At the August 25 regular council meeting, Reeve Peter Emon introduced a motion calling on Mayor Tom Sidney to write a letter calling on Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa to intervene and help broker a deal between the two sides.
Employees walked off the job on May 25. They are seeking a 6.5 percent retroactive wage adjustment as a remedy related to the overturned Bill 124, along with improved baseline funding, staffing levels, and resolutions to local non-wage issues.
Reeve Emon’s recommended letter expressed frustration throughout the community and its intent was to call on the various ministers to use their influence to intervene to resolve the strike.
It was agreed by all members the letter would not be worded to show support for either the workers or management. Although the motion to send a letter to Queen’s Park had the support of council, Reeve Emon went one step further.
He introduced a second motion that would direct town staff to create videos featuring the families and clients who use the services delivered by CLRS in order for family members and CLRS clients to be interviewed in order to express how their experiences have affected them since the strike began.
The strike has halted indoor day programming and strained local families who rely heavily on Community Living supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Reeve Emon argued in favour of families being interviewed for the videos.
“We request Town of Renfrew communications staff to video record 10 or 15 clients or families associated with CLRS outlining the impact of denial of services is having upon these vulnerable members of our community,” he said.
Councillor Andrew Dick asked for clarity in terms of video production.
“Just to be clear, we are not asking our staff to take sides, but merely record the videos to accompany the letter?” he asked.
Reeve Emon said his interpretation of the motion was correct. Coun. Dick stated he was in favour of the videos because both parties in the strike are being negatively affected and it was proper for the town to send the videos to show the long-term damage the strike is causing.
Councillor Jason Legris agreed the strike is hurting both sides of the labour dispute and was in favour of sending a letter but did not agree with using town staff to create the videos.
“Having staff making videos of staff and families involved is taking a side, in my opinion,” he said. “We shouldn’t be getting involved to that degree in labour disputes.”
Councillor Kyle Cybulski also agreed a letter to the minister is needed, but also expressed apprehension towards using staff to create videos.
“From what I am hearing there is a need for it…but right now I am not comfortable doing this.”
Mayor Sidney said he feels for the families and staff since the strike has been going on so long but stated he did not favour the motion of using town staff to create the videos.
“I am concerned it goes beyond the scope of council, and I have concerns as how do you pick the 10 or 15 families and what happens if somebody wanted to do it, but didn’t get to do it?” he said. “Is that really our role, as a corporation, to play a reporter…I don’t think that is the best use of town resources.”
Coun. Legris added he is very sympathetic to the plight of local families who are being negatively affected by the strike. However, he said the optics of town staff making videos and working with the families and clients could be misinterpreted by the town’s own unions when the time comes to deal with labour or human resource issues.
When Mayor Sidney asked for the motion to be voted on, it was defeated, but a letter to the respective ministries will still be sent.
By Bruce McIntyre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Sep 04, 2026 at 14:57
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