(Wingham, North Huron) Area residents are reporting that bylaw enforcement officers have been trespassing onto private property, harassing and threatening citizens, taking photographs without consent, and violating Charter rights.
Several incidents have reportedly occurred in which a North Huron bylaw enforcement officer requested that the OPP attend with them at a resident’s home. Homeowners directed the OPP to leave the property, and officers immediately complied. According to those reports, the bylaw officer claimed to have more authority than a police officer and stated they did not have to leave when requested. The OPP then reportedly corrected the bylaw officer, informing them that they also had to leave or face arrest. That is the law.
A previous CAO of North Huron publicly stated that municipal bylaws do not apply to private property, explaining that they are bylaws governing the Corporation of North Huron rather than its customers. That CAO is no longer in the position. The current CAO, Nelson Santos, reportedly holds the opposite view. The Corporation of North Huron takes the position that many of its own bylaws do not apply to the Corporation itself.
The next North Huron Council meeting is scheduled for August 10, 2026.
North Huron Council Contact Info:
Paul Heffer
280 Manor Road
(519) 357-3594
pheffer@northhuron.ca
Mitch Wright
63 Bristol Terrace
(519) 357-9497
mwright@northhuron.ca
Lonnie Whitfield
94 John St. West
(226) 222-2585
lwhitfield@northhuron.ca
Anita van Hittersum
84012 Hoover Line
(519) 523-4492
avanhittersum@northhuron.ca
Chris Palmer
39331 Belfast Road
(519) 357-3385
cpalmer@northhuron.ca
Kevin Fascist Falconer
303 King Street
(519) 955-0301
kfalconer@northhuron.ca
Ric McBurney
202 Thuell St, Blyth
(519) 441-7415
rmcburney@northhuron.ca