CityHousing Hamilton’s Board of Directors abruptly ended its meeting livestream on Tuesday due to a dispute with a delegate who made accusations against individual front-line staff.
The video feed was cut shortly after City Hall security managers are seen entering the room.
The meeting resumed afterwards but was not livestreamed. The CityHousing Hamilton Board of Directors is exempt, by provincial legislation, from the open meetings oversight of the Ontario Ombudsman.
Delegate Cautioned to Not Make Accusations Against Individuals
Jelena Vermilion was delegating at the CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) Board regarding accusations of harassment she wished to express regarding incidents at her CHH apartment building in Ward 3.
Vermilion is well known for her activism on sex worker issues and transgender issues. She was recognized this year as a Woman of Distinction by the YWCA Hamilton.
CHH Chair Councillor Nrinder Nann (Ward 3) began the public delegations portion of the meeting by reminding speakers they cannot make potentially defamatory accusations against individuals.
Vermilion began by claiming a Charter right to make statements.
“If you violate my Charter-protected freedom of expression, I will sue the Board,” she stated.
Nann stated in response, “I hear you, but the parameters for the delegation cannot include job titles, cannot include names of individuals, including tenants.”
“You will not have any further warning.”
Vermilion responded, “I will have to sue the Board of Directors.”
Delegate Shares Concerns for Safety
Vermilion’s began speaking, stating that she, as a transgender individual, has been harassed at her building.
In one incident, she said, “A tombstone was placed in a place in my garden plot, a literal tombstone mocking, hateful and ominous. Imagine the impact of finding a tombstone in what should be your safe space. This was not a prank. This was a clear message, a message telling me that my existence, my very life, is offensive to others here and that I should disappear.”
Delegation Accuses An Individual, Audio Cut, Security Called
Four minutes into the delegation, Vermilion began making accusations against a property superintendent.
CHH staff immediately cut the audio feed.
The video stream continued as City Hall security managers entered the room.
CHH staff then cut the video feed.
The meeting eventually resumed without any livestream.
Vermilion was permitted to remain in the meeting room.
Production Details v. 1.0.0 Published: October 31, 2024 Last updated: October 31, 2024 Author: Joey Coleman Update Record v. 1.0.0 original version