MPP Chris Scott’s silence speaks 'louder than words': expert

SAULT STE. MARIE -— It has been four days since MPP Chris Scott was accused of assaulting his wife and he still hasn’t responded to interview requests from SooToday or issued a public statement to constituents in Sault Ste. Marie.

Scott was arrested on Sunday night by Toronto police after his wife filed a complaint with the Sault Police Service, which charged the rookie MPP with assault with a weapon and assault.

His wife alleges Scott committed an assault using a high chair as “a weapon.” 

“Silence often speaks louder than words,” said Wojtek Dabrowski, managing partner at Sovereign Advisory Inc., a strategic communications consulting firm based in Toronto. 

“When you refuse to say anything at all – even when you're constrained given that there's an active police investigation – you're not doing yourself any favours by staying silent. 

“What ends up happening is that story . . . that narrative rolls on without you participating. And it's filled by other voices, people like me,” he said. 

Third-party experts “will not be as favourable to your position as you yourself would be with a statement,” Dabrowski said, adding that the police investigation and upcoming court case would make it a challenge regarding what Scott could say. 

“You don't want to say anything in public that will harm your legal defence,” Dabrowski added. 

“So to some extent his silence is understandable. But at a minimum you would typically see the legal counsel representing the person come out and say something like ‘my client is cooperating with police’ and that ‘he or she looks forward to their day in court.’” 

“Alternatively, if the person plans to plead not guilty and believes the charges are false, you would have your lawyer come out and say: ‘My client is going to defend themselves in court and believes that these charges are false and he’s not guilty.’

“But when you have silence, you sort of leave everything open to other voices that will enter the conversation to fill the void. And as they say, that's not really helpful to your position.”

Toronto-based lawyer Michael Lacy, who is representing Scott, has not responded to an interview request or to questions sent via email.

Scott was released on $5,000 bail. 

Reached by The Sault Star on Monday, Scott called the charges “baseless” and said he plans to say more in time.

“I need to collect my thoughts and process what happened during the worst day of my life,” he said.

“I just walked out of there 10 minutes ago . . . I’ll have more to say in the near future.”

Dabrowski said Scott should release a statement – and the most impactful way for him to do this would be by holding a media conference where he reads what he wants to say. 

“We don't know the facts yet . . . so we don't know his position on it.” 

Scott would read his statement and then probably walk away, Dabrowski said, “because his lawyer wouldn’t allow him to take questions.” 

A statement issued by Scott’s office without a public appearance would be less impactful “because you're not out there in the flesh with your voice addressing the situation,” he said. 

Dabrowski wasn’t sure if Scott would be able to recover his reputation with this looming court case.

“It all comes down to the outcome of the case. I have a hard time imagining him being re-elected or even being able to stand for re-election if he's found guilty,” he said. 

According to section 750 of the Criminal Code of Canada, if an elected official or public employee is convicted of an indictable offence and sentenced to two years or more in prison, “the office or employment forthwith becomes vacant."

Scott’s charges — assault and assault with a weapon — carry maximum penalties of five and 10 years, respectively.

While Dabrowski doesn’t feel Scott has handled the situation very well, he said Premier Doug Ford did the right thing by expelling the 35-year-old from his caucus on Monday morning.

“Doug Ford acted immediately and decisively to remove him from caucus, so I'd give full marks to the party leadership.” 

Scott will return to court on Oct. 22. 

None of the allegations have been tested in court and Scott is considered innocent until proven guilty.

Although his website is now offline, the note taped to Scott's office door in the Sault said constituents who need assistance can call 705-949-6959 or email [email protected].