Ontario polar bears could be ‘extinct in 45 years’ as Ford’s Bill 5 strips remaining protections

Ontario polar bears could be ‘extinct in 45 years’ as Ford’s Bill 5 strips remaining protections

In the latest episode of humans vs. the wild in Ontario, one of the planet’s most iconic and imperilled species, polar bears, is teetering on the edge of extinction in the province’s far north. 

Far from the melting ice of Hudson Bay, at Queen’s Park the Doug Ford PC government has accelerated the decline of Canada’s once mighty polar bears. Bill 5, a sweeping rollback of environmental protections, has stripped away critical safeguards that have never been needed more.



City of St. Catharines admits it has no clue if system to keep residents safe from cancer-causing toxins on former GM site is working

City of St. Catharines admits it has no clue if system to keep residents safe from cancer-causing toxins on former GM site is working

After a contractor appears to have walked away from the job due to lack of payment, questions are being raised about who is monitoring a system meant to prevent contamination from leaking off the former GM lands in the heart of St. Catharines.

Municipal officials have taken a potentially harmful hands-off approach for years, and now admit they have no idea who is monitoring the system, or if it’s even functioning. 



Niagara’s conservation authority needs residents to report wrongdoing; why are they kept in the dark after doing so?

Niagara’s conservation authority needs residents to report wrongdoing; why are they kept in the dark after doing so?

Hidden behind a gas station in St. Catharines, illegal work has pushed gravel and concrete slabs down into a protected ravine. Disturbed residents immediately reported the work to the conservation authority, which has ignored their follow-up queries about what is being done. 

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority says this lack of communication is the typical process, but residents are demanding the policy be changed to restore public trust in a critical complaint system. 



Does Carney care ‘more about prolonging the life of the declining oil and gas industry than protecting the planet’?

Does Carney care ‘more about prolonging the life of the declining oil and gas industry than protecting the planet’?

Earlier this year, local councillors raised their elbows and pushed a letter onto the national stage, urging Ottawa to back climate-focused nation-building projects. By October, nearly 300 municipal officials had signed on, warning that Canada’s future depends on investing in clean energy, housing, and resilience.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has come under fire for prioritizing “nation-building projects” that do not align with sustainable initiatives Canadians have been promised for a decade under Liberal rule.



‘A kangaroo court’: Welcome to the ‘wild west’ world of municipal government under Doug Ford

‘A kangaroo court’: Welcome to the ‘wild west’ world of municipal government under Doug Ford

Questionable contracts. Hirings and firings with zero accountability. Strong mayor powers that shut the public out. Disturbing deal making behind the scenes. And skyrocketing budgets that have left property taxpayers in shock.

Efforts to bring accountability back to City Hall through the passage of bill 9 seem doomed to fail, according to those who are trying to restore trust in the province’s badly broken municipal sector.



Niagara Falls Councillor Mike Strange faces April trial after being charged with intimate partner violence

Niagara Falls Councillor Mike Strange faces April trial after being charged with intimate partner violence

Two days in April have been set for the trial.

Strange denies the allegation which has created significant tension inside City Hall and triggered a complaint to the municipality’s integrity commissioner after he attempted to block women’s rights advocates from sitting in the council chamber. 



‘No...full stop...You must not become Donald Trump, to protect against Donald Trump’: Ford’s Bill 5 will give PCs unchecked power

‘No...full stop...You must not become Donald Trump, to protect against Donald Trump’: Ford’s Bill 5 will give PCs unchecked power

The future of Ontario’s environment could be shaped by the unchecked "opinion" of the provincial cabinet. The draft regulations for Bill 5’s Special Economic Zones show  just how much power ministers might have over project approvals, shutting out traditional oversight that has protected the province’s water, farmland, greenspaces and most sensitive ecosystems for decades.



After secretly working to destroy it, Ford government silent on long overdue review of Ontario’s Greenbelt

After secretly working to destroy it, Ford government silent on long overdue review of Ontario’s Greenbelt

Two decades after Ontario drew a line around its farmland and forests with the creation of the Greenbelt, The Pointer spoke with Victor Doyle, the plan’s chief architect, about how the landmark policy first came together to protect the province’s most fertile farmland and fragile watersheds.

Why is it still one of the province’s most important safeguards? Doyle fears the Ford government’s stalling on the Greenbelt’s long-overdue second review might be part of a plan to weaken Ontario’s most critical piece of environmental legislation.



Ford’s plan to axe speed cameras could worsen Brampton’s sky-high auto insurance rates & lead to more fatalities

Ford’s plan to axe speed cameras could worsen Brampton’s sky-high auto insurance rates & lead to more fatalities

Data show Automated Speed Enforcement cameras significantly reduce speeding in school and community safety zones across Brampton. The effort by officials to curb the city’s infamous dangerous driving is now at risk as Premier Doug Ford is determined to scrap the cameras, calling them a “cash grab”. 

Brampton drivers already struggle with the highest auto insurance rates in Ontario, which could get even worse if the calming effect of speed cameras is removed. 

 



Demolition permits for contaminated GM site revoked in latest setback for blighted property in the middle of St. Catharines

Demolition permits for contaminated GM site revoked in latest setback for blighted property in the middle of St. Catharines

Property records and court documents reveal troubling new information in the saga of the former General Motors site in downtown St. Catharines. More than $2 million in liens could pause development of the contaminated site indefinitely; but the City’s revocation of demolition permits presents an opportunity for the municipality to finally clean up the dangerous industrial lands in the heart of the city. 



Niagara residents protest for better treatment of migrant workers sustaining local industries

Niagara residents protest for better treatment of migrant workers sustaining local industries

Canadians rallied across the country earlier this month in an effort to ‘draw the line’ against government policies that are harming marginalized groups and the environment.

In Niagara, improving the temporary foreign worker system for thousands of critical employees across the region was a main priority. 



PCs ignore call for judges to have final say in removing elected officials

PCs ignore call for judges to have final say in removing elected officials

Leaving the final decision to remove a councillor found guilty of harassment or other bad behaviour in the hands of their fellow elected officials was widely criticized during a set of roundtables hosted by the provincial government this summer.

For experts, it represents a critical flaw in the proposed bill 9, which aims to tighten accountability of municipal officials, ensuring any new legislation will rarely be used. So far, the Ford PCs have refused to make any changes. 



Ontarians ‘Draw The Line’ over anti-environment policies pushed by Carney & Ford

Ontarians ‘Draw The Line’ over anti-environment policies pushed by Carney & Ford

Thousands gathered last weekend at Queen’s Park, uniting their voices against government moves that threaten the environment, Indigenous rights and democratic values.

Why, they ask, are the country’s two most powerful politicians sabotaging the future of younger Canadians?



Public money, unanswered questions: inside Mayor Mat Siscoe’s expense accounts

Public money, unanswered questions: inside Mayor Mat Siscoe’s expense accounts

Several months ago, the City of St. Catharines promised to release details about the expenses of Mayor Mat Siscoe. What has been shared in recent weeks offers taxpayers a vague look at how the mayor uses their money, and falls well short of what is disclosed in the name of transparency by other Ontario municipalities. The opacity allows violations of the expense policy to go unchecked, The Pointer has found. 



Green power vs. green space: In Kawartha Lakes, a solar project is proposed on one of the world’s rarest habitats

Green power vs. green space: In Kawartha Lakes, a solar project is proposed on one of the world’s rarest habitats

The Carden Alvar is recognized as a globally rare ecosystem. One of the last remaining strongholds for many threatened and endangered bird and plant species, naturalists and advocates have worked for decades to preserve it.

Now, a Quebec company wants to construct a massive renewable energy project on the alvar.



Human traffickers racked up $60K in debt under her name; the CRA is compounding her trauma

Human traffickers racked up $60K in debt under her name; the CRA is compounding her trauma

After men preyed on Cassandra Harvey, trapping her in their criminal sex trafficking ring, they piled thousands of dollars of debt onto the young woman, forcibly taking control of her assets. Despite clear evidence, testimony and the recognition of financial institutions that confirmed the debts were fraudulent, subsequently erasing them, the Canada Revenue Agency has failed to follow suit, causing ongoing trauma to Harvey and preventing her from moving on with her life. 



Carney backs ‘reckless’ LNG project & unproven carbon capture being spun as ‘clean’ oil

Carney backs ‘reckless’ LNG project & unproven carbon capture being spun as ‘clean’ oil

When Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his bold new Major Projects Office on September 11, he promised to make Canada “the strongest economy in the G7” and shield Canada from escalating trade wars and tariffs with plans to double LNG exports and build a carbon capture project, moves critics say risk locking in more emissions, not less.



‘Affordability and sustainability don’t need to compete’: green housing advocates urge Carney to see big picture

‘Affordability and sustainability don’t need to compete’: green housing advocates urge Carney to see big picture

Canada’s housing crisis has reached a breaking point, and the federal government is finally stepping in. On September 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney launched Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency aiming to deliver 500,000 new homes annually and restore affordability to a housing market increasingly out of reach for Canadians. 

Climate leaders, builders and advocates are urging the government to build smarter and greener by prioritizing factory-built, all-electric homes powered by technologies like heat pumps and designed to last a century without major retrofits.



EVs left in limbo after Mark Carney hits the brakes on sales mandate

EVs left in limbo after Mark Carney hits the brakes on sales mandate

As global EV adoption races ahead, Canada is pumping the brakes. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s 60-day pause on the country’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate has sparked fierce debate, leaving consumers confused, automakers divided and climate advocates alarmed. 



India continues plot to assassinate Sikhs: Brampton activist warned of imminent danger

India continues plot to assassinate Sikhs: Brampton activist warned of imminent danger

Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a Brampton resident and Sikh activist demanding the Indian government recognize the autonomy of his faith, has received a fresh wave of dire warnings from the RCMP. 

He was recently told his life is in imminent danger, part of the Indian government’s alleged transnational campaign that has targeted Sikh advocates in Canada and the U.S..



Axing school trustees: a cost-saving measure or attack on democracy?

Axing school trustees: a cost-saving measure or attack on democracy?

The PCs’ move to eliminate school trustees and centralize authority over public education in Ontario continues to spur more backlash.

Parents, politicians and disability advocates fear the move will remove stakeholders from their traditional decision making roles, with no mechanisms to hold the government accountable.



The climate crisis might jeopardize your retirement: Experts warn Canada’s pension watchdog is underestimating risks

The climate crisis might jeopardize your retirement: Experts warn Canada’s pension watchdog is underestimating risks

As Canada’s pension system boasts record-breaking assets and promises of long-term stability, climate change is quietly testing those assurances.

Environmental groups Shift and Ecojustice have written to the Office of the Chief Actuary, warning that its reports dangerously underplay the financial risks global warming poses to the Canada Pension Plan and other public funds, putting the retirement security of millions at risk.



‘Shaken our city to its core’: Horrific child sexual assault highlights disturbing trend in Niagara Region

‘Shaken our city to its core’: Horrific child sexual assault highlights disturbing trend in Niagara Region

A nightmare is playing out in Welland following a deeply disturbing sexual assault of a child.

The incident has inflamed concerns about how the justice system handles repeat offenders and comes as Niagara Police are grappling with a startling rise in many types of sexual crimes across Niagara. 



Ford, transport minister make string of misleading claims as Highway 413 construction ‘begins’

Ford, transport minister make string of misleading claims as Highway 413 construction ‘begins’

Truck horns blared and STOPTHE413 signs lined the roadsides as Premier Doug Ford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria declared the “beginning” of Highway 413 construction in Caledon on August 27. 

Despite the fanfare, what’s actually underway isn’t the highway itself — just a few “early works”. 

After the 26-minute press conference, The Pointer fact-checked statements made by Ford, Sarkaria and Caledon Mayor Annette Groves, uncovering repeated exaggerations and misleading claims.



Greenbelt report offers toolkit for municipalities; protecting nature is Ontario’s smartest investment

Greenbelt report offers toolkit for municipalities; protecting nature is Ontario’s smartest investment

As climate pressures mount and urban landscapes expand, Ontario’s cities are starting to see nature not just as green spaces but as critical infrastructure.

The Greenbelt Foundation’s new report on Natural Asset Management urges municipalities to recognize and manage natural ecosystems like forests and wetlands alongside traditional infrastructure. 



Carney has not prioritized gender-based violence; Trump has felt the backlash this can cause

Carney has not prioritized gender-based violence; Trump has felt the backlash this can cause

The controversy surrounding Donald Trump and the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein has made it clear that the unchecked abuse of women, and politicians who don’t seem to care has the ability to galvanize public opposition. If Prime Minister Mark Carney makes an 81 percent cut to the department responsible for ending gender-based violence in Canada, which is what’s being projected, frontline service providers are already preparing a similar backlash. 



‘A vehicle for unchecked abuse’: Firing of popular CAO latest example of strong mayor powers wreaking havoc in small town Ontario

‘A vehicle for unchecked abuse’: Firing of popular CAO latest example of strong mayor powers wreaking havoc in small town Ontario

The firing of a CAO in Haldimand County has drawn widespread criticism against the municipality's mayor. Shelley Ann Bentley first refused to accept the provincial powers, then did so behind her council’s back, two months after an independent investigation launched by the CAO implicated her in the leaking of confidential information. Shortly after the popular CAO’s actions to ensure accountability, she was fired.  

The fiasco has ignited debate about the PCs’ strong mayor legislation that has been criticized as undemocratic. A recent report has revealed it’s not achieving its goal of helping facilitate housing development. 



PC expansion of housing fund still falls well short of Peel’s needs

PC expansion of housing fund still falls well short of Peel’s needs

During the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa, Premier Doug Ford announced a funding increase to help the province’s cities and towns build new housing. But stakeholders say the amount falls far short of what is needed in Peel, and hundreds of other municipalities across Ontario. 



Niagara council rejects bid for $40M taxpayer incentive to fund luxury homes

Niagara council rejects bid for $40M taxpayer incentive to fund luxury homes

Regional councillors have denied a $40 million grant request from a developer looking to build a luxury housing project in Welland.

The warnings about the financial strain it would place on the upper-tier municipality, and the lack of affordable housing options included in the project did not stop staunch council supporters from attempting delay tactics to keep the grant request alive. 



‘Cuts would directly impact freshwater restoration’: Leaked texts hint that Carney’s cuts will target water protection agency

‘Cuts would directly impact freshwater restoration’: Leaked texts hint that Carney’s cuts will target water protection agency

As Ottawa prepares for fiscal belt tightening under Prime Minister Mark Carney, leaked internal messages reveal the newly minted Canada Water Agency may be next on the chopping block, just months after it was established to protect Canada’s lakes and rivers.

With freshwater ecosystems already under siege from development and GHGs, experts and advocates warn that slashing the agency’s funding could unravel years of progress and repeat the environmental austerity mistakes of the past.



Brampton immigration firm’s guilty plea comes as PCs push stricter legislation to deal with fraud

Brampton immigration firm’s guilty plea comes as PCs push stricter legislation to deal with fraud

As concerns over Canada’s poorly managed immigration system continue to spread, Brampton-based Gandhi Immigration Limited serves as an example of abuse that has plagued the sector. 

The director of the firm was, according to Ontario’s Attorney General, responsible for wrongdoing that led to a $40,000 fine for wilfully misrepresenting two immigration files by adding fake work experience to the applications of clients hoping to settle in Canada. The PCs have tabled tough new legislation to combat chronic problems in the immigration consulting sector.



Furious Caledon residents push back against mayor's plan to dump construction waste into lakes and other bodies of water

Furious Caledon residents push back against mayor's plan to dump construction waste into lakes and other bodies of water

After approving a controversial plan to dump construction fill into Swan Lake, a protected Greenbelt water body, Caledon Council is now pushing a new Site Alteration Bylaw that could make such decisions more common in the future.

Residents and environmental advocates fear the bylaw will open the door to widespread dumping below the water table across rural Caledon, putting groundwater and the Credit River watershed at risk. The legality of the highly controversial move under existing federal environmental law has not yet been tested.



$40M taxpayer incentive for Welland development rejected—council to make final decision Thursday 

$40M taxpayer incentive for Welland development rejected—council to make final decision Thursday 

In a surprise move, Niagara regional councillors have rejected a $40 million grant request for luxury homes in Welland. While the vote sends a message to the supporters of these questionable grant programs which have provided millions of Niagara taxpayer dollars to developers, another vote on the matter will return to council on August 28 for a final decision. 



Delay dressed as diligence: a community calls on Huron Shores' council for truth and action

Delay dressed as diligence: a community calls on Huron Shores' council for truth and action

Infrastructure failures have drastic consequences for communities big and small. They require rapid, coordinated action from local elected officials. 

But what happens when this responsibility is ignored? Where do residents turn? 

Community advocates in one northern Ontario municipality are desperate for answers after a bridge closure has been drawn out for months, with no end in sight. 



Parks & Risks: PC plans for three provincial parks could set ‘dangerous precedent’

Parks & Risks: PC plans for three provincial parks could set ‘dangerous precedent’

Some of Ontario’s favourite camping spots, nestled near habitats home to many endangered and at-risk species, are facing development pressures under plans by the provincial government. The PC move to transfer parts of Wasaga Beach to municipal control for tourism development has raised red flags; the risk of commercialization could forever alter the park’s delicate ecosystem. 

A few hours north, the government's proposal to widen Highway 69 threatens portions of Grundy Lake and French River provincial parks, where even small land removals for development could disrupt fragile habitats and wildlife corridors. 



After attempting to silence advocates Councillor Mike Strange faces integrity commissioner complaint

After attempting to silence advocates Councillor Mike Strange faces integrity commissioner complaint

When Niagara Falls Councillor Mike Strange attempted to rally members of the Falls View Hose Brigade to block “that women’s group” from sitting in the council chambers, the scheme drew widespread condemnation.

Now, the actions of the embattled politician, who is also facing a criminal intimate partner violence charge, are being investigated by the City’s integrity commissioner.



Under current council, the number of residents at risk of losing their home or business is skyrocketing

Under current council, the number of residents at risk of losing their home or business is skyrocketing

Data released by the City of Niagara Falls has exposed a disturbing trend. As property taxes have increased under the current council led by Mayor Jim Diodati, the number of properties in tax arrears has spiked.

The trend reveals the troubling impact of council decision making disconnected from the needs of residents facing significant affordability pressures. 



Ontario needs strong provincial legislation to hold mayors & municipal councils accountable

Ontario needs strong provincial legislation to hold mayors & municipal councils accountable

With the rapid erosion of accountability in the municipal government sector, sped up by Doug Ford’s determination to hand even more power to mayors, proposed provincial legislation to protect residents from abusive municipal elected officials is needed now more than ever. 

Ontario’s municipal taxpayers also desperately need updated legislation to overhaul woefully inadequate accountability mechanisms meant to keep local elected representatives in check. The current system has created a dire situation for residents whose tax dollars are open to widespread abuse in the province’s municipal government sector.



From a grade school speech to a provincial movement: Emily McIntosh, Bill 9 & the fight for accountability in Ontario

From a grade school speech to a provincial movement: Emily McIntosh, Bill 9 & the fight for accountability in Ontario

As the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference begins, nearly half of Ontario’s municipalities have already signed onto the cause promoted by The Women of Ontario Say No. Founder Emily McIntosh is determined to make Bill 9 stronger—so local elected officials who behave abusively are held accountable.



Canada’s 2025 wildfire season a wake-up call—more populated areas are under threat

Canada’s 2025 wildfire season a wake-up call—more populated areas are under threat

Once thought of as a distant danger, wildfires are now igniting in southern Ontario’s backyard, fuelled by record heat, drought and a changing climate. Fire seasons are stretching longer across the country with increasingly volatile conditions and open-fire bans across much of Southern Ontario due to extremely hot, dry conditions.

In Kawartha Lakes, known for its serene cottages, August brought multiple blazes that spread through parched forests. Experts warn that more Ontario communities, like other parts of the country that have been forced to evacuate, will face increased risks in the future.



After more than a year working without a contract, Peel Paramedics get ‘monumental’ pay boost

After more than a year working without a contract, Peel Paramedics get ‘monumental’ pay boost

After a year of stalled negotiations with the Region of Peel over pay disparity, mental health support and chronic underfunding, Peel Paramedics reached a tentative deal late July, achieving key gains in some areas including wages, while other issues are still unresolved.



Niagara municipalities rallying against centralization of frontline healthcare as funding for new $3.6B regional hospital stalls

Niagara municipalities rallying against centralization of frontline healthcare as funding for new $3.6B regional hospital stalls

The cost of the new South Niagara Hospital is not the only issue many residents have drawn attention to. Outside Niagara Falls, where the facility is being constructed, many are voicing anger over the loss of community-based healthcare in favour of more regional coverage out of the new hospital. Across Niagara, residents are rallying to save local services including facilities slated for closure.



Welland wants $40M from Niagara taxpayers to incentivize developer planning luxury homes

Welland wants $40M from Niagara taxpayers to incentivize developer planning luxury homes

Following controversy over recent years around taxpayer subsidies to developers, who expect the public to cover a range of costs to maximize their own profits, Welland is now facing a similar demand. And Mayor Frank Campion has gotten behind the request, which could see taxpayers cover a total of $80 million so the builder in question can avoid paying various costs to get its project to market.



Mark Carney’s climate balancing act: clean energy promises & fossil fuel realities

Mark Carney’s climate balancing act: clean energy promises & fossil fuel realities

As Canada stands at a critical point between fossil-fuel dependence and a clean energy future, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first few months in office have revealed a balancing act between climate ambition and industry appeasement. From scrapping the federal consumer carbon tax to hinting at new oil pipelines— while touting renewable growth—his policies have sparked debate over whether Canada will help lead the global energy transition or cling to a carbon-based future. 



Seniors, renters without AC most vulnerable during continuous heatwaves

Seniors, renters without AC most vulnerable during continuous heatwaves

As Ontario faces another extreme heat warning once again this weekend, the difference between those who can stay cool and those who can’t is becoming a life-threatening crisis. Seniors and renters, especially in aging buildings across southern Ontario, are trapped without reliable air conditioning as heatwaves grow more intense. A recent UN report warns extreme heat disproportionately harms the elderly and low-income groups worldwide. Yet in Ontario, outdated laws and lack of enforcement leave many vulnerable to dangerous conditions. Advocates argue that access to cooling must be treated as an essential human right, not a luxury.



Dog owner accused in horrific animal abuse case repeatedly fails to show up in court

Dog owner accused in horrific animal abuse case repeatedly fails to show up in court

Despite her failure to show up for two scheduled court dates, the charges against Carly Young in relation to the tragic death of Dakota, her German shepherd, will go to trial on September 18. 

Animal advocates worry the ongoing reluctance by the police and justice system to file criminal charges for animal cruelty allows abusers to avoid accountability. 



A group of conservation authorities are turning to nature to protect Lake Ontario’s future

A group of conservation authorities are turning to nature to protect Lake Ontario’s future

The Lake Ontario shoreline, once protected against erosion by concrete barriers, is now grappling with the intensified impacts of climate change. Rather than relying on more concrete, a groundbreaking initiative is looking to nature for answers.

The Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project, launched by three conservation authorities, is exploring innovative, nature-based solutions to tackle rising waters and shifting landscapes. With a science-driven, collaborative approach, the project unites conservationists, municipalities, and communities to reshape the future of the coastline, offering a sustainable and resilient path forward for both the environment and the people who rely on it.



Battle brewing over police spending in Niagara

Battle brewing over police spending in Niagara

Inconsistencies in provincial grant funding are putting pressure on critical investigative work carried out by the Niagara Police.

At the same time, the police services board is signalling it simply can not meet the demand by regional council to cut back next year’s budget request, which a report from the Chief is equating to “defunding the police”. 



Ontarians are paying more for less as climate change hits insurance rates: advocates are demanding answers

Ontarians are paying more for less as climate change hits insurance rates: advocates are demanding answers

As home insurance premiums soar across Ontario, an advocacy group is raising concerns over the lack of transparency in the insurance industry regarding the financial impacts of climate change. They fear governments are failing to protect homeowners by allowing insurance companies to quietly hike premiums as a result of an increasingly unpredictable climate, without disclosing exactly how they are determining the final numbers handed to customers on their bills.

The concern is that these hidden costs could push premiums beyond what many can afford, all while keeping the public in the dark about the real risks involved.



‘It's about avoiding scrutiny’: Niagara residents deterred from filing complaints against Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Mike Strange

‘It's about avoiding scrutiny’: Niagara residents deterred from filing complaints against Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor Mike Strange

After weeks of controversy inside City Hall, including the arrest of three peaceful demonstrators, procedural barriers are preventing residents from filing complaints against what they see as biased and unethical conduct by their elected officials.