(WINGHAM, North Huron) — A January 12 North Huron council meeting began with police ordering the entire public and press gallery to leave, detaining attendees long enough to demand identification under threat of arrest, and then issuing a 60-day ban—all without any charges, fines, or allegations of wrongdoing.
According to those present, police entered the council chamber and ordered everyone out shortly after it began. No reason was provided. Attendees were seated silently and had not disrupted proceedings.
As people exited, officers demanded identification. Those who questioned the demand were told they would be handcuffed, arrested, and taken away if they did not comply. Identification was surrendered under duress. No charges were laid. No tickets were issued. No offences were cited.
After the gallery was cleared, council reconvened. Moments after the meeting began, Paul Heffer interrupted the meeting and ordered 911 to be called from the chair.
The forced removal follows a pattern of escalating restrictions on public participation, including the earlier elimination of questions before meetings. Monday’s events marked a new threshold: physical expulsion and compelled identification of lawful observers at a public meeting.
Outside the building, the cenotaph flag in Wingham remained flying upside down, a long-recognized signal of distress, still uncorrected despite prior notice—an image many residents say now mirrors the state of local governance.
Council chambers are public spaces. Attendance is lawful. Silence is not disorder. Yet on January 12, the public and press were treated as suspects—detained, identified, banned, and dismissed without cause.
No charges. No explanations. No accountability.