{"id":552817,"date":"2026-03-22T07:48:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T07:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/552817\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T07:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T07:48:08","slug":"toronto-councillor-violated-code-of-conduct-integrity-commissioner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/552817\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto councillor violated code of conduct: Integrity Commissioner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toronto\u2019s Integrity Commissioner has found that comments made by a city councillor during a dispute with a constituent last year violated council\u2019s code of conduct.<\/p>\n

The city watchdog investigated two complaints that stem from a town hall meeting that took place in Toronto Centre on January 16, 2025.<\/p>\n

According to the commissioner\u2019s report<\/a>, which was released this week, one of the complainants, known as Daniel Tate of the controversial advocacy group Integrity TO, had opposed the City\u2019s decision to rename Yonge-Dundas Square<\/a> to Sankofa Square and approached Ward 13 Coun. Chris Moise as he was leaving the meeting to confront him about his role in the renaming.<\/p>\n

The tense exchange was recorded by Tate and later shared with the media.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what are you doing this year, in [20]25, relating to renaming things that hurt your feelings for whatever reason?\u201d he asked the councillor. \u201cWhat else is on your list?\u201d<\/p>\n

Moise responded saying, \u201cMr. Tate, I know that you and I have different opinions on many things. I know that you have different views than I do. I know you have a white supremacy view.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t support your views,\u201d Moise added.<\/p>\n

Tate proceeded to demand an apology from the councillor, saying, \u201cDid you just call me a white supremacist, Councillor Moise? That\u2019s an appalling thing to say to a constituent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dispute then escalated with multiple individuals speaking over each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have harassed me for months,\u201d Moise quipped. \u201cI will never apologize.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toronto Councillor Chris Moise was behind the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa.
When asked by constituent Daniel Tate what he plans to rename next, Moise calls Tate a white supremacist and refuses to answer questions.
Details here \u2013 https:\/\/t.co\/uCxSlvKUXl<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RJy9ETkVll<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brian Lilley (@brianlilley) January 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

In a statement to CityNews, Moise claimed that he was cornered by a handful of people, in addition to Tate, who appeared to be his \u201cassociates or volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the individuals is heard on the video saying Moise is \u201cpulling the race card.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few days after that interaction, Tate filed a complaint with the City\u2019s Integrity Commissioner, a neutral, independent officer who oversees the conduct of elected and most appointed officials at the City of Toronto.<\/p>\n

The matter was investigated and on Wednesday the commissioner released his report, finding that the councillor\u2019s comments were directed to a specific person and could cause reputational harm.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result, the Commissioner found that the Councillor had engaged with a member of the public in a derogatory manner while acting in his official role, violating Article 14 of the Code of Conduct,\u201d the report says.<\/p>\n

Despite the finding, no penalty was recommended \u201cdue to context.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe brief interaction occurred when the Complainant pursued the Councillor with critical questions while the Councillor was trying to leave a meeting and only became public when the Complainant shared his video with the media,\u201d the commissioner wrote.<\/p>\n

In its report, the City watchdog also recognized Moise\u2019s lived experience as a racialized person and said he faced \u201cpersistent criticism\u201d of equity, diversity and inclusion policies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was the first instance of the Integrity Commissioner finding the Councillor acted in a derogatory manner towards someone,\u201d the report noted. \u201cWhile disagreement is inevitable in a vibrant democracy, the manner in which individuals engage with one another matters. Members of Council hold positions of public trust and, with that, bear the responsibility to model high standards of respectful conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n

IntegrityTO called the commissioner\u2019s choice to not issue a penalty \u201cdisappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis kind of derogatory rhetoric fuels toxic, divisive discourse and erodes trust in public officials,\u201d Tate said in a statement on Friday. \u201cWhen citizens fear reputational harm for speaking out, democracy itself is weakened.\u201d<\/p>\n

IntegrityTO is now asking council members to \u201cimpose a significant penalty\u201d on Moise when they meet next week to discuss the report.<\/p>\n

\u201cCity Council must take this matter seriously,\u201d the group said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Moise doesn\u2019t appear to be backing down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe encourage our children and others that if they see something, say something,\u201d Moise told CityNews. \u201cI will continue to say something when I see something. As an elected representative, it is incumbent on me to lead by example and stand up to racism, bigotry, and marginalization.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI respectfully disagree with the Integrity Commissioner,\u201d Moise added. \u201cI have no regrets, and I will always stand up to white nationalism and white nationalist politics.\u201d<\/p>\n

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