Indigenous leaders and residents in Sarnia, Ontario, have launched a petition and filed official complaints against City Councillor Bill Dennis following his public remarks about local Indigenous communities. The controversy began after the councillor criticized a new Indigenous-themed mural at city hall and threatened to end the UNDRIP partnership agreement between the city and local First Nations.
Chief Leela Thomas of the Walpole Island First Nation filed a formal complaint with the city’s Integrity Commissioner on March 19, 2026. Chief Kimberly Bressette of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation also filed a complaint, stating that the councillor’s comments on social media appeared to be inciting violence to the community.
A petition on Change.org calling for the councillor’s removal from office has gathered more than 3,200 signatures as of March 23, 2026. The petition follows comments where the councillor described a mural by artist Kennady Osborne as “virtue signalling” and claimed that the region’s land was conquered rather than stolen.
According to the City of Sarnia, a special council meeting has been called for March 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. to address the situation. Mayor Mike Bradley described the comments as a tipping point of hatred and racism that attempts to disenfranchise thousands of Indigenous residents.
Councillor Dennis has defended his statements, saying he is not a racist and that his views have been misunderstood. The councillor, who previously received a formal reprimand from the county council in 2024 for similar comments, has stated that he believes everyone should be treated the same.
