The 55-page inquiry report, released Monday by Giorno, states that Leal breached the City Council’s code of conduct twice by intimidating Councillor Alex Bierk and bullying Councillor Joy Lachica regarding the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment of new pickleball courts.
There were eight complaints filed after the April 2 General Committee meeting, when Leal allegedly made a threat to Bierk. The statement in question is when Leal stated he would ‘carve Councillor Bierk like a Thanksgiving turkey’ and that he’d ‘regret’ having said that since Leal’s decision-making regarding pickleball courts were a conflict of interest and was ‘not impartial.’
The statement was made after a mention of Leal’s wife, Karan, a member of the Peterborough Pickleball Association, during the discussion. Five more complaints were made after Leal’s public apology on April 8.
Former Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien-Hale, Zachary Hatton, Laurie Breese, Jill Staveley, Sarah Byer, Martha Jansenberger, James Anderson, Allison Potts, Ryan Perks, Rob Hailman, Courtney Seddon, John Gerelus and former Green Party provincial candidate Robert Gibson filed the collective complaints.
The ‘turkey’ comment, expressed figuratively, was not intended or interpreted as a threat of violence or physical harm. The ‘regret’ and ‘turkey’ mentions are considered intimidation according to section 10 of the Code.
However, Giorno’s report stated that Leal did not breach section 29 of the Code. The Integrity Commissioner determined that the Mayor’s decision-making on Bonnerworth Park did not involve a private advantage for him or his wife.
The findings determined that:
“The argument that the Mayor could not take part in the decision on Bonnerworth Park is as flawed as an argument that swimmers cannot participate in decisions on pools and hockey players cannot vote on ice pads.”
The second investigation involved the filed complaint by Lachica. The incident alleges that Leal bullied and intimidated her, out of the public’s view, after the April 2nd General Committee meeting.
The report stated the following:
“The incident in the corridor occurred in the context of a power imbalance that is a hallmark of bullying. The Mayor is more powerful than a Councillor. In a strictly legal sense, this has been the case since October 31st, 2023, when Ontario Regulation 331/23 added Peterborough to the list of municipalities subject to strong mayor powers. The Mayor’s powers include the direct appointment of the chairs and vice-chairs of committees.”
As a result, the report finds that Leal violated section 10 of the Code of Conduct relating to Lachica.
City Council has the option to impose one of two penalties (but not both) on Leal as a result of his violations: a reprimand or a pay suspension (up to 90 days).
