‘It’s not stopping me’: Coun. Stevenson defiant about harassment that kept her from attending committee meetings in-person

Coun. Susan Stevenson speaks exclusively to CTV’s Daryl Newcombe after she said she’s not attending committees in person due to alleged workplace harassment.

A day after Coun. Susan Stevenson revealed she stopped attending committee meetings in-person because of ongoing disrespect and harassment, she spoke with CTV News about her experiences.

Stevenson describes some of the incidents within Council Chambers and online, “There are comments and sort of chanting while I’m trying to speak, when it’s my turn to speak at the mic. I’m also talking about comments on social media that call into question my ethics, and I’m talking about the sort of shaming comments that, again, question my character.”

She has chosen not to publicly identify those individuals who are responsible, but says she previously emailed two members of Council about their behaviour towards her.

She claims only one of the two responded, and her concerns remain unresolved.

“There’s this culture of silence, it seems, (at City Hall) where we don’t talk about anything that’s wrong. We just don’t talk about anything that makes us look bad,” she asserts.

Stevenson says she would like more respectful debate during meetings—even when political views vary widely on an issue.

“We’d be much more effective if we worked with each other to try to come up with the best solution, rather than personal attacks or complain that the other person is expressing an opinion (that) we find objectionable.”

Stevenson has not followed advice to file a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner, citing the cost to the taxpayer for a situation she believes can be manage by herself.

“I find my own ways to get things done. I can attend (committee meetings) remotely. I can put things in writing. It’s not stopping me,” she explains. “So why would I burden the taxpayers with that additional cost?”

Stevenson has twice been found to have violated the Code of Conduct by London’s previous Integrity Commissioner - but she disputes the decisions.

In 2023, one of her social media posts included a picture of an identifiable homeless man along with references to graffiti and criminality.

In 2024, her persistent questioning of Deputy City Manager Kevin Dickins about homelessness initiatives was deemed to be bullying.

Mayor Josh Morgan tells CTV News he must respect confidentiality when any councillor reaches out, but takes all such matters seriously.

He adds, he would always help a councillor know what their options are and the avenues to access them.

During this week’s Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee meeting Stevenson told colleagues, “Because of the ongoing disrespect and harassment that I’ve been experiencing in committees that has been unable to be unresolved (and) remains unresolved. I have attempted to speak with the people directly. I have gone to leadership. I’ve been advised to file an Integrity Commissioner complaint.”

She went on to state, “On social media over the last three years, I’ve had repeated and ongoing disrespectful comments and harassment from employees of the City of London, fellow Councilors and contracted agencies.”

On Tuesday evening, Stevenson did attend the Budget Committee’s Public Participation Meeting (PPM) in-person, but intentionally sat on the opposite side of Council Chambers from her assigned seat.