reverse those acts and fight racism in Dryden. We have committed to a strategic priority which states ‘Continue to foster positive relationships with Indigenous peoples and neighbouring First Nations communities.'”
Dave McKay also supported the motion.
“Those of us who undertake elected office or are political appointees must understand that our words and actions have impact. I feel as a Councillor we have an obligation and a responsibility to ensure all people feel welcome and safe in our community.”
All on Council stressed the comments and opinions of Senator Beyak don’t reflect their beliefs.
However, Martin MacKinnon, Norm Bush and Mayor Greg Wilson all abstained from the vote.
Bush says “This motion has no place at the Municipal Council table. No way, shape or form is this City business and just because Councillor MacKinnon and Councillor McKay want to make it City business and say it should be, doesn’t make it so. Any code of conduct or ethical issues surrounding a Canadian Senator is clearly a Federal government and Canadian Senate issue.”
He notes there are many more important issues to deal with as a Council in our community.
Martin MacKinnon says “I believe that this is a Federal government issue and should be dealt with by the Federal government. If there way of dealing with it is weak, that’s their problem, they should be fixing the problems they have at their level. I’ll go as far as to say that the Senate has become archaic and should move on too.”
Mayor Wilson says “It wouldn’t really accomplish anything and it’s kind of above my pay grade. This is really a Federal issue and I prefer to focus on the affairs of the City rather than discuss these politically divisive matters that really shouldn’t be in our municipal court here.”
John Carlucci and Michelle Price voted against the motion.
Carlucci says “The Senate Ethics Committee has started the process in regards to Senator Beyak and that process that they have put in place must be respected and it must go forward to whatever outcome. I as a Councillor have no control over that outcome.”
Price stresses “Her (Beyak) words are not the voice of this community. She is not a Councillor of the City of Dryden. Therefore does not represent the voice of the City of Dryden. For myself I will continue to concentrate on making our community a better place to live in and to raise a family for all people.”
Senator Lynn Beak has since publically apologized for her comments.
In early 2020, the Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators again recommended that Senator Beyak be suspended without pay for the remainder of the parliamentary session.
