Coun. Stevenson should face reprimand for posts about homeless, integrity watchdog rules

The City of London's Integrity Commissioner is recommending Coun. Susan Stevenson be formally reprimanded for posting social media photos of recognizable people who appear to be experiencing homelessness, and linking them with violence and vandalism. 

The ruling from lawyer Jeffrey A. Abrams of the firm Principles Integrity found Stevenson's posts showing a group of people on a sidewalk in Old East Village were "unnecessary and insensitive." The photos were posted in September on Stevenson's X account.

One of the photos included the following text: 

NOW let's address the problem. The needles, the feces, the garbage, the encampments, the open drug use, the erratic and violent behaviour, the CRIME, the VANDALISM… the lack of safety

The integrity commissioner ruled that by including text with one of the posts that mentioned "vandalism" and "violence," Stevenson was linking the people in the photo with illegal activity, which he said amounted to "gratuitous editorial commentary."

And while those comments were not directed at any one individual, Abrams ruled they were "unnecessarily provocative, particularly when targeting vulnerable individuals."

"We admonish the Councillor to refrain from such gratuitous provocation," the report says.

The report said the Ward 4 councillor acknowledged she could have done more to obscure the identities of those in the photos. 

"In this regard, she has acknowledged that there is room for improvement in her use of social media," the report said. 

"The posting of the un-blurred photos reflected an invasion of the personal privacy of the individuals involved, and disregarded the impact publication of the photographs could have on the community, and the individuals involved," Abrams wrote. 

Abrams found that Stevenson's actions breached sections of the council code of conduct that require councillors to treat members of the public and others "appropriately and without abuse, bullying or intimation." 

"Although not blatantly an act of abuse or bullying, the photos inappropriately infringed the personal privacy of the individuals involved, reflecting a disregard for the impact the post could have on the individuals involved and the homeless community at large," Abrams wrote.

"We admonish the Councillor to exercise greater sensitivity and care — avoiding provocative and gratuitous comments insensitive to the plight of the more vulnerable — in her public comments posted on social media," the report said. 

The report said Stevenson was co-operative and appeared to be receptive to the integrity commissioner's suggestions and guidance.