Vancouver Island councillor resigns after referring to mayor as 'Mr. Hitler'
A municipal councillor on Vancouver Island has resigned effective immediately after referring to the mayor as "Mr. Hitler" during a public council meeting.
North Saanich Coun. Brett Smyth submitted his resignation letter to the district's director of corporate services on March 24.
"It has not been an easy decision, but one made necessary, but not specifically, in light of my off‐handed comment at a recent council meeting," Smyth wrote in the letter obtained by CTV News.
The comment was made during a March 20 meeting when Smyth took issue with the membership of an official community plan advisory working group, calling the member selection process political and not transparent.
"It is not a political approach," North Saanich Mayor Peter Jones responded. "It's a practical approach to getting the new version of the OCP [official community plan] done. So would you please refrain from referring to political approaches or anything similar?"
"I cannot refrain from something that is the truth," Smyth replied.
"OK, we're not taking any more questions," the mayor said. "It is advisory only so therefore we move on to the next item."
"Thank you, Mr. Hitler," Smyth responded.
In his resignation letter, the councillor said he "would have preferred a more positive environment at the municipal hall but when all voices are not respected, then it is difficult to practise the patience required of an elected official."
In a telephone interview Monday, Smyth said "some people wish to be offended" by his comment "and some people understand."
"I'm a pretty good guy," said the long-time farmer and produce market operator. "If I'm saying something like that, there's a reason for it. It's not that I’m unbalanced."
The mayor told CTV News on Monday he is disappointed that Smyth decided to resign, saying he appreciates Smyth's concerns around the advisory group membership, and said the community will suffer with the loss of the experienced councillor at the table.
"I didn’t expect that he would step down. My view is I still wish he had not. His comments are fair in the sense that there has been some dissension in council but that's typical," Jones said.
"He's done a lot of work for the residents of North Saanich and I would have liked him to complete his term because he has a lot to offer."
Smyth was first elected to council in 2018 and was re-elected to a second term last October.
In a statement Monday, the district thanked Smyth for "his years of dedicated service to this community."
The district says a byelection will be held to fill the vacant council seat in accordance with the municipality’s community charter.
"Details on a byelection will be made available soon," the district said.
Smyth, in his letter, wished the mayor and council "good luck in moving forward with a more collaborative and free‐thinking approach that has the best interests of all residents."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.