Protesters hold signs and red cards that signify a foul and an ejection (as in soccer) during the debate on a motion asking London Mayor Joe Fontana to take a leave of absence with pay until final disposition of the criminal charges against him in London, Ontario, Tuesday, December 11, 2012. The motion was defeated by a council vote of 8-5.Dave Chidley/The Canadian Press
A motion calling on the mayor of London, Ont., to step aside while criminal charges relating to his time as an MP are dealt with has been defeated.
Council voted 8-5 against the motion on Tuesday night before a packed gallery of both supporters and critics. Mayor Joe Fontana abstained and one councillor was absent.
RCMP charged Mr. Fontana in November with fraud under $5,000, breach of trust by a public official and uttering forged documents.
The charges are related to allegations he inappropriately used federal government funds while he was a member of Parliament to help pay for his son's wedding reception in 2005.
Mr. Fontana, a former federal cabinet minister, has denied any wrongdoing and is to appear in court on Jan. 8.
The motion brought forward by Councillor Joni Baechler – which passed at a civic committee – was a symbolic one.
Under Ontario's Municipal Act, Mr. Fontana cannot be forced to resign.
Ms. Baechler said it was important for city council to debate the issue in public.