Statement from Mayor Wade Mills February 7, 2023

Statement from Mayor Wade Mills February 7, 2023 

A local newspaper article released on February 7, 2023 has raised serious and specific allegations of racism occurring between members of the Shelburne and District Fire Department (SDFD).

The Town of Shelburne treats all allegations of racism, discrimination and harassment very seriously and is committed to continuing to be a municipal leader in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. In this particular case however, it must be clearly understood that the SDFD is not a department of the Town of Shelburne which was not clearly explained in the article. 

The SDFD is managed by a third-party board of management which is comprised of representatives from a number of local municipalities (Amaranth, Melancthon, Mono, Mulmur and Shelburne). This board employs all members of the SDFD including the Chief, and the board operates as its own independent entity. 

As such, the Town of Shelburne has no jurisdiction over board matters and therefore neither Town Council nor Town staff can provide comments on the issues and allegations raised in the article.

Mayor Wade Mills

For additional information please contact: 

Wade Mills | Mayor
wmills@shelburne.ca 

Denyse Morrissey | Chief Administrative Officer B.A; M.P.A.
dmorrissey@shelburne.ca