Barry Stanley, a retired teacher and Bracebridge resident, was selected by the Liberals to run for the seat of MPP Norm Miller, who announced last November that he would not seek reelection. The Toronto Star published an article on May 11 about a book Stanley authored on rebreathing, where infants breathe in their own exhaled air. Without providing evidence, Stanley claims in the book that homosexuality “may also be caused by depleted rebreathing occurring shortly after birth… it is related to how the brain has developed.” In response, the Ontario NDP released a statement calling on the liberal party to fire Stanley.

“This writing is hurtful to the entire 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” said the statement from the NDP. “Steven Del Duca must immediately fire this candidate.”

Stanley posted a video announcing his candidacy on YouTube on May 8. He defended himself in the comment section a few days later after receiving an accusation of bigotry. 

“Please be aware that I am not, nor never have been homophobic,” Stanely wrote in reply to a comment. “I care deeply about our gay community. The Star’s misrepresentation of a suggestion as a point of view against gays is totally incorrect and damaging. There is nothing that I have said that can be construed as hurtful to their community.”

Andrea Ernesaks, press secretary for the Ontario Liberal Party, said they were unaware of Stanley’s book and that Stanley admitted he failed to disclose the book to the vetting team.

“As soon as we learned of this history, we immediately informed him that he will not be running as part of our Liberal team,” said a statement provided by Ernesaks. “Steven Del Duca and the Ontario Liberal Party condemn these offensive views and will not accept any candidates who have a track record of bigotry or homophobia. We hope that every party takes a similar stance.”

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Provincial Legislation, including the Ontario Municipal Act and the Legislative Assembly Act, do not restrict a sitting Mayor or any other Member of Council from candidacy in Provincial Elections. Only a candidate’s actual election to a seat in the Ontario Legislature would render a current Council Member ineligible for a seat on a Municipal Council.

Bracebridge Town Council is made up of 9 members, including the Mayor.  Bracebridge Council can meet provided a quorum of at least any 5 members is present.

“The governance structure of the Town of Bracebridge requires decision making to occur based on a majority vote of its elected officials, not by any individual Member of Council. Council has approved various strategic documents, policies and by-laws that guide the Town’s activities and Council will continue to have the ability to make decisions for the Town, regardless of the Mayor’s status,” said CAO Rettie.

The Town recognizes the importance of the role of Mayor and has appointed a Deputy Mayor that is able to ensure continuity of business during periods when the Mayor is unavailable. Additionally, should the Mayor’s seat become vacant, the Town has a Council Vacancy Policy that will guide the process for filling the vacant position.

Measures are also in place to ensure that municipal resources are not expended to support a Provincial Candidate.

Additional information regarding governance and related procedural matters can be obtained through the following link November 3, 2021 Council Correspondence.

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