On March 12, 2026, lawyers for two residents of Grimsby, Ontario, filed official responses to a second human rights complaint started by a local town councillor. The legal filings were made on behalf of David Sharpe and Duncan Storey after Councillor Jennifer Korstanje claimed their social media comments were a form of illegal retaliation.
The new complaint focuses on a Facebook post that criticized an earlier legal claim made by the councillor in 2025. According to the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, the residents argue their online comments are protected speech about local politics and do not break any rules.
This legal disagreement began on July 27, 2025, when Councillor Korstanje filed her first complaint with a provincial human rights group. In that case, she claimed that several years of comments on the Grimsby Independent News Facebook page were a form of harassment and discrimination based on her gender.
The lawyers representing the residents say the councillor’s newest complaint is an attempt to stop people from criticizing an elected official. They argue that the social media post in question does not meet the legal requirements to be considered a punishment or retaliation under provincial laws.
The matter is now waiting for further review to determine if the case will move forward. Duncan Storey operates the Grimsby Independent News page, while David Sharpe has stated he is not involved with the online group.
