WINNIPEG -- The Reeve of La Broquerie, who spoke out against Manitoba public health orders at an anti-mask rally last year, has been suspended after an investigation found he breached the code of conduct.
La Broquerie Council voted on Wednesday to suspend Reeve Lewis Weiss for breaching the council's code of conduct. Weiss has been suspended for 45 days.
Weiss came under fire from his council after publicly speaking out against Manitoba's public health orders and restrictions at an anti-mask rally in Steinbach in November 2020. As a result of the rally, Weiss was handed a $1,296 ticket for violating the health orders.
Ivan Normandeau, the deputy reeve of La Broquerie, told CTV News he was disappointed to hear of Weiss's actions at the rally.
"It was a very difficult position and put us in a very difficult spot, but it is a decision that had to be done," he said.
"It wasn't an easy decision. It was not something that we took lightly as council."
(Source: CTV News Winnipeg)
In December, council hired a third party to launch an investigation into his actions. In a motion to suspend Weiss, council said the report from that investigation confirmed Weiss breached the code of conduct.
All but one councillor voted to suspend Weiss. Coun. Darrell Unger declined to vote.
The report, which has been redacted and shared in-part with CTV News, was completed by a Saskatchewan-based security company, Buckingham Security.
"We believe there is evidence to support the allegation that Mr. Weiss has breached the code of conduct," the report reads.
The report outlines Weiss's participation at the anti-mask rally in Steinbach, saying Weiss attended the event and was introduced as the Reeve of La Broquerie.
"Although he announced he had not been sent by his council, he did not separate by word or action his position as Reeve," the report reads. "Mr. Weiss, by attending, speaking and not following the guidelines or Public Health Mandate it can reasonably be construed that he also encouraged other Manitobans to not follow the Public Health Mandate."
The report goes on to say Weiss, by attending and sharing his beliefs at the rally, was not in alignment with his position as the RM of La Broquerie.
Despite the ticket and the decision from council, Weiss told CTV News he does not regret his actions.
"I don't feel I'm guilty of anything," Weiss said, adding he believes the report was one-sided.
When asked if he, as an elected official, feels he has a responsibility to follow the health orders and ensure his constituents are doing the same regardless of his beliefs, Weiss said that is not his job.
"It's not up to me to make sure people obey laws or rules," he said.
"I believe I am standing up for the residents of La Broquerie when I made those comments, because I believe the majority of the residents of La Broquerie believe what I've been saying."
Weiss said he has received support from some residents who agree with his decision to speak out at the rally.
But not all in La Broquerie agree. Normandeau said many residents supported the decision to suspend Weiss, and some wanted a harsher penalty.
The Reeve said he plans to appeal the decision, and fight the ticket he received at the rally.
As for the future of the La Broquerie Council, Normandeau said he realizes this could leave a stain on the community, but said he believes they will be able to work past it.
"I think it is something that we, hopefully in the future, can put this behind us and continue to work for the ratepayers of La Broquerie," he said.
Weiss agreed, saying he holds no grudges against his fellow members of council, and will work for the community following his 45-day suspension.
You can read the portion of the redacted report given to CTV News here:
