Regina Coun. Terina Shaw faces no punishment after 2 complaints to integrity commissioner

A Regina city councillorwill not face punishment in connection with two separate complaints made to the city's integrity commissionerabout comments shemade.

Ward 7 Coun. Terina Shawfaced complaints over comments residents said were racist and violated the city's code of ethics, and over comments made to a fellow councillor.

Shaw has also drawn controversy with her comments on conversion therapyand homelessness.

On Wednesday, city council chose to not follow the recommendation of the city'sintegrity commissioner, who saidShaw shouldbe sanctioned and directed totake classes on how to communicate respectfully.

"I've always been somebody who communicates in a very frank manner and realize that my approach can at times be misinterpreted as being disrespectful or dismissive. This is not my intent," Shaw said at Wednesday's council meeting.

Council appeared to be convinced byShaw, who disclosed that she's impulsive and speaks without thinking as a result of a medical condition.

"I let people know that are close to methat I suffer from a severe brain injury andattention deficit disorder," she said.

Shaw said that she does not feel ashamed about her health issues and that she offered the information as an explanation, not an excuse.

One of the complaints against the first-term councillor was over comments she made in January during a private, virtual meeting of councillors.

In the meeting's chat function, Shaw told Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniakto "leave [her] lecturing to a personal conversation instead of wasting my time."

That incident was part of a number of issues that were brought tointegrity commissionerAngela Kruk'sattention by Coun. Andrew Stevens (Ward 3) when he filedcomplaintsagainst Shaw.

The incident with Zachidniakwas the only one deemed to be founded, with Krukruling the comments were not respectful or courteous.

On Wednesday, Shaw said she had apologized toZachidniakprivately and publicly apologizedfor her comments.

She also saidshe has spoken with her doctor, who recommended she see a therapist who specializes in attention deficit disorder. Shaw also said the doctor recommended sheprepare questions ahead of council meetings, in order to avoid askingquestions that mayunintentionally offend others.

Council voted 5-2for an amendment that wouldmean Shaw would not be reprimanded.

"She has outlined how she has sought professional assistance and will continue to seek professional assistance," said Coun. Bob Hawkins (Ward 2) who moved the motion to not punish Shaw. "I think there's nothing further that this council needs to do."

Only Mayor Sandra Masters and Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk(Ward 1) voted against the amendment.

During a post-council media scrum, Shaw revealed that another complaint made against her hadbeen deemed unfounded by the integrity commissioner.

The complaint, writtenby Regina residentsFlorence Stratton and Susana Derangerand signed by 45 other people, outlined two incidentsthey said wereracist, promoted stereotypes and violated the City of Regina's code of ethics bylaw.

The complaint alleged that during aJan. 26meeting of Regina's executive council,Shaw made comments that implied Indigenous men are sexual predators.

The second incident took place during a June 15 meeting of city council, whereShaw made comments aboutIndigenous peoples choosing to be homeless.

Interim city managerJim Nicoland Mayor Masters confirmed that there would be no investigation into Shaw's comments.The results of complaints are normally only made public if they're deemed to be founded and are then investigated.

However, the way the complaints were publicized meant more people got to know, Masters said.

"Because of the public nature of how those complaints have been conveyed, I said it was only fair that [Shaw]be apprised that it was not moving forward," the mayor said.

In June, Masters made an apology forShaw's comments.

Shaw has maintained she did nothing wrong and on Wednesday repeated that she believes her questions were twisted and misunderstood.

She said that in the private sector, she was never judged on her first response. However, that has changed since she was elected to public office, she said.

"I am judged for every word I say."