(Wingham, North Huron) At the January 12, 2026, North Huron council meeting, Reeve Paul Heffer disrupted proceedings to confront the peaceful, silent public and press gallery. It should be noted that council continues to refuse to answer public questions—despite being paid to do so. (Next council meeting is 02Feb)
Reeve Heffer asked, “Are you recording?”
Public/Press Gallery responded: “I don’t answer questions—that’s your job.”
Reeve Paul Heffer then declared that anyone recording was required to leave. Despite zero evidence that any recording was taking place, 911 was immediately called and the entire public and press gallery was removed.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrived and detained everyone under threat of arrest, demanding identification before allowing anyone to leave—despite no charges being laid and no offence identified.
Wingham Wakening “Raise a little Hell February 2nd”
Are video recording prohibitions legal in Ontario?
Council chambers are not a free-for-all media zone; they are a workplace where elected officials conduct the public’s business. Ontario law expressly empowers Council to govern its own proceedings through a procedure by-law. The public’s right is to attend and observe, not to convert proceedings into a personal broadcast operation. The Township already meets transparency expectations by livestreaming and archiving meetings, while the camera ban protects order, safety, and the willingness of residents and staff to participate without fear of being clipped and targeted online. In Canadian public institutions—including courts and tribunals—recording is commonly restricted to preserve fairness and integrity. For these reasons, North Huron’s by-law is a reasonable, content-neutral rule that Council is entitled to enforce.