A council member in Dryden, Ontario, who was instructed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to pay the city $17,000 has affirmed his intention to participate in the upcoming municipal election. The City of Dryden received multiple complaints regarding Coun. Ritch Noel in late December 2024 and early January 2025, leading to an external investigation that revealed Noel had engaged in bullying and harassment of city staff.
As a result, the city prohibited Noel from attending council meetings or city events in person until he completed a workplace civility training program. Noel challenged this decision by filing a Divisional Court application for a judicial review, alleging that the city exceeded its authority, unfairly relied on the investigator’s findings, denied him due process, and violated his constitutional rights. However, the court dismissed the matter after a video conference hearing on June 16.
Justice Karen Jensen, in her ruling, stated that the council had the authority to implement the corrective actions and ensured procedural fairness for Noel. She also affirmed that the council’s reliance on the investigator’s findings was reasonable and that the temporary attendance restriction was a balanced approach considering Noel’s rights and the city’s obligations.
Dryden, located about 350 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay, is home to approximately 7,400 residents. Noel, a paralegal, has faced eight investigations by the city’s integrity commissioner since his election in 2022. Two cases where Noel was found guilty of misconduct include a Facebook comment he made about a deceased member of Eagle Lake First Nation in July 2025 and a violation of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act in May 2026.
When contacted by CBC News for comment on the court ruling and his election plans, Noel confirmed his continued candidacy, emphasizing his commitment to the safety and well-being of workers. His lawyer, Robert Sinding, representing him from Emo, Ontario, expressed Noel’s intention to appeal the decision. Sinding refuted the allegations of harassment as politically motivated and emphasized Noel’s dedication to advocating for accountability and the public interest.
Noel remains resolute in his leadership approach, vowing to challenge council and senior staff when necessary, despite ongoing legal challenges and complaints against him.
