Author of the article: Galen Simmons  •  Stratford Beacon Herald
Publishing date: Apr 11, 2022  •  1 hour ago  •  2 minute read  •  13 Comments Perth County Courthouse (Beacon Herald file photo)

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STRATFORD – A local county councillor who told his political colleagues they’d be punished in the afterlife if they supported a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for municipal employees has been docked a day’s pay.

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Perth County council imposed the penalty on Coun. Daryl Herlick for breaching council’s code of conduct for the second time in 14 months. Councillors at a recent meeting heard details from the Toronto law firm that investigated a complaint against Herlick over comments he made during a closed-door council meeting Nov. 4, 2021. During the meeting, councillors discussed a proposed mandatory vaccination policy for non-unionized county employees. According to the report by the law firm Aird Berlis, which acts as the county’s integrity commissioner, Herlick said councillors who supported the mandate would be punished in the afterlife when they are judged by God, as outlined in the Christian faith. The complainant, who was not named, said “assurances of Biblical punishment were inappropriate in a council meeting setting and when considering matters of public policy,” the report said.

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Dasha Peregoudova, a labour and employment lawyer with the Toronto firm, said the investigation found Herlick breached council’s code of conduct that calls on councillors to “avoid aggressive, offensive and abusive conduct.” She recommended that Herlick, who represents Perth East on county council, be docked 10 days’ pay because it was his second violation of the term. A motion to dock Herlick’s pay by 10 days and to reprimand him was defeated, but a majority of councillors agreed to dock him a day’s pay and reprimand him. The law firm shared the findings of its investigation with Herlick and noted, based on his response, it was clear he “feels overwhelmingly justified in relying on his faith to advocate for his position on issues, as he genuinely believes that mandatory vaccination policies are harmful to citizens. He also has general concerns for humanity or morality related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“The councillor appears to strongly adhere to his interpretation of these events as they relate to Christianity, and accordingly, he is of the view that he, as a believer, is obligated to ‘call out and raise concern if you see sin,’ ” the report said. Herlick was also reprimanded by council in September 2021 after he was found to have breached council’s code of conduct by posing for a photograph eight months earlier with members of an anti-lockdown group who were not wearing masks, practising social distancing or adhering to public-gathering limits during a state of emergency and stay-at-home order. An investigation found Herlick breached the code of conduct by posing for the photo that showed him breaking the rules in place and sharing it on social media. [email protected]

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