Those calling for his ousting are undermining the very principles of justice that they claim to support

Published Oct 10, 2025 • Last updated 7 minutes ago • 4 minute read

Sault Ste. Marie MPP Chris Scott has been accused of a serious crime, but he has not been convicted. JEFFREY OUGLER/THE SAULT STAR

We all, at least in theory, believe in the concept of innocent until proven guilty. It is the foundation of the criminal justice system. Without it, there is no justice.

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In theory, this is a simple concept to get behind.

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On Sept. 22, Sault Ste Marie MPP Chris Scott was arrested in Toronto on a warrant issued by the Sault Ste Marie Police Service. He was charged with assault with a weapon for allegedly assaulting his wife on Sept. 19. He was arraigned, posted bail and was released on conditions

This is an emotional time and people are angry.

Sault Ste Marie, like far too many cities, is plagued by intimate partner violence. It impacts everyone. Whether or not we are victims, have seen our friends, parents and siblings live with the scars. Intimate partner violence ruins lives.

Chris Scott has been accused of a serious crime, but he has not been convicted. Many have rushed to judgment. More still believe he should no longer be an MPP. While assumption of innocence is a fundamental value, it’s hard to blame victims and their allies for letting their emotions get the better of them. Elected officials, however, need to be held to a higher standard.

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From them we must demand reason over passion, fact over rumour and unconditional support of the rule of law. Many have not met that standard.

The Ontario Party candidate for Sault Ste. Marie, the Ontario Federation of Labour, Provincial NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Matthew Shoemaker have all called for Chris Scott to resign. In doing so, they have undermined the very principles of justice that they claim to support.

Paul Frolich, the Ontario Party candidate for Sault Ste. Marie, stated the charges against Mr. Scott “are not mere whispers, they are a profound betrayal of the trust voters placed in him” and he should resign immediately. While we share his intolerance for intimate partner violence, Section 2 of his party’s principles states, “We believe in the presumption of innocence and the right to justice and a fair trial without undue delay regardless of economic circumstances, social standing, ethnic, cultural, or ideological affiliation, or biological trait.”

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Laura Walton, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour (OPL) stated that “It is time for him [Chris Scott] to step aside so Sault Ste. Marie has an MPP who is ready to lead and won’t cause further harm to the community, or shame to the position they hold.” Her statement is inconsistent with Article II, Sect 6 of the OPL constitution which states that the purpose of the Federation is “To protect and strengthen our democratic institutions, to secure full recognition and enjoyment of the rights and liberties to which we are justly entitled, and to preserve and perpetuate the cherished traditions of our democracy and working people.”

Clearly, both Frolich and Walton have strong views on intimate partner violence. However, both have made statements that are at odds with their organization’s values. While they are clearly engaged and public figures, they are not public office holders. When it comes to the rule of law, public officer holders must be held to a higher standard.

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Marit Stiles, leader of the New Democratic Party and Matthew Shoemaker, Mayor of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, have been quick to call for Chris Scott’s resignation.

On Sept. 22, the day that Chris Scott was arrested, the Ontario NDP called for his resignation. The NDP candidate in Sault Ste Marie lost to Mr. Scott by 114 votes. It would be naïve to think that Marit Stiles does not see opportunity to gain another seat for her party in a byelection. But in doing so, we can’t ignore the fact that she is being selective in her application of the rule of law. By demanding his resignation, before the outcome of a trial, Stiles has effectively ignored a fundamental principle of justice; the presumption of innocence (to her credit, the Sault Ste. Marie NDP candidate, Lisa Vezeau-Allen has not called for Scott’s resignation).

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As an elected official, Marit Stiles is duty bound to defend and support the rule of law and the assumption of innocence. She has failed to do so.

Shoemaker also called for Scott’s resignation. As mayor, Shoemaker is dealing with an addiction epidemic, public safety concerns and tariffs that threaten Algoma Steel’s future. It seems that our city is facing crisis after crisis, and it is logical that the mayor wants all hands on deck. The mayor has a lot on his plate, and I can understand his frustration. But he is also a lawyer who has taken an oath to “champion the rule of law and safeguard the rights and freedoms of all persons.”

Both Marit Stiles and Matthew Shoemaker are diligent, hardworking and responsible public office holders who work every day to make government work better. We may not always agree with their vision, but we can’t question their commitment to public service. Whether biased by ambition or frustration, their calls for Chris Scott to resign, before the allegations have been proven in court, are wrong.

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The rules of the Ontario legislature state that if a member is handed a sentence of more than two years, they can no longer hold their seat. Should Scott be convicted, regardless of the length of his sentence, he should resign immediately. That is the higher standard we demand of him.

The higher standard we must expect from the others is that they defend the rights of any accused, that they support the rule of law and that they use reason over passion.

If they don’t have faith in the justice system, how can they expect us to?

*Donald McFarling is the former executive assistant to Carmen Provenzano, Sault Ste. Marie MP from 1997 to 2004. He is currently an assistant professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, Department of Economics and Political Science. *

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