Councillor calls off courts in exchange for mayor’s apology

An apology has put an end to months of legal battles and an investigation into a complaint filed by Brownsburg-Chatham Councillor André McNicoll against Mayor Georges Dinel.

The controversy began during a municipal caucus meeting in late March, when Dinel allegedly accused McNicoll of leaking confidential information, verbally berating him and threatening the councillor with physical violence.

Following the meeting, in which the majority of council was present, McNicoll contacted the police and pressed charges. Dinel was subsequently charged with simple assault, under article 266 of the Canadian Criminal Code, but  was not criminally penalized for his actions.

One week after the incident, the mayor expelled McNicoll from caucus. He remains excluded from caucus to this day, though continues to deny any allegations that he leaked confidential municipal information.

"It was all about blaming me for leaking confidential information, which I didn't, and this is why they kicked me out of caucus," said McNicoll.

Both parties had been consulting lawyers and preparing to go to court and proceed with civil action. However, the situation was resolved on Monday, October 3, when Dinel issued a public apology to McNicoll during the municipal council meeting.

"I offered to stop all legal proceedings if the mayor gave me a public apology for defaming my integrity," said McNicoll. "I was asking for more, but I would hate to see the public have to pay for this."

The councillor said the municipality has been paying for legal counsel for both parties and claimed the taxpayers would ultimately have to pay for this incident, were it to proceed further.

"I want the people to know that I am not the type of person to do this, nor am I seeking money to profit from this," he said. "I need my name cleared. I am doing it for the citizens as well as me. I have the proof behind me and I was sure to win, but it was the people who would have to pay and this is not fair."