Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy explained the city approach to new criminal charges against councillor Ahmed Yousef in an online post, and many people weighed in with comments, including at least one provincial politician.
Ruimy said the city is aware of four sexual assault charges announced against Yousef.
“As this matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate for the city or council to comment on the details,” said Ruimy.
On Jan. 15, in Port Coquitlam provincial court, the new charges were sworn against Ahmed Antar Yousef Mohamed. Threecharges involve one complainant, and one charge is in relation to a different person.
Yousef was elected to council in 2018. He was forced to step away from his seat at the council table in May of 2025, when he was charged with four counts of assault – involving four separate alleged victims. The Crown also brought one count of pointing a firearm, and another charge of unsafe storage of a firearm.
READ ALSO: Four sexual assault charges laid against Maple Ridge city councillor
Yousef retains his councillor salary – more than $61,000, and benefits.
“I want to clarify that council does not have the legal authority to discipline, remove, or otherwise take action against an elected official in these circumstances,” continued Ruimy. “Under provincial legislation, when an elected official is charged with a criminal offence, they are required to step away from their duties, and continue to receive remuneration while the matter is before the courts. Council is obligated to follow that statutory framework.
“If an elected official is convicted, provincial legislation sets out the circumstances under which they would be disqualified from holding office.
“It is essential that due process be respected. Council must act within the law and cannot interfere in an ongoing legal proceeding.
Selina Robinson, former MLA for Coquitlam-Mallairdville and cabinet minister, commented under Ruimy’s post that she was responsible for getting the provincial legislation passed.
“The principle is the notion of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ …. It used to be that there was no requirement to even step away once charged were laid,” commented Robinson. “The legislation requires the accused to step away until they deal with the charges. If there is a guilty plea, or they are found guilty then things can proceed accordingly.”
She also clarified that Yousef’s pay would not continue after the October election, unless he is re-elected.
Some argued under Ruimy’s post that he should be suspended without pay. Others that Yousef should have resigned his seat once charged.
The need for provincial legislation governing municipal politicians accused of crimes was highlighted by the case of Pitt Meadows city councillor Dave Murray, who was charged with sexual assault in 2016, and convicted in 2018. He was charged with molesting a teenage girl 25 years earlier, but there was no legal requirement for him to step down from council when he was charged.