04/17/2026
First Ontario Municipality Found in Contempt Does Not Apologize or Admit Guilt
Township of Ramara’s April 2, 2026, statement said “the township would like to take this opportunity to recognize.” Recognizing is not Apologizing! This was not an apology!
https://www.ramara.ca/news/posts/statement-re-lagoon-city-shorewall-legal-matter/
The applicant’s position is, that after ten years of wasted time and more than half a million dollars of wasted legal fees, the “opportunity to recognize” ended years prior to December 30, 2024. The township missed repeated opportunities to recognize problematic behaviours. Today, after the CONTEMPT decision, Ramara officials should “wake up” and then apologize to all Ramara taxpayers and all Lagoon City levy payers.
Justice Sutherland recognized the seriousness and precedent setting nature of his decision by ordering:
[46] “I also order that the applicants serve this decision on the Ministry of the Attorney General.”
The facts are, that during a ten-year shorewall bylaw dispute, the Township of Ramara officials violated multiple provincial statutes passing two shorewall bylaws with twelve instances of Bad Faith. December 30, 2024, Ontario Superior Court ordered the illegal bylaws quashed. Throughout this time and through seven CAOs, Mayor Basil Clarke led the township. We are shocked that Clarke was “curious” when faced with the court’s CONTEMPT decision. Disputing facts found by two Justices is not a wise strategy while Ramara waits for the Penalty Hearing.
A lawyer familiar with the matter commented, “The Court has found bad faith and contempt by the Township, which included: collusion; improper interference with government officials; ignoring engineering practice, professional advice, and the public’s financial interest, and taking proactive steps to use legislation for improper purposes thereby circumventing the rule of law. After these wrongs were found the Township continued to find reasons not to follow the rule of law and did not comply with the Court’s orders. Only now, after being found in contempt of court beyond a reasonable doubt is the Township taking steps to address any issues identified by the Court.”
Georgi Jennings commented,” the residents in this matter, fought for ten years for this result and officials of the Township have fought them, often illegally and improperly throughout the entire period. We are pleased that process reforms are being enacted. However, we are gravely concerned that the Township refuses to apologize and that there is no admission of guilt and that persons needed to act differently. Blaming this on processes and inoculating any blame on specific persons ignores the decisions which focus on calculated actions by individuals to subvert the rule of law. We are concerned that without reflection by individuals and a commitment by them to change their actions, this may still reoccur.”
To the applicants, Ramara’s Statement seems like insincere, political spin that lacks apology, remorse, or a remediation plan. The statement does not help applicants who suffered ten years of unfairness, and obfuscation.
Justice Sutherland may conclude Ramara’s statement was, “damage control.” Ramara’s statement shows, no concern for tax and levy payers who must now pick up the $500,000 plus tab. So far, even after the finding of contempt of court, all the contemptible and guilty Ramara officials will escape without individual accountability or consequences.
