A Victoria council member is asking for an apology from a colleague for alleged defamatory comments made at a committee of the whole meeting while discussing advertising around the upcoming Crystal Pool referendum.
At the committee meeting on Jan. 23, Coun. Stephen Hammond put forward a motion to "put a stop to one-sided advertising regarding the referendum" and to "replace upcoming advertising and information sessions, as well as the city’s website to include arguments or reasoning for both the “yes” and “no” sides of the binding question on the referendum" almost two weeks from the referendum date.
Hammond shared his concerns about the advertising for the pool project, going back a few months ago when he came across two ads, one in a bus shelter and one in a newspaper, which noted a new pool would be "more accessible, sustainable, modern, more inclusive" and "bigger," without mentioning much of the expenses.
"I was under the impression that the referendum was a decision for the voters of Victoria, and the city wasn't going to support the vote one way or another, however, this ad caught my attention as being rather one-sided," said Hammond.
"If the public continues to get one-sided information, then there [will be] a lot of people who won't be happy if they didn't get all the facts before even more people voted. If this project goes ahead and in a few years we have people being shell-shocked by their tax bills I don't want it to be because they didn't have all the facts available to them."
Coun. Jeremy Caradonna strongly disagreed with the motion.
"I've seen a lot of bad motions in the last two years but this one really takes the cake. I was truly embarrassed when I saw it hit our agenda."
Caradonna argued that a motion like this would have a negative impact on staff morale and work culture, especially as it came just two weeks before the referendum, and mail-in ballots are already being accepted.
"I find it very hard to believe that the mover of this original motion was shocked to see this poster at a bus stop when he in fact was involved in unanimously approving it," said Caradonna. "That's a lie Councillor Hammond, you just lied to the public."
The motion was defeated with Hammond and Coun. Marg Gardiner voting in favour.
Hammond submitted a council member motion on Tuesday, Jan. 28 asking Caradonna to issue an "unequivocal and sincere apology" for the comments calling him a liar.
"[The comment] may lead some members of the public to distrust Stephen Hammond, in both his council, business, and community capacities. Councillor Hammond believes this defamatory statement may lead a 'right-thinking person' to believe the statement, causing Hammond actual harm," noted a news release from Hammond.
Hammond noted that if he finds the apology to be satisfactory, he won't take further action, and he said he can take civil legal action for defamation of character against Caradonna if the apology is not made.
In the motion, Hammond argued that the comments could have an adverse impact on his business reputation as a former lawyer and member of the Law Society of B.C.; his community reputation; and his reputation as a city council member.
“A person cannot continue to make false statements and believe there are no consequences,” he noted in the release.
The motion is expected to be discussed at a committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, Jan. 30.
For more information on the referendum, visit victoria.ca/referendum.
The Victoria News has reached out to Caradonna for comment.
