RECAP Accessibility Committee Meeting February 26, 2026

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My defamation lawsuit against the town clerk and town of Amherstburg followed my January 2022 critique of the draft multi-year accessibility plan.

Some of my answers to the multi-year accessibility plan survey questions that I completed in January 2026 are missing from the documents and verbal report on the survey findings.

Memorable Meanderings:

Shirley Prue said she’s intrigued about the federal standards; “took only 20 years but there you go.”

(As I keep pointing out, Mayor Prue stood up in the provincial legislature just over 20 years ago to vote in favour of the AODA. In 2025, he said this town has not been compliant). 

Tony Pietrangelo asked, “where are the definitions as to what a public space is and a private space is? Where is that definition? Is there a standard that’s put out by the Government of Ontario?”

(The Design of Public Spaces Standards under the AODA were enacted on January 1, 2013). 

Centennial Park redevelopment

Council already approved option 1 at its February 23 meeting so Heidi Baillargeon presented a recap on zoom:

  • consultations with the tennis club, sports organizations, and North Star High School. (no mention of mandatory consultation with people with disabilities).
  • two dedicated tennis courts and two basketball courts, with one set of tennis courts fully fenced and the other non-fenced.
  • A multi-use trail, accessible parking spaces, and tree planting are also part of the design, with a focus on maintaining Russell Renaud Hill.
  • The design includes rest stations every 100 meters, with some as close as 50 meters apart, and connections to accessible parking spots near the tennis and basketball courts.

Baillargeon mentioned the intention is to start the build in the winter for a spring completion.

Tony Pietrangelo gave Baillargeon his blessings and asked if the parking lot would be paved. Baillargeon explained only the accessible parking spaces would be paved – the rest will remain gravel.

(So, a million dollars for courts and yet another walking trail but people with disabilities will still encounter barriers trying to navigate through a parking lot. Priorities).

Pietrangelo asked what was budgeted for the project. Councillor Donald McArthur said it was just over a million.

Chris Drew said, I think you guys did a fantastic job. He mentioned some criticism about the trail system, but he thought the people in the area need that. He said a lot of them don’t have any way to get out to the Libro and they don’t have a way to get to the green away trails. 

(The criticism I saw was related to the fact that over a million dollars is being spent on another amenity like a walking trail while infrastructure is crumbling, there are sidewalks to walk on, and sidewalks and roads are in desperate need of repair).

Baillargeon provided more details. The trail length is around 800 meters in total, 2.4 metres wide. Bench station spacing is an average maximum of 100 but the average spacing in this design here is around 75. We have 10 benches in total around the trail, with a cross slope is 2% on the trail. So that’s 2.5 inches in 10 feet. The parking spaces: four type A parking spaces 3.4 metres wide for a van, ten Type B parking spaces 2.4 metres wide for a car with a 1.5 metre wide shared aisle between the spaces.

Prue said we always think about, how do we get onto the trail if we’re in a chair.

(Maybe Prue should spend more time thinking about all the barriers in town that prevent people with disabilities from equally participating. Mayor Prue, her husband, did say in 2025 this town has not been compliant. That’s right – the town failed to meet the January 1, 2025 AODA deadline).

Accessible On-Street Parking Space

Prue said okay, 7.2 accessible on street parking space. What’s that one about?

(The agenda description is an aerial of Briar Ridge. The committee discussed this at the January 22 meeting: create an accessible on-street parking space at Briar Ridge Park, for approximately $500 for paint and signage and conduct public consultations for on street parking. This was to be one of the highlighted projects during National AccessAbility Week).

The committee was advised that the traffic by-law would need to be amended to have parking only on one side.

There seemed to be some confusion about where people would park and if they would be exiting their vehicle onto grass.

Multi-Year Accessibility Draft Plan and Survey Results

Prue said, okay, moving on to 7.3, which is the multi-year Accessibility Plan, draft. What you got?

(Just like her husband, she hands items over to staff. The meetings are for members to discuss items; staff should only be called on for clarification).

Admin said at a high level, the survey was successful in promoting some discourse in the community. 

(I wonder how success was measured. I saw percentages, one document with pie charts and another document with bar graphs. It was later revealed that 17 people participated. Given the approximate 6400 Amherstburg residents with disabilities, that’s a poor result in my opinion).

Admin continued – if results indicate there’s some dissatisfaction there may be further need to refine and focus on those areas to understand what those concerns are. 

(There was plenty of time to refine questions because the multi-year plan wasn’t due until December 2026).

Admin said responses were received from a variety of individuals, including people with disabilities and caregivers, although no breakdown was given.

(There should’ve been a breakdown given because the question was, ‘Do you wish to identify as… a person with a disability. The percentages indicate eight people identified as a person with a disability).

Admin then reviewed the survey questions and answers. 

(Not all the answers; I noticed some of mine were missing).

Do the Town parks, including multi-use paths and trails, playground structures, and other amenities, meet your accessibility needs?

Admin said generally, they seem to be meeting the need for a vast majority of the respondents (11 people) but 25% (4 people) said no. 

Admin said now that they know, they can use that to guide some of the focus of further inquiry on the plan. 

(The questions should’ve been more comprehensive now. Again, there was plenty of time to refine questions because the multi-year plan wasn’t due until December 2026).

Have you encountered barriers at any Town parks, trails, or amenities?

38% (7 people) said yes.

One survey document does not list the barriers.

Another survey document lists top barriers:  

  • Parking
  • Pathways
  • Rest areas

Admin echoed the barriers that were identified were parking, pathways and rest areas. And, since the committee just discussed those items in Centennial Park, the conclusion was, ‘it seems like the committee is focused on the right things in that regard. And what we’re hearing from the respondent survey is that that’s where the attention should lie.’ 

(Should the focus really be based on seven responses?).

Does town recreation programming meet your accessible needs?

Once again, admin said that’s where more refined questions around what sort of programming is missing out. Admin mentioned sledge hockey and the Miracle League.

Do the town sidewalks meet your accessibility needs?

About 24% (4 people) said no. Reasons: the age and design of the infrastructure or maintenance standards. 

Do the transportation options available in Town meet your accessibility needs?

The question about what would enhance the accessibility of transportation options within the Town wasn’t reported on or included in the reports. Again, admin mentioned further future questions to find out more.

A couple of questions about customer service: 12% (2 people) used the accessible customer service kiosk in the past year; of those that use them, 100% (2 people) said that they did meet their accessible needs. Admin said that’s a significant finding, it indicates that the kiosks are currently meeting the need. 

(The kiosks are currently meeting the need of two people; that’s not a significant finding or indication that it’s accessible to the disability community).

How do you access information shared by the Town?

76% (13 people) use the town website, 76% (13 people) use the town social media, and 53% (9 people) word of mouth. 

Pietrangelo asked how many people took the survey.

Admin said 130 people interacted with the talk the burg site, 61 accessed the areas that have the survey, only 17 of them completed the survey.

Pietrangelo emphasized the difference between percentages and real numbers. He wondered why they don’t get more people participating, especially under 18 years old. 

Admin said if a barrier affects one person, they have that same standard to meet it. 

(But the number one complaint in the residents’ OpenAir survey is accessibility and nno meaningful action was taken).

Pietrangelo asked who designed the questions and was told the communications team.

Drew said one thing that bothers him is these open houses are made available, surveys are made available, and people sit at home and don’t bother to do anything, but then they come out of the woodwork later with all kinds of stuff, like the Centennial Park. People are coming out saying, oh, they should be putting a swimming pool in, they should be doing putting a splash pad in, they should be doing this, they should be doing that; they don’t need the walking trails and stuff like that. Where were they when we had these open houses and the surveys for them?

(Drew also complained on my facebook page, saying most people are too lazy or don’t care).

Instead of blaming or shaming, the committee should’ve reviewed where the survey was advertised, how many times, and asked if there were any barriers to participation. I did point out to admin that if surveys can be emailed out, they should be able to email them back instead of having to take them in person to the town hall).

Prue asked if there were any other questions. 

(It would be so refreshing to have decorum at meetings).

Projects and Initiatives in the Accessibility Plan

  • Admin outlined the projects and initiatives in the multi-year accessibility plan, drawn from existing documents: the town’s seven-year capital projects, transportation master plan, and parks master plan.
  • The plan will be open for public feedback and will be revised based on the committee’s input and the survey results.

Admin mentioned the federal standards. Prue said she’s intrigued; took only 20 years but there you go.

(As I keep pointing out, Mayor Prue stood up in the provincial legislature 20 years ago to vote in favour of the AODA. In 2025, he said this town has not been compliant). 

Unfinished Business and New Business

  • Admin provided updates on unfinished business, including the funding for accessible parking spaces at the Libro and Briar Ridge.
  • The committee discussed the donation of a temporary accessible ramp to the Co-An Park Board for use at their stage.
  • The motion to donate the ramp passed, and the committee agreed to review the multi-year accessibility plan and provide feedback at the next meeting.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Dr. Buxton Is On A Mission

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Local dentist Dr. Jerri Ann Buxton was the first dentist to provide dental care to almost 400 patients in an underserved area in Guatemala in late January.

Buxton volunteered to be part of a dental team that visited a dental clinic established in 2022 in the remote village of El Triunfo, population approximately 280.

Amherstburg Ontario dentist Dr. Buxton on a mission in Guatemala
Photo courtesy Dr. Buxton

Buxton described her reception to what appeared to be a “very forgotten village” as “kind and grateful.”

“The people in villages seemed mostly happy, content; the children were so loving and kind, they hugged us constantly,” said Buxton.   

Amherstburg Ontario dentist Dr. Buxton on a mission in Guatemala
Photo courtesy Dr. Buxton

Guatemala Hope, a charity created in Woodslee 25 years ago, organizes the annual volunteer missions and provides a school bus for villagers to visit the dental clinic.

Two dental hygiene students applied fluoride treatments while Buxton performed tooth extractions when needed. 

Buxton said the team did their best to make the patients comfortable and understand the procedure.  

Amherstburg Ontario dentist Dr. Buxton on a mission in Guatemala
Photo courtesy Dr. Buxton

“Communication was difficult at times, even with the use of a translator and Google translate but I am certain the patients I worked on were very appreciative,” she added.

The dentist learned residents have limited access to health care – a nurse might only visit once a month.

There is no pharmacy, although Buxton was told a corner store may sell some medications. 

The team travelled to an even more remote village where the residents had no transportation.

Buxton said the villagers drank from a well that can run dry during the dry season and the water is unclean.

“Almost everyone has worms and parasites,” she said.

The dentist noted the residents cook over fire.

Up to 11 people live in a one room home with the pigs and chickens.

Amherstburg Ontario dentist Dr. Buxton on a mission in Guatemala
Photo courtesy Dr. Buxton

Half of the year is rainy, and everything is just mud and the walls provide no shelter, she explained.

Amherstburg Ontario dentist Dr. Buxton on a mission in Guatemala
Photo courtesy Dr. Buxton

Most children only get up to a grade six education; many adults could not sign their name, said Buxton. 

Buxton said she felt Guatemala Hope had a huge impact on the village residents by providing them with some medications, tooth extractions and water filters.

“This trip had a huge impact on me,” said Buxton. “To see children who are malnourished as the diet is almost entirely corn tortillas with little access to fresh fruit and vegetables and rarely protein was difficult,” she said.

“To see the amount of dental decay in their mouths and lack of ability to deal with it broke my heart at times. It felt surreal and almost like being on a different planet on occasion, especially how they exist with so little when we have so much.” 

The mission also had a ‘huge impact’ on her daughter, another team member. 

“I would be very eager to return on a yearly basis,” said Buxton. 

“A woman told me that the organization Guatemala Hope coming back every year gives their village hope and that they feel someone cares about them,” she said.  

Amherstburg Ontario dentist Dr. Buxton on a mission in Guatemala
Courtesy Dr.. Buxton

The charity ‘supports the well-being of families with limited resources in El Triunfo, Santa Domingo, and Suchitepequez, Guatemala,’ according to its website.

If you are able to make a donation to support the annual missions, visit the charity’s website at https://www.guatemalahope.ca/donate.  

Inconsistencies: Deputy Mayor Gibb On Alleged Misogynistic Comment

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From CTV February 23, 2026: Integrity Commissioner recommends Amherstburg committee member lose role over offensive language.

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 behaviour,” Gibb said.

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

I told Gibb that I felt his language was inappropriate during the October 10, 2023 council meeting.

the burg watch to Gibb: you were present at the county council meeting for the hiatus house presentation ‘shine the light on woman abuse’ awareness campaign. last night you thanked Ms. Prince and said, I know whenever you come here you probably leave with a few more bruises than you had before so I appreciate that. inappropriate and why would you appreciate that?

Listen to the audio of Gibb’s statement.

Gibb did not respond.

Integrity Commissioner Recommends Committee Member Be Removed

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Amherstburg town council will consider a report from its Integrity Commissioner at the February 23 council meeting.

At the beginning of the October 27, 2025 council meeting, Councillor McArthur made a motion not to discuss the matter in camera because he thought ‘you folks would want to hear it.’

Everyone then heard it – in fact McArthur said it twice during his speech.

“I don’t think that a member of the public, and I don’t think a member of a town committee should go to a town event on town property and say to town employees that one of their co workers is a f***ing b**ch,” said McArthur.

McArthur continued, “I think if we did a poll in this room and we asked you, do you think it’s okay for someone to go on a town property and say to town employees that your co worker is a f***ing b***ch, I think you would say that’s not appropriate.”

Principles Integrity, the town’s integrity commissioner, completed its investigation of a complaint by council about a committee member’s conduct.

An integrity commissioner can make recommendations, but council decides to agree or implement a different remedy.

Who Lives Downtown Amherstburg?

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Whoever lives in the old Amherstburg core lives downtown, according to the map legend below.

The first question in the town of Amherstburg’s 2026 multi-year accessibility plan survey is, What area of Town do you live?

Zone 1: The Downtown or Boblo Island (Orange)

Here’s the embedded map in the survey:

map of town of Amherstburg divided into three areas

With such a high population of Amherstburg residents living in the ‘downtown,’ no wonder there’s a focus on that area.

RECAP Council Meeting February 9, 2026 

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A short meeting lingered due to kudos to each other, to past councils, to staff and then there was a bit of grandstanding – it is an election year.

Memorable Meanderings:

About Crime Stoppers: McArthur snuck in the fact that he was a journalist: “I used to be a newspaper reporter, so I must have written 1000 briefs…”.

About reporting back after conference attendances:

McArthur: “I do think, though, we have to be very careful about managing expectations, sitting in an hour long seminar and summing it up in a cogent, concise manner that fully conveys to somebody that wasn’t in that room all the lessons that were learned is a very challenging thing to do. Ron does it for a living…to sum up something that takes place over an hour or two hours, you can’t really do it justice….Councillors aren’t journalists, and to expect them to have the same skills as someone like Ron is just, is just unreasonable.”

(Most, if not all, members of council attended post-secondary institutions where typical classes are three hours long. Are we supposed to conclude that elected officials should be journalists, like McArthur, who mentioned his skills twice during this meeting?)

Deputy Mayor Gibb: “my only concern that I want to put in front of Council to think about is, when we start directing each other’s behaviour we start down a slippery slope.”

(A procedural by-law directs council’s behaviour, as does the code of conduct).

Councillor Crain: “it says here, the report shall include, at a minimum, the name and date summary of the seminars, workshops and or sessions attended. Feels like a homework assignment.”

Environmental Achievements and Awards

  • Councillor Allaire congratulates the town on its environmental successes and praises the administration’s recommendations.
  • Mayor Michael Prue shows the Robert Pulleybank award and shares the positive feedback from other mayors, including the mayor of Kingsbridge.
  • Mayor Prue emphasizes the importance of environmental protection for future generations and highlights Amherstburg’s superior tree cover compared to other municipalities in Essex County.
  • Councillor Courtney credits the Environmental Committee and council for their support and contributions to the town’s environmental efforts.

Crime Stoppers Presentation

  • Rick Surette, OPP officer, summarizes the role and value of Crime Stoppers in the community.
  • Crime Stoppers encourages anonymous tips that lead to crime solutions and offers cash rewards for successful tips.
  • The program’s principles include anonymity, cash rewards, and protection from subpoenas for tipsters.
  • Crime Stoppers has been successful in solving various crimes, including the 2011 Stanley Cup riots, with security camera footage and community tips.

Crime Stoppers Program Details

  • Crime Stoppers operates as a charity and relies on donations and fundraising events for funding.
  • The program receives tips through various methods, including phone calls, online submissions, and mobile apps.
  • Tips can lead to arrests, charges, seizures of illegal items, and good information that helps investigators.
  • The program also has a preventative aspect by deterring criminals from targeting the community due to the high visibility of Crime Stoppers.

Questions/Discussion

  • McArthur asks about the amount of money paid out as rewards in 2025.
  • Rick Surette explains that less than 10% of tipsters who qualify for a reward pick up the money, indicating a strong civic duty among tipsters.
  • McArthur inquires about the types of tips that qualify for rewards and the process for approving rewards.
  • Surette explains the board of directors uses a records management system to calculate estimated rewards based on the severity and impact of the tips.

Reports 

  • Reports from Corporate Services, Parks and Recreation, and Infrastructure Services are presented and approved without discussion.
  • A motion to approve a special event permit for the Good Friday procession is discussed, with Councillor McArthur suggesting to waive the policing fee, which is carried. 

Fire Department Activity Report

  • Councillor Courtney asks about the disconnect in the Fire Department’s call volume report.
  • Deputy Chief explains the merger of Station One and Three and the reallocation of staff between the North and South stations.
  • The Fire Department is currently hiring to fill the complement of paid on-call firefighters.

Proclamation Request 

Council approved a request from the Fibromyalgia Association of Canada for a proclamation and illumination of town hall.

(Another performative action in my opinion).

Sponsorship Opportunities

Council supports the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Business Excellence Awards with a $500 sponsorship for the Employer Award.

(Councillor Crain made the motion, seconded by Deputy Mayor Gibb; both are members of the Chamber of Commerce).

Notice of Motion on Conference Reporting – almost 25 minutes long discussion

  • Councillor Allaire proposes a motion requiring council members who attend conferences funded by municipal tax dollars to provide a written or verbal report to council.
  • The motion is eventually amended to clarify that it applies only to conferences funded by the town of Amherstburg dollars and it is carried unanimously, directing staff to draft a formal policy for council’s consideration.

Inconsistencies: Councillor Allaire – Accountability

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Accountability seemed to be the basis for Councillor Allaire’s motion to seek a draft policy requiring a report following attendance at conferences, conventions, or similar events during the February 9 meeting.

Why now?

Accountability always gets mentioned during an election campaign.

Allaire has already declared she will run again as a candidate in the upcoming election to be held October 26.

Any member could’ve voluntarily given a written or verbal report any time during the last three years and two months.

Any member could’ve posted a report on social media, a tool used extensively by some.

Council’s first Accountability and Transparency policy was passed on November 25, 2019, as mandated by the province.

The policy was updated and presented in an annual report to council on December 16, 2024 – two years into this council’s term.

Councillor Allaire was the first to move the policy BE AMENDED in accordance with the November 26 report titled Annual Policy Report 2024.

The report noted, “there were no alterations to the policy’s core content.”

“Council and Staff are committed to practicing open and proactive communications and involving the community, business sector, developers, public partners and other in the ongoing work of the Town,” states section 6.8 of the policy.

I attempted to hold Allaire accountable for her April 14, 2025 statements about the library.

I asked her if she would explain how this library is not accessible; if this was just her opinion, or if she obtaIned an expert opinion; if she could cite an authority for her statement or a basis, and who is the ‘we?’

I followed up several times, but Allaire did not respond.

During the April 29 council meeting, Allaire asked for a bit more transparency.

Allaire mentioned more transparency again at the May 12 meeting, “which is what I would love,” she said.

In June, I emailed her some of her statements about transparency at meetings: “I’m genuinely asking for a bit more transparency in adding it to our social media” and “I feel that the transparency was limited recently, and I think that that’s what the public really wants” and “I actually appreciate the fact that it keeps some sort of transparency.”

A policy requiring reporting back after conferences might be just another document that gives the appearance of accountability.

People will continue to wonder if a commitment to accountability and transparency is credible until accountability measures are consistently utilized.

How To Complain About Your Municipality

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I was unable to find an Amherstburg Municipal Complaint Resolution Policy on the town’s website, although the Ombudsman Ontario site states every municipality should have a council approved general complaint policy.

The Ombudsman site includes the resource, Tips for Municipal Complaint Resolution Policies.

What is a complaint?
An expression of dissatisfaction made to or about a public organization about some aspect of its programs, services or people where a response is explicitly or implicitly expected. – Ontario Ombudsman

  • Submit your complaint to the municipality, preferably in writing. You’ll need names and titles of people you spoke to or emailed, when you contacted them (dates), what they told you (notes or copies of emails).
  • If you’re not satisfied with the response, determine if the complaint is within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. Learn more at What we can and can’t do.
  • If you’re ready, you can make a complaint online via this form: File your complaint, or by email, phone, or in person.

Contact Information:

Mailing address:

483 Bay Street
10th floor, South Tower
Toronto, ON M5G 2C9

Put Away Your Shovels

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Since 2017, the town of Amherstburg is responsible for clearing and salting all 58 km of municipal sidewalks and trails.

There was some confusion and/or misinformation about sidewalk snow removal in response to my Slushy Sidewalk Barriers post and Facebook post about another dangerous icy sidewalk.

Image description: ice and snow covered municipal sidewalk posing a barrier to people with disabilities.

The town’s website states: Snow Removal on Sidewalks – “At the December 11, 2017 Council meeting Council approved a Town wide sidewalk snow removal program. By-law 2005-04 regulating residents performing sidewalk snow removal WAS REPEALED by Town Council and no longer in effect.”

 “Please be aware that all municipal sidewalks will now be cleared of snow and ice by Town Staff.” – Town of Amherstburg

The town site lists  519-736-3664 as the Infrastructure Services Department number to call for a problem between 8 am and 4 pm.

The emergency after hours number is 519-561-6365.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in Nelson (City) v. Marchi, 2021 SCC 41, ruled municipalities can be held liable for injuries caused by its snow clearing decision.

Ms. Marchi was injured when she crossed a snowbank to access a municipal sidewalk.

The judges said the city owed her a “duty of care.”