KINGSTON — Sydenham District Coun. Peter Stroud was docked a month’s pay as penalty for an altercation last year with a city bus driver.

Councillor voted to accept the findings of the city’s integrity commissioner, Jeffrey A. Abrams of Principles Integrity, and to withhold a month’s pay and post the report where it can be publicly accessible.

In June 2019, Kingston Police charged Stroud with causing a disturbance and mischief to property under $5,000 after an altercation with a Kingston Transit bus driver. The Crown withdrew the charges last September when Stroud completed a diversion program and provided a letter of apology.

Abrams’ report determined that Stroud “exhibited a callous disregard for the safety and well-being of others who were impacted by his actions during the event, including by disrupting and detaining the bus and its passengers on their route.”

Stroud did not comment about the report’s findings at the meeting.

The weight of the decisions presented to council on Tuesday night were not lost on councillors, many of whom said they were conflicted at having to pass judgment on one of their own.

Lakeside District Coun. Wayne Hill said he regretted having to vote, but he added there is a process to follow.

“The way forward is a difficult one, but it is clear,” he said.

Williamsville District Coun. Jim Neill noted he has been friends with Stroud longer than they have been council colleagues, but Neill, too, said that actions require consequences

“I am reluctant, but the recommendations in this report support that,” Neill said.

“This incident does not define the councillor as a person,” added Countryside District Coun. Gary Oosterhof.

Stroud was not without supporters around the council table.

Collins-Bayridge District Coun. Lisa Osanic said council was not bound by the recommendations in the integrity commissioner’s report, and she said the financial penalty was not proportionate to the offence.

Osanic and Kingscourt-Rideau District Coun. Mary Rita Holland voted against the levy of a financial penalty.

Mayor Bryan Paterson called it an “unfortunate and difficult situation,” but he added that the code of conduct had been violated.

“We have an IC for a reason,” Paterson said. “At the end of the day, what is the message we are going to send our community?”

Paterson initially spoke against posting the integrity commissioner’s report online — somewhat of a moot point as it was included in the agenda package for Tuesday night’s meeting — but was persuaded to change his mind when he was reminded of the need for transparency and openness.

King’s Town District Coun. Rob Hutchison said voting not to publish it online would set a precedent for future integrity commissioner’s reports.

“It’s perilously close to sweeping something under the rug,” Hutchison said. “It’s supposed to be there as a warning.”